“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” – A.A. Milne
We all want to to teach our children genuine gratitude and thankfulness. After Christmas is a great time to let everyone get some practice. In the past, we’ve found that while our kids were thankful for gifts from friends and extended family, they struggled with the motivation to write an individual thank you note. We all say thank you in different ways. Some call, Skype, e-mail, or say it in person. That’s great. Call us old-fashioned, but we still try to send snail mail thank you notes when we can. There’s something special about going to the mailbox and finding a hand addressed envelope with a real letter inside.
We started a family tradition a few years ago that helped smooth out the thank you note process. It might be a helpful tradition for you or someone you know. Each year after Christmas, we throw ourselves a Family Thank You Note party, usually around New Years. Often it involves popcorn and hot chocolate. (We try to associate thank you note writing with positive things! And in our house, food is a great motivator!)
This year, thank you notes were written over appetizers at the kitchen counter.
We print up very simple personalized stationery on the computer for a Family Thank You Note.
Rather than have each child write a separate thank you note, we write a group note together. Everyone adds a personal sentence or two, and it doesn’t feel so overwhelming. You’re likely ahead of me on this and your Christmas family thankyous are finished. If not, maybe you can use this idea or save it for the future.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
―Marcus Tullius Cicero
Judy says
Loved getting this sneak peek at the thank-yous coming via snail mail! It’s a lovely Taylor Tradition, yet handwritten thank-yous are a rarity these days. And now, I’d better sharpen my own pencil, hadn’t I?! XOXO
Aunt Pinkie says
What a fun way to get those thank-yous written! And oh, how I approve your teaching your children the importance of thankfulness! It us sadly lacking among today ‘s children and even many adults, more’s the pity! Happy New Year to the Taylor family!
Amie says
This is what our family does as well. Great minds thinks alike!! 🙂
Sarah says
Great idea! I like having everyone’s thank yous on one page! Love it.
nancy mcmahan says
Great idea. My grandkids send out thank you notes and I hope it stays with them.
Dianne says
What a great idea! It makes for good family time that children will always remember.
Jennifer says
Love this!!
Christy says
Love this idea. We do snail-mail thank-yous too, but we’ve always done individual ones. I like the idea of a family thank-you note. I think we’ll get on this today!
Bresca says
I really like the idea of making thank-you-writing an EVENT — with food. Also love the “historically yours.” (:
Madeleine says
what a fun way to do your thank yous! Also, chuckling over Charlie’s note…”historically yours”…too funny!
Ginger Worrell says
Allie, my mother always made us sit down and write thank you notes and I (like you) think it is wonderful. Robbie prefers to do his thanks in person but Ginia loves to write notes and use pretty stationery. And you are so right…..it’s always nice to go to the mailbox and get something addressed by hand from someone you know. Your Charlie is a pistol……I loved his closing “historically yours” so I guess he’s going to be a famous person who will be quoted in the future. Good for him. As always, we miss you down here in the South, but so glad that the Taylor family touched our lives. Extra love to ALL of you……oh, and loved the blog about Sugarbush…..have it bookmarked so I can get something besides Aunt Jemima one of these days. Which do you pefer? The lighter syrup or the darker Amber? I didn’t know there were different shades! xoxoxoxo PS I put Ginia’s new website up there for youall to see how she has progressed with her photography!
Susie says
What a great idea! It always took several reminders to get Julia to write thank you notes. I have to give my mom kudos. She taught us to do the same. As I read this, I could hear her saying, “Amen, Allie!”
Carrie says
Love it, Allie! I often too easily give up trying to get my kids to write “thank yous.” This is the perfect idea!
Linda Jenkins says
Allie, what a great idea! And an amazing family tradition. I will pass this along to my children and grandchildren. As always, thanks for the beauty and simplicity of home traditions. Love you.
[email protected] says
This is making me feel a weeeee bit guilty that I have yet to do any. Naughty me.
Tracy says
Allie this is a wonderful tradition! I used to have my boys write individual notes and it was like pulling teeth to get them to do them. I love how you think. Motivating with food to boot. You are one smart mom!