I wanted to start a poll but I guess I can't (I know, I know: I need to subscribe :tongue2: ); maybe it will be better this way...

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays)
if a friend or neighbor brings a plate of cookies just because or a meal when you have a family crisis (illness, birth, death...)
after being treated to dinner by a friend at their home or a restaurant
only for major social events: Bridal or Baby showers, weddings, graduations
only when I receive a gift from an elderly family member or friend who expects it
I call the person and thank them over the phone, or I send an email
I return the favor by inviting the person to lunch or dinner, at my home or a restaurant
hardly ever... my family & friends know I/we appreciate them and whatever they give or do
never, I'm a social pariah
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way?

Is this how your parents did it?

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO?

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?
4. only for major social events: Bridal or Baby showers, weddings, graduations

This one is most closely what I do. Funerals are included, too (for flowers definitely, maybe for food)

Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way?

I guess it could be the norm. I have gotten TYs for kids birthday gifts but not always. And, yes, I read them and then throw them away. I don't keep them.

I've never gotten a TY for dinner or cookies or anything like that.

Is this how your parents did it?

My mom made us write TY notes for birthday gifts, graduation gifts, etc.

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO?

I do them all, even for his family. We don't get TYs from his family (in California) at all. A phone call is sufficient for them.

I recently sent his neice and nephew money for graduation and his other nephew a b-day gift and they (or the parents) didn't even call to say they got the package, let alone thank us for them. :dunno:

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays)

Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations)
I'm not sure. I have gotten thank yous from a few people for birthday gifts, but more often people email me their thanks.

If no, then why do YOU do it this way?
My parents raised me to send thank yous. If someone was nice enough to think of you, then you should at least thank them. I think email is a little impersonal (IMHO), and I just never think to pick up the phone. I always have DH write thank yous for Christmas presents as well, and I plan to teach Riley to thank people for giving her presents. Right now I just have her "sign" her name. :)

Is this how your parents did it?
:nod:

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO?
I usually write them and have DH sign them. But if he's the only one who received something (in my extended family, we draw names to pick gifts), then he writes it. But if it's a joint gift, I'll write it basically because it will get done.

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays)
if a friend or neighbor brings a plate of cookies just because or a meal when you have a family crisis (illness, birth, death...)
after being treated to dinner by a friend at their home or a restaurant not usually, but I could see it happening if I felt strongly that I wanted them to know again how much I appreciated it
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way? I do it because it makes me feel that I'm doing the right thing by formally thanking someone who did something nice for me - I do think most people around here send them, but I have a few friends/relatives who I've noticed do not

Is this how your parents did it? sure is!

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO? me and only me, despite my trying to get DH to do some :rolleyes:

I only know 1 person that has sent out TY cards in my entire life. :lol: My cousins wedding about 4 years ago but she only sent it to a few people. We dont send TY cards because we ALWAYS thank people in person. Gifts are opened at baby showers and birthday parties and thank yous go right along with them.

When you buy invitations in the store you always see the invitation stack low but the TY cards arent missing a pack. :lol:

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?
after being treated to dinner by a friend at their home or a restaurant
only for major social events: Bridal or Baby showers, weddings, graduations
I call the person and thank them over the phone, or I send an email


Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way?
I don't know. It seems to be. I don't expect a thank you card from anyone, but it's always nice to get one. I do a lot over email anymore.

Is this how your parents did it?
Yes, pretty much.

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO?
Of course me. Dh couldn't be bothered with such a thing.

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays) Yes
if a friend or neighbor brings a plate of cookies just because or a meal when you have a family crisis (illness, birth, death...) Yes for the meals when the girls were born, not usually for just a plate of cookies or treat for the kids
after being treated to dinner by a friend at their home or a restaurant Yes, usually in the form of a card thanking my girlfriend for the time we spent together, or reciprocal invitation
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way? I was brought up to always send TY's...as kids we weren't allowed to wear, play with or spend any gifts we were given until the TY was written, addressed and stamped to be mailed.

Is this how your parents did it? Yes

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO? I write them and usually just sign my name but say "Darrell and I appreciate...." or something like that. For the girls, I write as though they are speaking, sign their name, and then they color on it before I send it out. At 1 & 2, I want to get in the habit of sending TY's now, and as they get older, they'll be expected to contribute more to the actual TY note.

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?


for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays) Yes, but I do have agreements with some people that we don't have to send notes, my sister, my SIL. We just talk or e-mail, but sometimes I send a note too.
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way? This is how I was raised.

Is this how your parents did it? Yes

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO? I write them all.

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

only for major social events: Bridal or Baby showers, weddings, graduations
I call the person and thank them over the phone, or I send an email
I return the favor by inviting the person to lunch or dinner, at my home or a restaurant (I think these ones apply to me the most. Formal thankyous only for weddings, baby gifts and sympathy cards. Everyone is thanked in person, over the phone or via email for every gift or gesture.)
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way? I'd say this was normal, but I know people that don't give thanks at all. I'm still waiting to hear if my niece received her birthday present back in March :disbelief

Is this how your parents did it? I'm not sure how to answer this. Of course they thanked people for gifts but I don't think they ever sent formal thankyou notes. I know I never did as a child.

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO? Me.

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays)
if a friend or neighbor brings a plate of cookies just because or a meal when you have a family crisis (illness, birth, death...)
Both of these sum up what I do. I think any time anyone goes out of their way to be helpful or giving, a thank you in in order.

Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way?
I think for most people it is. I pretty much always recieve thank yous for birthday parties and such. Although, I'm still waiting for a thank you for a wedding we went to last October. :rolleyes:

Is this how your parents did it?
Nope. My mother never sends out thank yous for anything. Of course, she never sends out Christmas cards either, but that's another issue. :lol:

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO? I do. If it's for one of the kids, I write it as though they're speaking and have them color on it. Ellie can actually write her name now, so it will be neat to see her do that this year. :)

ok, I sort of started this so I should respond too :tongue2: .

When I lived with my grandparents, my Grandma sat me down the moment I got a present so I could write a TY note. I don't remember my mother ever doing so, nor do I remember her writing any. She'd call people up to acknowledge receipt of the gift and then make a reciprocal gift or take them out to lunch or dinner. So, I followed my mom's example in this.

I had a really hard time getting my TY's done after the wedding and felt annoyed that it was all on me... the liberated female in me felt like there was a double standard in there and it totally pissed me off that I was on the hook for the TYs but not my husband. And when my mother complained that her friends hadn't yet received a TY I told her to explain to them that she never set the example for me... that ticked her off but it also got her to back off.:blush1: Not my finest moment as an adult. I always acknowledge gifts via phone calls or email, then express my gratitude by telling the gift giver how their gift has improved my/our life. I struggle to get that little card written out and mailed tho, it must be some psychological thing that I need to conquer. DH couldn't care less, so that doesn't help. MIL, of course, cares very much.

In my circle of friends, I'd say it's about half and half: some people are almost fanatical about sending TYs and others are as laissez faire as I tend to be.

I should move to Louisiana. :nod:

When do YOU (the corporate family YOU) send out TY cards?

for every gift received (Showers, Weddings, birthdays -- including kid birthdays)
if a friend or neighbor brings a plate of cookies just because or a meal when you have a family crisis (illness, birth, death...)
I also sometimes send one to people that have let us stay with them (in their house)
Is what you do the norm in your neck of the woods? (there ARE regional variations) If no, then why do YOU do it this way?
I don't think it's the norm here to send TYs as much; people seem to be getting more casual about it (email, phone call, in person TY instead).

Is this how your parents did it?
Yep. My mom always had us sit and write thank yous.

And finally, when TY cards are written, who writes them? you or DH/DW/SO?
ALWAYS me!