Thank You Notes

As it's getting closer and closer to our wedding, we've been receiving more and more gifts. I've started writing Thank You notes IMMEDIATELY to get it out of the way. At work recently, a woman was telling me that I have up to 6 months to get my thank you cards out. I smiled. Inside, though, I definitely disagree, and so do most etiquette experts.

All thank yous should be written within 2 months of the receipt of the gift, and proper stationary should be used. Your thank you notes should be personalized and acknowledge the person and gift. Pre-printed thank you notes with a handwritten signature are not appropriate. Writing a sincere thank you will not only show your appreciation for their attendance at your event and their gift, but your guest will admire the special time you took to personally thank them.

Here are the Top 10 Do's and Don'ts of thank you notes (by Emily Post)

1. Do personalize your notes and make reference to the person as well as the gift.
2. Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given.
3. Do be enthusiastic, but don’t gush. Avoid saying a gift is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen unless you really mean it.
4. Don’t send form letters or cards with printed messages and just your signature; don’t use email or post a generic thank you on your wedding web site in lieu of a personal note.
5. Do promptly acknowledge the receipt of shipped gifts by sending a note right away or calling and following up with a written note in a day or two.
6. Don’t mention that you plan to return a gift or that you are dissatisfied in any way.
7. Don’t tailor your note to the perceived value of the gift; no one should receive a perfunctory note.
8. Do refer to the way you will use a gift of money. Mentioning the amount is optional.
9. Don’t include wedding photos or use photo cards if it will delay sending the note.
10. Don’t use being late as an excuse not to write. Even if you are still sending notes after your first anniversary, keep writing!