Thanking Others: Throughout the Year
There are many people in our lives to whom we owe
our gratitude.
1. Parents and Other Family Members
Model and teach your children the habit of noticing,
appreciating, and thanking family members. Not
only is this right and proper, but it also motivates
good behavior and a pleasant atmosphere.
Thank the cook after each meal and the person who
does the laundry for clean clothes.
Thank children for doing their chores, for being
kind to each other, for going beyond their assigned
duties, etc.
Thank Dad each night for working for the family.
Besides spoken thanks, surprise one another with a
note in Dad's lunch or under your child's pillows, etc.
2. Friends
These are those who love us and our family,
encourage us, stand by us, and help us. We
might be tempted to take our friends for granted,
but how it warms the heart to receive a note like:
"Thank you for all your love, support, and
friendship over the years. Your family means
so much to our family. I just want you to
know that when I say 'I love you guys,' I do mean it
from the bottom of my heart. One of God's
greatest blessings is having friends like you!"
Remember, too, your Pastor and fellow Church
members.
One church that we attended provided space on an
attendance card in which to write a note of
appreciation to a fellow church member. Then
the notes were placed in the offering plate and
mailed to the recipient during the week.
3. Those That Serve Us
Even though the mailman, garbage collector, and
newspaper carrier are paid for their service, they
deserve and appreciate thanks. This is why
many people give them a small gift at Christmas.
Include an attractive tract to enrich your gift with
God's offer of eternal life.
Remember also statesmen, authors, and teachers.
How To Write a Thank-You Note
There are many ways to express your thanks to others:
A Phone Call or a Personal Visit
Thoughtful Gifts and Service
Letters, Notes, and Cards
A thank-you note is a very important expression of
gratitude after you have been a guest at someone's
house for dinner or overnight, received a gift, or
been treated with special kindness and generosity.
1. Write Promptly
Part of the value of a thank-you note is that it is
received soon after the gift or service.
Procrastination often leads to an embarrassing lapse
of time that can discourage you from writing at all.
2. Use Appropriate Materials
Choose a nice card or stationary. You can buy
a preprinted Thank-You card or make your own.
See how to
make
cards from many materials.
Keep a supply of cards or stationary on hand so that
you are prepared to send a thank you immediately.
Always use a pen (not a pencil). Your child
may need to first write out his message on plain
paper and then copy it into the card.
3. Be Specific
Mention the gift or service by name when thanking
the sender.
Say why you like the gift and what you plan to do
with it or how you will enjoy it.
If you enjoyed someone's hospitality, tell them
something specifically that you appreciated.
4. Mail It!
Follow through with putting an address and stamp on
your note or letter and putting it in the mail.
