Thank You Note Etiquette

1. Try to start writing thank-you notes as gifts are arriving, in some cases this may be before the wedding if you choose to open gifts as they are sent to your home.

2. Do not try to do 100 thank you notes all at once. Your sincerity will dwindle and your hand will cramp up!

3. Most brides (and grooms) would love to hear that they have anywhere to 6 months to a year to get thank-you notes done, but this is an inappropriate amount of time to wait to acknowledge your "Thanks". Gifts sent prior to the wedding should have thank you cards sent within 2 weeks and gifts opened post wedding should be done within 1 month. Anything later then a month sends the impression that the gifts and time spent looking for a gift for you and your newlywed spouse were not fully appreciated.

4. When opening the gifts, try to have yourself or someone else describe the gift as much as possible so you will be able to identify the gift you received very well once the time comes to write the thank-you note. You can try to record a positive emotion you felt when you first saw it. People love to hear how much you love their gift choices.

5. If you received money as a gift, thank them for the money and try to say how you and your spouse plan on using it. If you used it for furniture or a new appliance, the giver would love to hear that!

6. Try to write the thank-you note and then immediately after, write the envelope out and place the note into the envelope. You would not want to get the thank you note mixed up in someone else's envelope by mistake.

7. Try to split the task of note writing between you and your spouse. If you don't know your husbands Aunt very well, ask him to write the note instead. This doesn't have to just be a one person job.

8. And lastly, try your best to not "hand deliver" thank you notes. People like to get these kinds of gestures in the mail.