Dear Diane,
Every year I start to receive birthday cards and gifts from my family as early as one month ahead of time. I appreciate their thoughtfulness and always look forward to reading their birthday greetings. Is it polite to immediately call to say “Thank you” for the gifts, or better to wait until after my birthday has officially taken place?
Steven F.
Dear Steven,
Your family would enjoy knowing that their gifts have arrived safely, and also hearing how much you appreciate their kindness and good will. You mention a call, but a handwritten note would be an extra special touch. Make the call, or send your thank you note out as soon as you receive each gift and you will be both courteous and thoughtful. A modest investment in quality stationery will give you one more reason to look forward to sending out your notes of gratitude.
For more of my birthday etiquette tips, check out my article on The Huffington Post.
Happy birthday,
Diane
You may also like Thank You Note Etiquette Questions Answered. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
