the art of thank you

one of my new year's resolutions for 2008 (and beyond) involves incorporating an "act of thankfulness" each and every day. i often challenge myself to send out a personal note to a friend, family member, or acquaintance on a daily basis, but i have made it a resolution to express my gratitude through written message or act of service. this is truly a most pleasurable activity that i will never grow tired of! while i am not the craftiest person in the world, i do love to write and i really love to write on beautiful paper. however -- is this a green act? i am torn. first of all, there is nothing better (to me) than a beautifully handwritten letter, complete with postage, weather marks, and creases from someone who cares enough to send ME the very best. i save these letters and feel like i have a little piece of each person who sends them out. it is a simple act, but often involves many resources that could be spared. perhaps it would be easier to send out an email, which never turns in to paper; does not demand usage of precious oil while being transported to and fro; an inexpensive alternative to stamp & stationary buying; and saves time for all of the dedicated usps employees. i am attempting to use my stationary-stash before purchasing anything new (a most difficult task for me). as of right now, i do not include email as part of this resolution, but i am considering it as i PONDER and DEBATE this issue within myself. so, i have consulted with the experts: http://www.nrdc.org/greenliving/

from what i can find, e-cards and email are probably the greenest way to go. i still have some thinking to do on this matter.

three years ago i found this editorial in our local newspaper (around this time of the year), which i promptly cut out and re-read often (around this time of the year!):

In the age of e-mails and text messages, sending a thank you note has become a lost art. Thank you notes require note cards, envelopes and postage - all of which are a rarity these days. So why are fewer and fewer people sending thank you notes? Is it because we're not grateful? Possibly, but not necessarily. Is it because of our harried lifestyle? No, that's a crutch. Is it because we are lazy? Yes, that's probably it. Although the etiquette gurus vary on small nuances of thank yous, all agree that notes should be sent quickly. So if you haven't sent any Christmas thank you notes, now is the time (well, it's actually a little past time, but it's not too late). Expressing gratitude makes us a more gracious people. It forces us to recognize the thoughtfulness of those around us. And they're not just for Christmas, birthdays and weddings. It's appropriate to send thank notes throughout the year for kindness expressed and help given. Certainly Grandma would like to know that you received and appreciated her gift card at Christmas. But even more so, she would like to know that you appreciate her -- whatever the reason."

a few years ago i picked up this book: http://www.amazon.com/Art-Thank-You-Crafting-Gratitude/dp/158270077X
an excellent read for crafting notes for all occasions. i am especially fond of section #7, entitled, "Training and Education: How to Get Children to Write Thank-You Notes." according to the book, some e-cards are okay: better than nothing for sure!

so now i need to teach these two about this dying art and hope that they are as passionate as i am. in the mean time, i have the privilege of sending out thank yous from them too -- using monogrammed stationary, cute little photos included, or a special piece of art from the eldest! some day they will tell their mom to STOP putting words in their mouths!