Are emailed thank you cards rude?

Alligator

DS just had his 1st bday party and I am getting ready to send out thank you cards. Most of the people who came were my family members who will not judge me.   I just ordered a thank you card with his picture from the party on it off of etsy. She sent me the file. I was going to have it printed at Walgreens and mail them out. Now I'm contemplating just emailing the file and writing an individualized thank you on the email to each person. DH and my sister say it's a-okay and a sign of the times. However, I keep feeling like some people (older ones in particular) would prefer a handwritten thank you. I just toss mine into the recycling bin when I get them though. What do you think? Email or handwritten and mailed? Thanks!

Temp108743750006959

handwritten

SapphyrEyes

Handwritten.  It's always nice to receive something in the mail that's not a bill!

thejennigirl

Depends on the person.  And whether or not you e-mailed or snail mailed the invites.

I handwrite thank yous and mail them, because I handwrite and mail (or hand deliver) invites.

WiggleBaby

i know handwritten are the traditional etiquette, but personally i agree that emailed is becoming more common/acceptable. you could do email for the younger crowd and only print for people who you know would care or dont have computers (Iike grandparents).

SWBs Wifey

I prefer handwritten... but just the fact that you're thanking them should be enough... unless there are people that are "classic" that you feel should get a handwritten one.  Like- I'll ALWAYS handwrite them for older givers (my grandparents and their friends) because they REALLY appreciate the time it took to write it out. 

I DID send an E-mail thank you to SIL for a shower gift because she was in the process of moving and didn't have an address I could mail one to.

mandyclaire579

If you're doing it to reduce waste, then it would be fine. My friend got married and asked if it would be ok to do a mass photo thank you like the Walgreens Christmas cards. I knew she was doing it because she's lazy and her DH works there. I think an email is fine if it's personal! I mean, a handwritten one would be nice, but who cares? You're just going to throw it away. I'm kinda over cards for that reason. Flame away.

cinderellabella

Handwritten.

SB&J

Agreed, a quick handwritten note is always appreciated. I think even if you thank them in person a note is appropriate & expected.

Lady Galadriel

I vote for hand so they have the picture in hand too. Easier to put straight on the frig.

mrsjjd

I agree with Jenni. If you emailed the invites, email the thank yous. If you snail mailed the invites, do the same for the thank yous. A friend of mind did an eco-friendly party for her daughter, so she emailed the invites and the thank you, so it went with the theme, so I think everyone understood. Justins party is in two weeks, and I will hand write thank yous, because about half the people coming would thank I was horribly rude if I didn't the other half wouldn't even care if they didn't get a thank you at all...You know your group, go with your gut....Could you maybe email the ones that you know would be ok with that, and just print the ones you're unsure of?

Alligator

Alright, I'll go ahead and mail them out. I guess the fact that I feel guilt and had to even write this post proves that I feel like handwritten is the best even though it is a little "silly" in my opinion. Thanks for your advice!

Poonico

Yep, write them

I don't like emailed invites, thank yous, etc.  I don't think it shows the same level of appreciation and personalization.  That's my view though.