Self-addressed thank you note envelopes

kristenpsu

I have been asked to get the thank you notes for my shower before the actual event so that guests can be asked to write their addresses on the envelope.  I know that those who are throwing the shower for me are trying to do me a favor, as they have explained that I will not feel like addressing that many envelopes and writing the thank you's, but I feel as though that is tacky.  I have heard mixed feelings about the topic and was hoping to get some insight from all of you!  Thanks!

Matt Dvorak

My MIL did this for me - bought me the thank yous and handed them out requesting addresses. As I never seem to be able to save anyone's address, I greatly appreciated this over searching old e-mails and sending new ones to figure out addresses :-) Maybe it's tacky, but I was happy to have them!

jessicaclare

I hate this and think its incredibly tacky. When I host a shower, I purchase Thank You notes for the bride/mom to be and include a sheet of pre printed labels. I always have a spreadsheet of the addresses from sending out the invites anyway.

Skibunny07

I also agree this is super tacky and I think its weird for someone to receive a piece of mail that is addressed in their own handwriting. I think the easier thing for you to do is take the list that they use to send out the invites and just print out labels for the envelopes if you are looking to save time. 

ChefSarah22

I think it is pretty tacky, personally. Unless you are talking hundreds of people, take the time to address them yourself.

joelanda11

I would just have your host ask for the address's while you open your gifts along with their names and the gift they brought. Thats what my SIL is planning on doing at mine.

Fisherman'sWife

I know this is wasteful, but I just rewrote the addresses onto new envelopes.  It was helpful to have the addresses right there in front of me so all I had to do was copy it, but at least the guests will get an envelope from me (instead of their own handwriting). 

If your host is asking to do this, maybe see if the invitees can just write it down on a list for you, or ask the host to provide you with the list of addresses that they mailed to. 

hairspray77

Skibunny07:

I also agree this is super tacky and I think its weird for someone to receive a piece of mail that is addressed in their own handwriting. I think the easier thing for you to do is take the list that they use to send out the invites and just print out labels for the envelopes if you are looking to save time. 

This. Plus thank you notes always seem so forced and impersonal to begin with, this just makes it that much worse. 

jill1930

If you have a guest list use the addresses to print labels.

Galaxy8227

It doesn't really bother me either way--I had my MOH (who threw my shower) email me all the addresses and I just did labels off of that so I could be prepared for when I did start to write them--but if they offered to do it this way for me I wouldn't have complained!

I've done it at two other showers and it never bothered me or the people I was with--most that it was a very helpful idea for the mother to be

backinpgh

It is tacky. Your guests have taken the time to shop for a gift and attend your party, you can take the time to write them an ENTIRE thank you note. If your hosts won't get that, just "forget" the thank you notes and ask everyone to sign a guest book with their address so you have the correct information to send the notes out later.

cbwm

:::lurking:::

One of my bridesmaids wanted to do this for my wedding shower as part of a game, and I also feel it's tacky. So, I told her that I'd already bought the TYs and had addressed them based on the RSVP list so get a head start on things.

I then suggested maybe doing some kind of note card with our monogram stampted on it, and then everyone could write advice or well wishes to us or whatever, and that we could randomly pick one card for a game. She was totally receptive to that idea and we loved having the cards as keepsakes.

So, maybe suggest something like that?

Liz4444

Don't do that, it looks like when you go to the dentist and they have you address a post card that they are going to send you in 5 months to remind you to make an appointment.

Personally, I also hate pre-printed address labels (exception being return address), those look like office mailings and I'll often throw out the envelope without even opening it because I would assume it's junk mail from a realator or something.  Writing an address is not that difficult and seriously, it takes 20 seconds.  The host will have a complete list of addresses from sending out the invitations, get a copy of that and write out the note and envelopes yourself. 

cate42807

Why not use this as an opportunity to start creating a labels master list for your Birth Announcements?  I typed and printed my birth announcement labels, put them in an envelope with my stamps and return address labels and figure it will be SO much easier to get the announcements out this way!  

 And if you get them started now you can do double duty!! 

KD+BC

I think it's tacky. Someone must have all of the addresses somewhere if your guests were sent invitations so maybe you can ask the host to help you compile a list of addresses based on the invitations instead.

ktshafra

My aunt had my guests fill these out right before we opened gifts. Then I chose three randomly to "win" little gifts. It really is such a lifesaver! I spent forever writing out addresses for my bridal shower (and wedding). I wish we could do this for every mass mailing (birth announcements, holidays, etc).

jeshapiro

Skibunny07:

I also agree this is super tacky and I think its weird for someone to receive a piece of mail that is addressed in their own handwriting. I think the easier thing for you to do is take the list that they use to send out the invites and just print out labels for the envelopes if you are looking to save time. 

Completly agree!

NickyCicc20

There's not much I find tacky at a shower and I hate writing thank you notes.  That being said, this is the one thing I firmly put my foot down for and think is tacky. 

varkeyr

I wouldn't do it if you already think that it is tacky.Although the hostess is trying to be helpful, it does come across as you can't be bothered to address your own Thank You notes.

Djcieply

I also agree that this is tacky! Computer generated addresses I can understand, just as long as its not a computer generated thank you card, I have gotten those in the past, I would have rather not gotten one at all!

mooninlv

tacky. you're allowed to tell them so - just so you'd rather take care of them yourself.

Nanner22

I seriously can not believe that people do this. Not only did these people (your friends and family) purchase you a gift, they also took time out of their day to celebrate with you. You have time to write them a thank you note (envelope included) - if you had time to unwrap the gift (and then open and use the gifts at home) you have plenty of time to write a note.

I really am in disbelief that people are so lazy they can't address an envelope.

scarlettoctober

I'm not a fan of the trend.  My family and friends are spending their time and money on me - I don't like asking them to address their own thank you notes, too.

JenWhite123

TACKY!!  If your  hostess wants to save you time, then she should address the thank you notes for you........

STLBecca

I guess it depends where you live. I dont get offended by little things like this. Ive done it at several showers..and they did it at mine too.  I know my family doesnt care and doesnt find it tacky...so I didnt think much of it.  I kept reading things online that are proper and things that are tacky..my family told me to quit reading into things so much. Besides the addressess...nothing at my shower was tacky.  I send out thank you notes that are very personal and longer than most. I dont feel that I am upsetting anyone. My shower was Sunday and I am mailing out all the thank yous today. I am a stickler about people getting their thank you's as fast as possible too.

ces25c

I think it's kind of tacky but not as horrible as other things I've seen in regard to thank yous.  If your shower hostess already has their addresses, we are talking about seriously 30 seconds or so to address each card.  When I think of it that way, it seems really silly considering these are people who are bringing you gifts.

If your hostess didn't save the address list or sent invites by email... I don't see anything wrong with having a guest book (just use a cute notebook) or having the hostess come around and ask for everyone's address and make sure they are correct.

Ms.Jade

I agree that it's tacky. It sends the message that though your guest took the time to purchase a gift and come to your shower to celebrate with you, you can't be bothered to take the time to hand write a thank you note. This is also why I don't like labels. 

If I was asked to do this I would conveniently "forget" the cards at home. 

I also LOVE when people say that no one at their shower found something tacky. Oh really? Because I know that when I'm giving someone the side eye for something I'm rarely calling them up to tell them about it. The truth is you have no idea who's talking about you behind your back, or which two friends called each other up before the shower to discuss your 500 item registry, or who's exchanging a glance across the room when being asked to address her own envelope. That's the thing about tacky people- they have no idea just how tacky they are.