How long is okay for thank yous?

LoveyFNR · October 2010

My shower was on Saturday and I picked up my thank yous and have started filling them out. Just curious what is considered appropriate for the time length on thank yous. I wanted to mail them out by tomorrow but I've had SO much going on that I'm not sure I'll have them all done until this weekend.

I had about 13 people at my shower so there isn't that many to write out and I just don't want to appear as an ass for taking so long. Is nearly 2 weeks to receive your thank you in the mail okay or should I bust myself and finish them up a little sooner?

JCragg · October 2010

You are fine. For wedding it's up to a year, so I would say before the baby is born or up to six months after. Personally I would do them right away because I hate doing them.

pam1005 · October 2010

I would say that is just fine. It took me nearly three weeks to get mine out with all that I had going on (I also had 65 to write). I usually expect that it will take people at least a week to even get them in the mail.

BallSox · October 2010

Ok, there really is no reason that you can't have 13 thank you's done in a couple of days, esp without having a newborn around.

Honestly, I got 20 done in a couple of hours. Just commit to sitting down and writing them. The longer you wait to do them, the more likely they are to get forgotten.

"Dear so-and-so,

It was so great to see you at the shower on Sat! I'm so excited that baby is coming into a world so full of loving and supportive people like you. I can't wait for him/her to get to know you better as he/she gets older.

Thank you, as well, for the blanket/clothes/giftcard! It's going to come in handy on those cold winter days/special occasions/late night trips to the store for emergencies/buying the crib we've picked out/etc.

H and I are so incredibly blessed to have someone as caring and generous as you in our lives and we can't wait for baby to arrive to become a part of our family!

Sincerely,

you"

It's not a novel, it's still personal, it takes less than 5 minutes a card. Don't be lazy.

ywia.

Jenniferk08 · October 2010

I think 2 weeks is fine. I've never sat down and really thought about how long it takes someone to write me a thank you. when it was my bridal shower I have about 60+ guests and wrote out about 10 each night until they were done.

laurapalmer · October 2010

I would try to get them in the mail within a week, especially since you don't have that many to do.

missstacylynn25 · October 2010

I would NOT stress about it. Within a month is ok--it sounds like you'll have them out within a week. You're a rockstar.

My shower is right before my school-wide PhD oral exams and I will NOT be getting written for at least a few weeks after the shower. People understand! Just don't wait until his/her 1-year Birthday.

backinpgh · October 2010

Two weeks is totally fine. But if I were you, I'd just do them and get it over with. Things like that are so easy to forget about and fall through the cracks, then before you know it you'll have a little baby and you'll be here asking if it's okay to send your thank you notes 7 months after the baby shower! LOL

ktwilley · October 2010

Two weeks is fine, but I wouldn't go much over that.

mypreciouscargos · October 2010

Here's a thank you etiquette guide that might help answer your question.

FirefightersWife01 · October 2010

A few weeks is no big deal. I think if people get "Thank Yous" out within 6-8 weeks that is an acceptable time frame.

BLM10 · October 2010

Up to a month is reasonable to me, but since you only have 13 and have already started, I don't know why it would take more than a few days. And the 1 year rule for wedding gifts annoys me... do 5-6 a day and be done in no time!

TheDreamingTree · October 2010

BallSox:
Ok, there really is no reason that you can't have 13 thank you's done in a couple of days, esp without having a newborn around.
Honestly, I got 20 done in a couple of hours. Just commit to sitting down and writing them. The longer you wait to do them, the more likely they are to get forgotten.
"Dear so-and-so,
It was so great to see you at the shower on Sat! I'm so excited that baby is coming into a world so full of loving and supportive people like you. I can't wait for him/her to get to know you better as he/she gets older.
Thank you, as well, for the blanket/clothes/giftcard! It's going to come in handy on those cold winter days/special occasions/late night trips to the store for emergencies/buying the crib we've picked out/etc.
H and I are so incredibly blessed to have someone as caring and generous as you in our lives and we can't wait for baby to arrive to become a part of our family!
Sincerely,
you"
It's not a novel, it's still personal, it takes less than 5 minutes a card. Don't be lazy.
ywia.

Thanks, I am going to use your comment as a template for my own shower thank yous!!!

banana468 · October 2010

JCragg:
You are fine. For wedding it's up to a year, so I would say before the baby is born or up to six months after. Personally I would do them right away because I hate doing them.

Not sure where you heard this but that's totally incorrect.

OP, I'd do them as soon as you can. My baby shower was a week ago and our moms hosted it so it was for both sides and HUGE. I have 55 TY notes to write. 35 are done and the other 20 will be finished in the next couple days.

on1yme · November 2010

It took me forever to get mine out.

pawcall · November 2010

I think your timeline is absolutely fine (and much quicker than most).

I was paranoid about this though. My shower was on a Sunday and I had about 30 TY's to send. I sent 10 on Monday, 10 on Tuesday, and the last 10 on Wednesday. I think I was a bit of a freak about it - Anytime within a month gets a thumbs up from me. Longer than that is pushing it, IMO.

Corts · November 2010

Personally, I think all the thank you's should be mailed out in one group. Especially if there are a lot of family members involved. Then you won't have to deal with "Oh I heard X got her card last week, they must not have liked my gift as much" or "gee isn't she going to send ME one too?"

Some people are paraniod about thank you cards. Avoid ruffled feathers by any means.

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