Etiquette Everyday ~ Holiday Etiquette

Holiday Giving & Receiving: FAQs

There are plenty of opportunities to give during the holidays. Some situations pose more questions than others. Here are some of the inquiries we answer time and time again—about family, friends, and all those cards:

Is it necessary to write thank-you notes to family members?

If you’ve thanked someone in person for a gift, a thank-you note isn’t obligatory. But, it’s never wrong to write a thank-you note. If you receive gifts from family members that you won’t see to thank in person, write them a thank-you note—both to let them know their gift arrived and that you liked it. Remember that relatives from ‘the old school’ may still expect a written note even if thanks were given in person.

If you've only been dating someone a short while, how do you decide how generous to be with your holiday gift?

The amount you spend on the gift should be a balance of your affection for the person and your budget. Anything too expensive or extravagant may send a message about the seriousness of the relationship—which could in turn cause confusion. Don’t let something like holiday gift conundrums complicate a budding relationship: there’s no downside to keeping things simple.

I have a lot of non-Christian friends, is it rude to send them cards, even if they are nondenominational?

No, as long as you chose the right kind of card. Cards that offer the message “Seasons Greetings”—with no religious figures, messages or symbols on it—are appropriate for a wide range of friends and acquaintances, regardless of their religious preference.

Is it OK to e-mail my holiday greetings instead of mailing cards?

Yes—if your intended recipients are frequently online and you're fairly certain that they would welcome this type of greeting. Your great aunt Sara, who cherishes your handwritten notes, may still prefer a traditional card. Others, too, might rather have a traditional paper greeting. (Maybe you'll want to ask a few of your friends about their preferences). There's nothing "wrong" about e-greetings, though. And the benefits? You can wait until the last minute and you can even attach pictures. Just be careful about sending personal e-mails to people's work addresses. Many companies have policies against receiving and sending personal e-mail at work.

^Top^