how do you properly thank someone after staying at their house for the holidays?
November 5th, 2009
raha asked:
i spent 2 weeks of holiday vacation (including xmas and new year) at my aunt’s house. I had a wonderful time; everyone was really courteous, and i got along really well with my cousins. However, i don’t know how to properly thank them. Phone calls, gifts, emails, letters…what should i do to show my appreciation? What should i say?
THOMAS
i spent 2 weeks of holiday vacation (including xmas and new year) at my aunt’s house. I had a wonderful time; everyone was really courteous, and i got along really well with my cousins. However, i don’t know how to properly thank them. Phone calls, gifts, emails, letters…what should i do to show my appreciation? What should i say?
THOMAS
Categories: Etiquette | Tags: Holidays, New Year, Phone Calls
Nicole
Send them a thank you card.
Timothy
Thank You card in the mail will do the trick. They will know you were very thankful~
Mawuli
Keep it simple. Mail your aunt a thank you card and place all of the names of the people, that made your stay a good one, on the card. Phone calls and e-mails, while nice, don’t have that lasting effect as a card would.
Eileen
I would send them a bouquet of flowers with a thank you note attached.
Carrie
Send them a nice gift card for dinner at a local restaurant and a thank you card. Tell them how much you appreciated them letting you stay for two weeks and how good it was to see them.
JOE
I truly believe that a handwritten note is always the way to go.
Tell them just what you said in your question. You had a wonderful time, loved being with your cousins. Speak from the heart, tell them how much you enjoyed the food, company and the laughs.
If you have the money a gift of flowers is always a nice thank you. If you took pictures, send via email or snail mail some favorites.
SHELIA
Send them a card but make sure you write plenty on there. A card isn’t personal if the only things written on there are the names of the people and your name. Write down all the reasons they made your stay wonderful and make sure the card will really show them how grateful you are. Hope that helps!
Sarah
I believe a very kind note to them would be ever so good.You could use nice paper and write it yourself.I am sure your aunt would see your thankfulness.If you find a nice poem…that speaks of family and caring …add it to.Maybe add a ribbon to the paper by putting holes in it and tyeing a bow of the ribbon or just let it hang…small personal touches of this make a lot of love go from you to them for the love they gave to you .Hand deliver it and say thank you with a smile as you do.
Yosiris
I would send them a card and send a Harry and David gift basket or make a gift basket especially for them.
Julie
A thank you note, hand written, that includes why you appreciate their hospitality will be appreciated by your aunt. So much so that she will likely show it to her friends with pride.
Robin
Not a card; Miss Manners would NOT approve.
At least, write a nice letter, thanking them, and telling them how good a time you had.
If you have a couple of favorite memories, include those “I’ll never forget …” [amusing or especially kind incident, or typical moment of your visit].
Since it was such a long stay, I would say that a present would be in order, too.
Something for the household or the whole family. Is there something they have that needs replacing?
Something they need?
Any goodies they’d all like? (Food always works — you know, gift basket of fancy nummies kind of thing.)
Even if it’s just a token thing.
A real, actual letter, not email, would be best.
Chris
There are many good answers on here. I particurally like the gift certificate for dinner, but a personal note/card is important.
Family gernarally is excited at the idea of having family over. They probably loved the fact that you were willing to visit, at least that’s my idealistic vision of family.
“Dear …….,
Thank you so much for making room in your home for me over the holidays. My stay was very inviting and comfortable and I really enjoyed getting to spend time with family and getting to know you better. Again, thank you and please know you are as welcome in my home as I was in yours.
Love,
xxx.”
Or some spin on that.
LISA
Women like cards. Don’t ask me way though. My mother has saved every, I mean EVERY, card she has received from my brothers and sister.
How about a framed colleague from pictures taken during you stay?
Another thing I’ve done, but don’t tell mom, she thinks she’s losing it………lololol, slip a fifty dollar bill (whatever you can afford) into her purse. Nothing needs to be said, because she may feel insulted. We know what it would have cost to stay in a hotel/motel and the meals are nowhere near as good as home.
Trystan
The best way to say thank you is to leave. After two weeks, it’s time to go home. Then you can send them an edible arrangement to thank them for their hospitality or even if you just send them a card. But most importantly, just leave. I’m not saying this to be mean at all. But no matter how much they enjoyed your company, 2 weeks is a long time to have someone staying in your home that your not used to and they will appreciate that you knew it was time to leave. Good Luck!
Daniel
Sometimes the best way to thank your host is to simply clean up all the empty beer bottles and replace the windows you broke.
Larry
say thank you, and make something…like cookies for them. Have some cookies with tea with everyone before you leave. they’ll be happy as long as you clean up the kitchen!
Gwen
Return all the stuff you stole.
Seriously a small gift with a note would be perfect….maybe a potted plant, or a fruit basket.
QUOVADIA
At least a thank-you card, and possibly a gift.
Betty
You should send a Thank You note at the very least. If you can afford it, send a small bouquet with a note.
Just let them know you really enjoyed the time you spent with them and appreciate the hospitality extended to you.
MARK
You should have given them a gift when you reach their house. So now you may want to send them a thank you card. “Thank you so much for your kind hospitality”