This issue comes up every year. I think a lot has to do with how a
person was raised. When I was a child, I was made to sit down and write
thank-you notes for gifts I received. I hated every minute of it, and
it was a war every time! But, I was made to do it. I have often thanked
my mother for forcing that on me. I have followed that practice my
whole life. And, I still hate writing them, but I do. (I'm sure I've
missed one or two along the way, but it was never intentional)

I am very conscious of the opposite of that as well. Any time I give a
gift, whether local or through the mail, I expect an acknowledgment. If
one never comes, that person (or organization) never receives another
gift from me. It's not that I want recognition, it's that I want to
know the gift was received. As far as the Giving Tree is concerned,
it is my opinion that if a shelter has the time to photograph, write
about, and post their ferrets to the tree, they darn sure have the time
to acknowledge the gifts they receive. As long as the giver provides
a return address or email, there is no excuse. Each person should be
thanked personally and individually. If no information is provided, I
would think a thank you on the FML is appropriate, with an explanation
that you have no way to directly contact the person.

Do you have any volunteers? I work with a couple of wildlife
organizations who have a volunteer write all of their thank-you notes.

Saying a shelter operator is 'too busy' is a cop-out. If you are
expecting gifts, go ahead and get some cards and stamps. You can spend
ten minutes a day writing a couple of notes. They don't all have to be
done at the same time. Start as soon as you receive the first package
and try to keep up each day. It's really not that hard.

Even if you weren't taught good manners, it's never too late to learn!

Katharine

Florida

[Posted in FML 7989]