Are "Thank you cards" a lost art?

It's your birthday and you receive a card in the mail from your Aunt. You open it up and find some money. You put the money in your wallet and set the card next to the other ones your friends and family have given you. Now what?

Well, if you grew up in my house, you would sit down and write a 'Thank you note" to your Aunt. My Mom taught me the importance of acknowledging gifts, letters, and other kind deeds shown to me by writing a "Thank you." I think it helps you become more appreciative, not to mention it's the least you can do after someone has done something nice for you.

In recent years however, I have noticed that "Thank you cards" have slowly become less important. In a world where people are living fast paced lives, it seems as if we have become a little selfish. I think it's a tragedy so here is my attempt at making the world a better place:

Lindsey's Tips and Rules for writing "Thank You Cards"

1. To make it easy, always have "Thank you cards" on hand. Spend $10 getting a few different kinds so that you will always have them close by. It isn't very likely that you will write one if you don't have one.
   
2. Buy stamps in advance. Oh, and at the rate stamp prices are rising, you might want to have some 2 cent stamps around too.
   
3. Write the "Thank you" within a week of receiving whatever it is that you need to write the "Thank you" for.
4. Emails and phone calls are nice but there is just something about old fashioned snail mail. I think it means more to the recipient if you take the time to sit down and write your feelings of appreciation in a letter. Who doesn't like getting something in the mail besides credit card applications and bills?
   
5. "Thank you" notes don't have to be novels. Don't think that you have to write a long card to make it mean something. Short and sweet is better than long and forced.
6. Be specific for what you are thanking for. This especially goes for wedding, birthday and shower gifts. It helps if you have someone writing down who gave you what while you are opening gifts.
   
7. When do you write a "Thank you?" I think that whenever someone has gone out of their way to do something nice for you, a note is in order. Now, I'm not saying that if someone smiles at you they deserve a card but if that smile really made your day, why not? I'll let you be the judge.
8. If for some reason you absolutely cannot write a "Thank you" please at least acknowledge what someone has done for you in some other way. It's really embarrassing if they have to ask you if you received their gift. Plus, the chance of them wanting to send something your way again is probably pretty slim.

So there you have it folks! Oh, and don't worry, you're off the hook this time. I won't be hurt if you don't write me a "Thank you" for writing this wonderful post!