I need Miss Manners help...

[Felicia]

While my son was in the hospital he received balloons with cards from a few people, one also included a board game with the balloons and card. Now that he is home, he has received a card from his entire class and card from the principal and assistant principal.

QUESTION:
Do you send/write a thank you card for these? I thought he should send one to the family that send the balloons, card, and game but was told by a friend not to. She said she didn't think you send a thank you for an unexpected reason (hospital stay).

What do you think????

 

[Ellester]

I don't think you can ever go wrong sending a thank you note. I don't know that I would do it for a card and/or balloons, but I definitely would for the board game. It is good practice and just polite in my opinion.

 

[debster812]

My own opinion (and I am CERTAINLY NOT Miss Manners ):

I would certainly not expect a thank you for anything I had sent to someone for a hospital stay. But I would be delighted and tickled to get one.

If he feels up to writing them, go for it.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

I agree with the other posters. I would have him send something when he is feeling better, just a thank you for thinking of me maybe.

PS hope is is feeling better

 

[cassie]

Gosh, I never thought about thankyou notes for a hospital stay. My receiving them during a stay, or giving to one in a hospital, or being confined to home during an illness or accident. You've opened my eyes, and I'm sure a note to the sender would be very appreciated.

 

[Kasmir]

I hope your son is feeling better...

While I think a verbal "thank you" is fine for the cards, I always think it's appropriate to acknowledge any gift, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the gift, with a thank you note.

A simple "Thank you for cheering me up!" would be more than sufficient.

 

[Pat]

I would think a verbal thank you for the cards, but a card for the game, etc. would certainly be appreciated.

 

[bclydia]

I agree that you needn't send a thank you for the cards but that you should assist your son to send one to anyone who sent a gift. It's a good teaching opportunity with your son. If he's too young to write, maybe he could draw a picture.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I would send a card. It is a nice way tolet that person know you appreciate their thoughts and time.

Also I great way to teach your son some etiquette. I do agrre if he is too young to write he probaly woudl enjoy making a picture for the person.

 

[ORD2KOA]

Hi, Felicia. I hope your son is feeling better.

Trusting that he is, he should definitely send thank you cards.

First of all, it's "proper" to do so; and second, it's good for your son to learn (no matter what his age) that he should thank someone who took the time to wish him well.

Depending on his age, the cards can be preprinted "thank you" notes and he can just sign his name, or they can be blank, and he can write a little note.

If you're not accustomed to sending this sort of note, and you would prefer that he handwrite them, all they have to say is something like:

"Thank you for the (card/balloons/whatever) when I was in the hospital. It really cheered me up. (Or made me smile, or made me happy, or something like that. It should just be a nice commend about whatever was sent.)"

The note doesn't have to say much. Just mention what was sent, and thank the person. If there's too much "white space" left on the page, he could add that he's feeling better now. A BIG tip if you don't like to write notes....buy small cards, or cards w/o a lot of writing space on them.

It's a good habit for him to get into, and is always appreciated by the person who took the trouble to send something.

 

[CEDmom]

Whenever someone takes the time to send their best wishes for a speedy recovery, condolences for a loss etc you should acknowledge it with a thank you. Whether these wishes included a gift or just a card they should all be acknowledged. As far as the card to the entire class you can just send one note.

I'm really glad your DS is home and hope he's up and about soon .

BTW, every gift should be considered an unexpected one. No one is ever obligated to give a gift under any circumstances. Although in many situations it is of good manners to do so.

 

[Christine]

I'd send a small card (you can get those small Thank You packs at BJs). Have your son write Thank You inside and write his name. It will thrill the people who sent him the card/gift, etc.

As far as the kids at school doing a card, I probably wouldn't send anything like a note. You could do nothing at all (the kids just probably got a kick out of doing the project), you could ask the teacher if your son could thank the class when he returns, or you could send in a batch of cupcakes when he returns and have the teacher present them by saying "these are from (insert name) and he was so happy from receiving your good wishes that he wanted to bring in cupcakes."

 

[suzannen]

Love the cupcakes idea! If not that, than a large card that the teacher could put up on the wall for all of the students to see. It will make them feel special.

And, yes, I would get preprinted cards for my child to send, even for the balloons with cards. It's a nice gesture.

It's an easy way to acknowledge someone else's kindness and also lets the sender know that you actually received whatever they sent.

Lastly, I have never heard of anyone being offended by receiving a thank you, but know of many who are extremely offended if they aren't.