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Thank-you notes. Those three words may make a bride-to-be's blood pressure rise, and for good reason: They're not something you can offload on someone else; they take time and a certain amount of organization; and it's still not socially acceptable to send them via email (read: You have to painstakingly hand-write them all!). But this age-old etiquette tradition doesn't have to bog you down, especially if you follow our advice for getting them done efficiently. Try these tips:
1. Don't put off the task: Yes, etiquette mavens will tell you have a solid year to get that stack of thank you cards in the mail, but don't cling too tightly to this or use it as an excuse to delay. First of all, while thank-you notes serve as an expression of gratitude, they're also a way to confirm that a.) you received the gift, and, b.) it didn't get misdelivered or stolen at the reception. Believe it or not, some friends and family can get a little anxious about whether their wedding gifts were received, so it's best to tackle thank you notes in the first few months after the wedding. Bonus: The sooner you get them done, the less time you'll waste worrying about getting them done as the months go on.
2. Go bit by bit: Make a goal for yourself (whether it's five cards a night or twenty in one weekend) and stick to it. Chipping away at the project in increments will seem less daunting them devoting an entire day to writing (plus, your hand won't cramp up, either!).
3. Enlist husband help: Here's a shocker: He can write them too! Even if you have better hand-writing, even if he hasn't written a thank you card since the sixth grade, even if he'd, well, rather not—your husband can, and you'll need him to. If writing is not his thing, have him stamp the envelopes and organize the address list.
4. Make it fun: Yes, sitting at your kitchen table for hours doesn't exactly sound like loads of excitement, so trick yourself into it. Turn on some good music, pour a glass of wine (careful not to spill on the stationery!) and make the process more enjoyable.
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