To whom do I address this thank you note?

JustNicki

FI and I just received a gift in the mail from a woman who was invited to my upcoming shower but is unable to attend.  The shower is hosted by FMIL's friends, and I have never met this woman.  I thought it was so thoughtful of her to send us a gift.  The note that came with the package said, "Dear JustNicki and FI.  Sorry to miss the shower.  I am out of town until May 1.  Enjoy the day!  Emily Brown."  

It sounds like the gift is a shower gift, right?  Although she and her husband are close to the FILs, FI only met them once or twice when he was younger.  Is it correct that, in this case, I should be the one to write the thank you note since the gift is for the shower?  Should I address the envelope to Mrs. Emily Brown or should I include her husband? What about the inside of the note?  Since I have never met her, should I also write, "Dear Mrs. Brown" instead of using her first name?

NYCMercedes

Dear Mrs. Brown, Thank you for the gift. FI and I plan to use it when we.... Sorry you couldn't make it to the shower. We look forward to seeing you on May 11 (wedding date)...., Love, Justnicki. You address the note to her because she sent it to you. You address her as Mrs. as she is a generation older than you and still an acquaintance. Include your FI's name in how you're (both) going to use the gizmo. Sign your name only as you are writing the note.

HisGirlFriday13

Address it: Mrs. Emily Brown

Salutation: Dear Emily

Signed: love, JustNicki and FI

It sounds like it is a shower gift, so just be gracious in your thank-you note. Sign it from you both.

huskypuppy14

JustNicki said:

FI and I just received a gift in the mail from a woman who was invited to my upcoming shower but is unable to attend.  The shower is hosted by FMIL's friends, and I have never met this woman.  I thought it was so thoughtful of her to send us a gift.  The note that came with the package said, "Dear JustNicki and FI.  Sorry to miss the shower.  I am out of town until May 1.  Enjoy the day!  Emily Brown."  

It sounds like the gift is a shower gift, right?  Although she and her husband are close to the FILs, FI only met them once or twice when he was younger.  Is it correct that, in this case, I should be the one to write the thank you note since the gift is for the shower?  Should I address the envelope to Mrs. Emily Brown or should I include her husband? What about the inside of the note?  Since I have never met her, should I also write, "Dear Mrs. Brown" instead of using her first name?

This is what I do, and someone can correct if it's not etiquette approved: If I get a gift that is addressed to me, from Emily Brown, I would write the note to Emily, and only sign my name at the bottom. If the card is addressed to both me and FI, I would sign both our names. If it was from Emily and her husband John, I would write Dear Emily and John....

I think it's up to you how formal you want to be, but I usually follow their lead in how I address the thank you note. If they sign it: Love Aunt Susan and Uncle Joe, I'll write Dear Aunt Susan and Uncle Joe....

JustNicki

Hmm... Well, I've definitely got the content down, but it looks like I'm still going to be confused about the salutation.  

laurynm84 said:

If I get a gift that is addressed to me, from Emily Brown, I would write the note to Emily, and only sign my name at the bottom. If the card is addressed to both me and FI, I would sign both our names. If it was from Emily and her husband John, I would write Dear Emily and John....

That makes a lot of sense to me.  The note was to both FI and me, so I guess I'll sign both of our names.  Or maybe I'll just sign mine and mention FI in the note (FI and I are so looking forward to using the wine glasses at our next cocktail party!).

Pellegcm

I haven't received any gifts yet, but as a teacher I have always erred on the side of being overly formal rather than informal. A parent (or gift giver) can always say, "Oh, please call me Emily!" or something of that nature. But until I'm told otherwise, I always address people as Mr. or Mrs.