Thank You note timeline

BmoreBride311

What is the timeline ettiquette for writing thank you notes? I know technically you should send thank you's as you receive gifts, but what is the grace period?

We just got an email from FMIL that our first gifts off our registry arrived (we are having things stored at her house). I wasn't expecting anything this early (shower invites haven't even gone out) and I don't have Thank You cards ordered yet. I was going to get Thank You cards in time for the shower (in April). Is that too late to send a Thank You card for a gift we received in February?

Madisonpenny

I've heard you should send a thank you note whitin 30 days of receiving the gift.   I think if it was meant as a shower gift you can wait until after the shower but I would send out those cards the day of or day after your shower.

michelle11988

Are they for your shower, if so I'd say wait and open them then and then send out thank you's when you do those.  It sounds like they are engagement gifts so I would say start sending out thank you cards sooner rather than later.  I bought some clearance thank you cards at Hobby Lobby to handle the few people who have sent us gifts so far.  I will probably buy a larger amount from VP but haven't had a chance to do that yet.

butterflyjumper1

i agree with the others. if it is supposed to be an engagement gift, get out a thank you as soon as possible. but if it is a shower gift, it is just fine to wait. it's exciting that you are receiving gifts already!! 

BmoreBride311

Honestly, I think it is the wedding gifts. It is from a couple who we are friends with (the man is one of the GM), but I don't know the woman that well, so I'm not planning to invite her to the shower. We've been engaged for over a year, so I don't think it's engagement gifts.

I think I will just order some thank you cards now and mail them one as soon as they come in.