Writing Thank yous?

sinnedambition

If a person (who is unable to attend the shower) sends a gift card, should you write in the thank you what you are using the gift card for?

Ex: My mom's cousin (who I don't think I've ever met in my life!) sent us a 20 dollar gift card because she is unable to attend the shower. We are going to use it to buy the Soap dispensers we want for the bathroom...

Should we mention that we bought the dispensers? And it is "correct" that she should  receive the thank you before the shower?

boogerbearoriginal

Its considered polite to include a mention of how you will use a monetary gift - you don't have to be super specific (ex. we're saving for our first home) but since you already bought them you could just say "Thanks for the gift card we are using it to get the soap dispensers that we've wanted."

Since you mentioned she won't be attending, its nice to add something like "Sorry we won't get to see you at the shower. Hope to see you at the wedding."

You should send the thank you note as promptly as possible so she knows her gift arrived. Its perfectly fine if she recieves it before the actual shower.

ejay

Agreed w/ Booger+Bear.

I mostly kept my 'specifics' more generalized, aka: "TY for the generous gift of money, we cant wait to use it to fill/decorate/furnish our new townhouse in Rochester" something like that. 

kristinandbill

I tried to be as quick and as specific as possible.  I think people are interested in what you do with their gift and as always the sooner the better!

elkay

It's a gracious, personalized touch to say what you are using the gift card for. It's fine to either be specific "those matching soap dispensers we had our eye on", or more general "for special items to finish our master bath decor". But try to be more specific than "thanks, we're going shopping."

Yes, send the thank you now. You have the gift now. Besides, you'll have plenty to write later.

One tip:
I kept a spreadsheet of who sent what, when, and the date I mailed the thank you. It made things a lot easier later when reconciling gift card budgets, bank deposits, etc.