Is it really necessary to send an additional thank you card in the mail, if the person giving the gift is present when it's opened? No, if you thank someone at the time they give you the gift, you do not have to send a thank you note. However, if the person when to a lot of effort (made you a quilt, found some rare thing you collect, etc) it is a very nice thing to let them know how much it meant to you with a little note. We all like personal mail and we all get very little of it. So five minutes of your time and a 39 cent stamp can really add joy to the giver's day.

I hosted a Christmas party for my husband's clients. Several guests brought gifts. Should I send out thank you notes for the hostess gifts? The hostess gifts you received were a token of appreciation for your hosting and you do not need to send a thank you. However, I always think a quick note of thanks, not only for the gift, but for the company, is a nice touch.

A work associate and his family watched my dog for a few weeks while I went on vacation. They refused any payments I offered. I even left money in an envelope and they returned it. I want to show my appreciation without insulting them. What is a good thank you gift? Since they have refused and then returned money, you cannot buy or give them anything without (as you say) insulting them. Write them a nice thank you note and in a few weeks or months, take them all out to dinner.

My mother-in-law recently passed away and my husband and I have received a lot of sympathy cards from friends. It's very nice to know that we have so many people thinking of us. I was just wondering though if we need to send thank you cards to let them know we received their nice cards? It is entirely up to you. When it comes to the death of a loved one, people are not expected to do anything unless they wish to. The thinking is that it is a very difficult time and everyone handles grief differently. Some people need to retreat into themselves for reflection, some need to reach out to others. If there are notes or

cards that particularly touch you and you want to write back, you certainly may. No one who sent a card or a casserole will (or should) be upset if they hear nothing, though.

Due to a recent illness many people sent me get well cards. Do I need to send thank you cards to the well wishers? No, not unless you feel like doing so. If they made an effort to write a long newsy letter,that is worth some return correspondence on your part,but the cards were just to say hello and let you know they were thinking of you.