On Tuesday, I’ll finally be graduating. Believe me, I’m so desperately looking forwards to it. Anyhow, some people have already started to send me gifts, and in order to avoid a giant pile-up, I wanted to start writing Thank-You notes now, while there’s only been a few.
The problem is whether to type and sign, or write them by hand. My handwriting is awful, so writing them by hand is a slow and painful process. If I use a computer, it’s far easier to read, and since I’m able to type faster, and put my thoughts on paper more easily on a computer, I can personalize each thank you note more, as well as add more to them. The problem is, my mother says that handwritten notes really are a must.
So, what have the Teeming Millions experienced in relation to typed versus hand written notes… What are the opinions here of which would be better when, and which would likely be preferable to use?
Thank you so much!
I don’t know what the correct form would be in etiquette manuals 
- but, I would say hand write them. It makes it seem that much more personal.
I don’t think you have to write a 32 page novel - keep it short & sweet and most people I think would be pleased that you took the time to write rather than “mass mail.” That said, I’m sure whoever you’re writing to would be pleased to think that you acknowledged their gift: not everyone does.
Just had a thought: what you could do is type up a letter that explained all about the day or whatever you wanted to include about that, and then enclose that in a thankyoucard where you can just handwrite the person’s name and any personalised wish you wanted to put. Best of both worlds.
Congrats on your graduation, btw
I agree with your mother. I believe a handwritten note is more sincere and personal. This might be in an etiquette book somewhere. I am pretty sure all thank you notes should be handwritten. 
handwrite.
Everyone is on to the Substitute Word feature available on word procesing programs.
I agree that if you wanted to enclose a note telling about your plans, etc, by all means do so.
If it really takes that long and your handwriting is that bad, you need the practice anyway.
No, no, no. No offence, carodin, but this is hte worst possible solution: the reason you avoid typing is that typing looks like you wrote everyone the same letter. The system you are describing confirms that you wrote everyone the same letter–everyone knows that’s what the little “personal fringes” are for. It looks tacky,and it dosen’t add anything. Those little personal fringes that you were going to add are all you need anyway, so that system dosen’t even save you any amount of writing. Thank you kotes only have to be three sentences long, and it is more important to be prompt than it is to be fancy, clever, or beautiful. Just write:
Dear (name0,
Thanks so much for thinking of me. I love the (blank), and it will come in handy(practical gift) /look great (decorative gift) when I start (name of college) in the fall. Love, (Name)
For checks, this is a good
Thanks so much for thinking of me! I really appriciate the (amount). I will be mentally sending you thanks again next fall, when this pays for (blank) for school/my new place. Love, (Name).
Manda Jo
no offence taken, no worries.
I think we just have a comms glitch
I would agree that a mass mailed card is not the done thing; however, that’s not what I suggested. I suggested that he personalise individual cards keeping the sentiment short and sweet, and then enclose a typed letter giving info about the day - what the weather was like, what they celebration lunch was like blah blah. General gossipy info.
An American friend of mine would always send personalised, handwritten christmas cards, but would enclose a “family” letter that was mass produced.
There’s a life-lesson to be learned here…
While “Miss Manners” and her ilk publish books by the dozens about etiquette in specific situations, know that etiquette is not limited to formal events (weddings, graduations, funerals, etc). A good sense of etiquette will create in you strong social skills and an ease with people which will reward you later on.