Subcontracting Your Thank Yous

I was looking at a site that specializes in matching people up with the idea of hiring someone to do small jobs for you.  This is not your hire someone to mow your lawn kind of small jobs. No, this site specializes in the more unusual. You can get people to write a love poem or research honeymoon destinations.  A variety of things from random people such as someone to send you a birthday card or translate a sentence into another language.

I was horrified (but not surprised really) to see that one of the jobs offered was to write your wedding thank you cards for you.  You give this person $5 per 10 cards and a list of wedding presents and addresses, and they send out handwritten cards.

Please do not do this.

First, it is incredibly bad manners to subcontract out your gratitude. People went to the time and trouble to purchase and send or deliver you a present. It is not too much to ask for you to take 3 to 4 minutes and write them a thank you note. (You can see my earlier post on how to craft a thank you card if you are nervous about writing one. http://etiquetteasilearnedit.blogspot.com/2013/12/time-for-thank-you-cards.html)

Second, you are giving someone you have never met a list of all the shiny new things that live in your house. Maybe they are perfectly trustworthy. Maybe they will have their friend in your driveway with a moving van while you are on your honeymoon.

Third, you just gave this same stranger the names and addresses of your friends and relatives. Maybe they will decide that since Aunt Mabel gave you that $500 vacuum, she obviously has some extra money.  They can be at her house right after they finish at yours.  They could also just sell your family's information.

Save yourself the potential headaches--and the $5--and take the time to properly thank your friends and family for the thoughtfulness.  It won't be as bad as you think.