The Dining Table
My Thank-You Notes After My Birthday Party
A good guest sends thank-you notes after a party. A great host sends them too, and puts the most thought into the last one.
My birthday party was last weekend: twelve guests, one cake and a magician who left early. My mother says you always write thank-you notes for your presents. So I did, by hand, in my very best handwriting, with a gel pen.
The Notes
Dear Aunt Marge, thank you for the socks. They’re blue, which is my favorite color this week. I wore them to bed on the first night. It was a big night.
Dear neighbor, thank you for the book about patience. I’ll read it as soon as I possibly can.
Dear magician, thank you for the trick with the rabbit. The rabbit is still in my closet, eating my shoelaces. Please let me know if you need it back.
Dear cake, you were delicious. Thank you for everything. I’m sorry about what happened to you, but you knew what you signed up for.
Dear me, thank you for throwing such a wonderful party. You’re a great host, you planned everything perfectly, and you looked fantastic in the hat. I can’t wait for next year’s.
The Replies
So far I’ve had one reply. It’s from the magician, who wants his rabbit back.
I’ve written him a second note to say that the rabbit seems very happy here, and that it’s started to answer to the name Donny Junior. I haven’t heard back yet. The rabbit has eaten the envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did you write a note to everyone?
To everyone who brought a present, plus the cake, which was a present to all of us.
What was your favorite present?
The party. I gave it to myself, and I loved it.