Did you get a gift this year from your employer? Have you sent a thank-you note yet?

Perhaps you didn’t send one because you thought it was like receiving a paycheck – no thanks necessary.

However, if you receive a gift from your employer you should send a thank-you note, according to Pamela M. Harvit, a corporate etiquette and protocol consultant.

You are only entitled to compensation for your work. A gift at the holiday is an extra treat worthy of a written thank-you.

Now, what about all the holiday gifts you received from a friend or family member? They too, deserve a handwritten thank-you, according to experts. Notice I didn’t say “require.”

In case you don’t know, here are some tips from etiquette experts on how to write a thank-you note:

¢ Express gratitude.

¢ Mention the gift specifically and how you plan on using it.

¢ If you do not like the gift, at least try to find one feature that is noteworthy or unique or mention the giver’s thoughtfulness.

¢ If you neglected to write down what the specific gift was, then thank the person for taking the time to remember you during the holiday or your special occasion.

¢ If the gift is money or a gift card, mention how you plan to use the cash or what you hope to buy with the gift card.

¢ While it’s more acceptable these days, an e-mail thank-you is still impersonal.

And what about presents from close relatives and friends handed to you personally? Thank-you notes, in this case, are optional, especially if you verbally thanked the giver.

Finally, your note should be promptly sent. The experts don’t agree on how soon, but generally a few weeks after receipt of a holiday gift. But later is always better than never, one expert said.

Whew! I was glad to hear that. I still have quite a few thank-you notes to write.