As society grows more interconnected and reliant on technology, the old ways of keeping in touch wane in influence and popularity. That's the way of the world, it seems, and woe to anyone who waxes nostalgic about traditions trampled in the relentless march of progress.
Still, it seems appropriate, here in the middle of the holiday season, to consider the value and importance of an old medium that should not be abandoned: thank you notes.
It's true that we are fortunate to live in a time when communication is convenient and instantaneous. Connecting with a friend or loved one is as easy as tapping out a message on a device that most people carry in their pockets.
No mess, no fuss, no waiting, no worry.
The advent of computers, the development of the internet, the proliferation of smartphones ― these are all modern marvels, advances that put the world at our fingertips. Video chats were once a dream of science fiction but are now the way many people conduct business or keep in communication with relatives.
None of that is bad. It's the opposite, in fact. And the value of technological communication has never been more obvious than when being in face-to-face contact with others risks infection by a deadly disease.
Still, there is something powerful about the written word, something that's a little thrilling about receiving a card or letter in the mail from someone far away. And perhaps we're a little biased, given our paper-based medium, but there is comfort in the permanence of a hand-written note penned with thought and care.
Sending greeting cards is a cherished seasonal tradition, but even that's been diminished in recent years as many people opt for pre-printed cards ― some even include signatures ― as a way of saving some always precious time during the holidays. Lick the envelopes, affix the stamps and off they go.
But at least people still send those Christmas cards. Thank you notes, once considered a necessity of Christmas and a staple of childhood, appear to be, if not extinct, but certainly endangered.
That's a real shame, especially considering the multitude of benefits they offer.
For starters, it's the right thing to express gratitude for every kindness, however small. Gift giving may seem obligatory during the holidays, but one should never take for granted that others have the means and the desire to exchange presents.
A brief thank you note tells someone that you care for them, appreciative of them and thankful for them. It forges a personal connection and strengthens existing relationships. And it's a little more powerful than texting "THANK U" or sending a string of emojis.
For kids, writing thank you notes is a valuable exercise, one that could make a difference later in life. A child who writes thank you notes to relatives at Christmas is likely to send notes after a job or college interview. It's no stretch to say those are the sort of things that set someone apart from their peers.
Interestingly, studies show that thank you notes benefit both sender and recipient. Researchers in 2018 found that getting a thank you note significantly improves a person's mood and outlook, while the senders expressed surprise by how they also felt better for having written them.
If there's one thing that abundantly clear, it's that we could use more happiness, more positivity ― more gratitude ― in our world. We are awash in anger and divisiveness, too quick with an unkind word for others, and far too slow to show appreciation.
Thank you notes won't heal those divisions or suddenly make everyone get along with each other. But they can make our communities just a little bit kinder and optimistic ― all with very little effort.
Perhaps that's reason enough to eschew that text message or save that email to the draft folder, and instead, this year, put pen to paper.
This editorial was published in the Virginian-Pilot and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
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