Anybody Can Do Anything
Especially Lillian

Hello Everyone!  I've been a little behind on ASK LILLIAN, but I recently got a few that I just couldn't ignore, either because I feel strongly about the subject or because I got 5 versions of the same question.





Lillian

I saw the Little Pal Grill you posted about on your blog, and I want to buy it! I want it for (insert reason here!)

- At Least 5 Different People

Dear 5 Different People

After I posted about the Little Pal Grill, I used it. And like an idiot, I ruined it.  Its still usable as a grill but its badly burnt, the paint is black and bubbled and peeling and the adorable little label  is unreadable. So I will be keeping my ugly little pal, but I pinky promise to keep looking on ebay and yard sales and posting links to any that I find.





Lillian!

My birthday was last week and I got tons of great gifts, but also some stuff that isn't my style and a gift card to a store I NEVER shop at. My mom says I have to write thank you notes for ALL the gifts, even the ones I don't like, but isn't that stuffy and old fashioned? Can I text the people who sent me good gifts and leave it at that?

-Thankless in Thousand Oaks


TTO

First things first, happy belated birthday! Now stop being a spoiled brat! I'm going to be real with you because I think birthdays are great chances to start new resolutions (like your own personal new year!) and I think a great resolution is GRATITUDE. It doesn't matter if you are 5 or 500, NO ONE is obligated to buy you anything for your birthday. Everyone who got you presents went out of their way to do so. The VERY least you can do it be grateful. As far as the gift cards, go to the store and look around, maybe there is something there that fits your personality. If you look around and there is truly not even one thing that you like, there are kiosks in most malls that will buy up gift cards in exchange for cash. OR you could try another resolution called CHARITY and donate the gift card, or use it to buy things that your local Women's Shelter needs (most have lists of needed items on their website!)
As for writing thank you cards, I am going to give you the best advice that was ever given to me, a fool proof formula for writing thank you notes.

Gifts come in two forms, a physical gift, or cash (either paper money of gift cards)

For a physical gift the formula goes, Thank you for  ____. I will use it ____. Something nice and personal.
Lets say Great Aunt Milly got you candles.

Dear Great Aunt Mildred, 

Thank you so much for the  candle,  I can't wait to light it and let the vanilla fragrance calm me while I study for the SATs. I can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving! I hope you'll make your famous green bean casserole

Love,  TTO

As for a gift of money, the formula is the same except you don't say how much the gift was for, you simply say "thank you for the generous gift" and you tell them what you will spend it on. You are going to buy candles, because I like candles, so I imagine that you love candles too.

Dear Great Aunt Mildred,

Thank you so much for the generous gift, I have been wanting to get some new vanilla scented candles. The vanilla scent always eases my stress when I'm studying. I can't wait to see you at Christmas, I always love the creative sweaters you wear. 

Love,  TTO

And if the gift or gift card isn't your style, the format stays the same. Even if you need to tell a small white lie, there is no excuse for not thanking someone for giving you a gift. 



So there you have it, everything you need to know about Tiny Grills and Thank you Cards. Send me your questions and I'll answer them on the next installment of Ask Lillian. 


Love
Lillian. 



Recommended Reading

Heartfelt Gratitude on NPR