If it's a choice between late and never, I say late is better.

I agree--never too late. Better done late than not at all. I feel even more grateful when friends and colleagues give me the grace to be a little late, when they don't expect an immediate response, but know the gratitude is there and that when I have a moment to take a breath, the written thanks will come. In this superfast world where ever thing is right now, it's nice to think gratitude has it's own time and place, that it's a bigger notion.

It's never too late.  And though the REALLY long lateness may sting a bit, it's the "never" that leaves a hole in the heart.  In my family, sadly, gifts seem to vanish into black holes, to the point I've started using postal Delivery Confirmation slips (for the mailed ones, anyway) just to know they were received.  

There's nothing a whole lot worse than shopping for a gift for someone who hasn't acknowledged the last one - or two, or three.  And, lest anyone jump to the conclusion it's the younger ones, this thoughtlessness seems to span the generations.  (Yes, time to trim the gift list...)

Once, when I was dithering about what sort of thank you to send for a particularly lovely gift, a close friend commented, "people like to be remembered."  It was that simplicity that set me on the right track.  It wasn't so much what I did, it was the fact that I DID it.  This thought has made my own thank-you's oh so much easier.  Now the thank-you isn't some vague social obligation, it's me letting them know that I am thinking of them, that I care, that I am grateful they thought of me, and that we're connected.  

Silence, of course, leaves its own opposite, sad message.

Nothing beats a simple thank you, however late it might arrive. It is a simple, elegant gesture that means so much. I try to be dilligent about sending them within a week of something happening, but I've also not been so prompt and sent it a month or two after the event. You can't go wrong with nice paper, either!

P.S. Veronica, I love your blog and I cook your recipes. Quick question: any way you can do a blog about some great snacks to prepare for hosting, say, a sista book club? Thanks!

Send it anyway--but acknowledge that time has passed by, and, if you can, why.  And if it's the kind of gift that allows you to sweeten your note with a photo, include one.  (This is especially true of gifts for children.)  A note acknowledging the delay and sweetly apologizing for it are good balm for hurt feelings.  Here's a sample note for a baby gift:

"Aunt Chloe:  Sleep deprivation has made me way fuzzier than I thought--I can't believe six months have passed since Noelle was born!  Sorry it  took awhile, but I wanted to let you know how much we both love the lovely yellow blanket you crocheted for her.  I hope all my children (any more are theory ONLY at this point) will be cuddled in its warmth.

I hope you and Uncle Noah are doing well,and that we'll see you before the year is out.  Meanwhile, here's a photo of Noelle wrapped in your gift.  We should all be so comfortable!

Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.  Samuel and Noelle join me in sending you both big hugs.

Love always,

Lauren

Considering the time and cost to choose, buy and send a gift, acknowledging its receipt is a must.  Even if you do it on CPT.

Well better late than never, but I always try to send my thank you notes within two to three days because I don't want to been seen as unappreciative.

My favorite thank you notes are from Blue mountain cards, love them and they say it just the way you want it to.

Sending a thank you note late is just fine. I am often forgetful, busy , and  most often my thank you notes are late.( To tell the truth I write my notes and often never get them in the mail, this is almost sinful.) My feelings on thank you letters or any hand written note is that these notes alone are girfts, gifts of our time and thoughts. In this crazy busy wolrd where we can send a gift at the click of a mouse the hand written note is rare. I personally appreciate every hand written letter or note I get.    

Thank you for your blog! I enjoy it very much.

Rhonda

It is never too late to ac knowledge a gift or a kindness.  I learned from Terrie Williams' book, The Personal Touch, to keep a collection of stationery in the office and at home so that I could be ready to acknowledge all occassions quickly.  I have lots of blank cards as well as sympathy, birthday and congratulations card.  I am particularly fond of sending a short poem from some of my favorite poets with my notes.  I like a variety of cards so when I go in stores that sell cards - from Mar-shalls, to book stores, to artist events - I buy them and stash them.