Did you recently receive a gift and are now wondering if you should send a thank you card? The answer is yes. Seriously, if you are debating whether or not you should make the effort to send a written note of thanks for a gift you received, you really need to send one.

Birthdays. Holidays. Weddings. Babies. Graduation. There are a variety of gifts you may receive during this year alone. Regardless of the type of gift you may recive, a note of thanks still needs to be sent. Just as there are different kinds of gifts and a variety of occasions a gift may be sent, there are an assortment of thank you notes as well. While a note of thanks doesn't have to be the size of a novel, an acknowledgement of receipt and nod in the direction of gratitude is important. But what to write for what type of gift?

Here are a few recommendations on HOW to write your note of thanks:

Gifts of Money

Let the giver know how you are going to use the money. Heading to college? Tell the sender that the money will be gratefully added to your savings for future books and other expenses. Moving? Thank them for the future piece of furniture this monetary gift will assist with. While you don't have to mention the exact amount, doing so lets the giver know that the funds they sent arrived intact.

Holiday Presents and Birthday Gifts

A good rule of thumb is to acknowledge gifts received for a birthday or religious holiday within a week of receiving them. Kids can begin early by utilizing a card where just a name and the gift are written in the blanks.

Other Gifts

Going away, housewarming or similar occasion types of gifts merit an acknowledgement of receipt and thanks. If it's work-related, an email is acceptable.

Thank You Gifts

If you receive a gift thanking you for a service you performed a note of appreciation needs to be sent as well. The sender needs to know that the present was received and that it will be put to good use.

A quick rule of thumb is any time you receive a gift and the giver wasn’t there to receive your thanks in person, you need to send a note expressing your appreciation. Why, you ask? The reason is because the giver needs to know you received it. And a handwritten note is more special than any other thank you there is.