Mr. Flipper, I left off the thank you card scenario which was the bottom line of your post.
It seems in this day and age written thank you notes are almost archaic to the younger generation.
My mother gave my younger son a $500.00 check, for graduation and I continued to hound him to thank his Grandmother. Sadly, he never did.
She kept saying I know he appreciates it, ....I know he will say something....but my son never did in writing. I think they are so use to cell phones and email...which is in reality instant messaging. So for those older people who don't have the ability to receive these instant messengers, wind up out in the cold.
My son has since hugged her, thanked her personally etc., but to me a written response is also required via old fashioned mail.
r.