Thank you note to boyfriend's parents?

[ILoveMyCello]

Hi, I have dated a guy for a little over a year on and off (we did take a 2 month break early into it). Things have gotten really great, especially these past few months  We are both 27.

My family is not the greatest, so he invited me to spend Christmas Eve with his family. This wasn't the first time I have met his relatives, but this was the first holiday we spent together. It was wonderful. I had a really great time, and I brought little gifts for his parents and disabled brother and they got me a few little things as well. I had Christmas Eve dinner with them and then we went to church together.

My question is, is it good etiquette to send them a nice thank you card, or is it putting it on a little bit too much?

[Surianne]

Not at all, I think it's a fabulous idea. Just be sincere, don't gush -- "Thanks so much for having me over, I had a great time with [X thing your really enjoyed" and I think they'll love it.

I'm in a similar situation -- my family can be pretty trying.  So when someone else includes me in their kind, functional family, it means a lot.  I've never had a negative response to a sincere thanks.

[Hmmmmm]

It is never improper to send a thank you note to the hosts of a party or dinner gathering.  I think they will appreciate a short not acknowledging your enjoyment of the evening.

[MrsCrazyPete]

Send the card! They sound lovely

[LeveeWoman]

Hi, I have dated a guy for a little over a year on and off (we did take a 2 month break early into it). Things have gotten really great, especially these past few months  We are both 27.

My family is not the greatest, so he invited me to spend Christmas Eve with his family. This wasn't the first time I have met his relatives, but this was the first holiday we spent together. It was wonderful. I had a really great time, and I brought little gifts for his parents and disabled brother and they got me a few little things as well. I had Christmas Eve dinner with them and then we went to church together.

My question is, is it good etiquette to send them a nice thank you card, or is it putting it on a little bit too much?

It is NEVER "too much" to send a thank you note to people who have hosted you.

[RegionMom]

Yes, send the note.
Keep it simple, no gushing.

I sent a few thank-you notes to my college boyfriend's parents, since they knew me from high school, and I now know them as my in-laws. 

It is always good to err on the side of polite. 

[Deetee]

Did you take any pictures while you were there? If so, it's nice to combine those. It seems a little less formal than a thank-you note, but gives you an excuse to send the note. Of course, send the note even if you didn't take pictures, but I find they go nicely together.

[crella]

Yes, a note would be very nice. Three years ago at New Year's my son brought (the future) DIL with him for us to meet her, and we had a great time together. I was impressed by the thank you note I got a few days later. They mean a lot.

[oceanus]

Agree with PP - send a short note.  Glad you had a nice time. 

[Winterlight]

I'm with everyone else- a nice note is never inappropriate in this situation.

[Nuala]

My question is, is it good etiquette to send them a nice thank you card, or is it putting it on a little bit too much?

My daughter has been dating her beau for seven and a half years.  Most years Beau would spend Christmas morning with his family and then see us in the afternoon, when he would be the only one opening gifts.

Last year, he opened presents with his family in the morning, then came to our house and joined in our present exchange.

He sent be a beautiful note thanking me for including him in our celebration. It meant very much to me and did not seem over the top at all.

So I would definitely recommend sending a note.

[camlan]

Absolutely correct to send a thank you note for their hospitality.

It's called a "bread and butter" note, or a "Collins" after Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice.  In the olden days, back in the 1950s, you sent a thank you note or made a thank you phone call for a dinner party. Or you sent flowers the day after a dinner party. You always wrote a thank you note for an overnight stay.

So there's a long, established tradition that you would be following.

[Honeypickle]

Definitely send the card. And I'm glad it went so well!

[gramma dishes]

Yes, send the note.  I can assure you that it will NOT make a negative impression.  They sound like wonderful people and it is nice that they were so happy to include you in their family holiday celebration.

[snappylt]

I agree with the others.

Send the note - a simple one is fine.  I suspect they'll think you are sweet to do so.