I've spent a decade writing and editing greeting cards. I hate most 'thank you' notes - with one huge exception.

While many people send obligatory thank-you notes after events like weddings and graduations, the most valued cards are those that express true gratitude from the heart. Working for years in the greeting-card industry highlights this difference, as mass-printed notes often lack personal sentiment. Important gifts should focus on the shared experience of giving and celebrating rather than reciprocal gratitude. A heartfelt thank-you requires no obligation, only genuine emotion to create meaningful connections.

The difference between 'obligatory' thank-you cards and genuine ones is significant. Obligatory cards often come from a sense of duty rather than heartfelt appreciation.

Gifts should be about sharing moments with those we care about, rather than focusing on the gratitude expressed in return.

Thank-you notes sent after events like weddings or graduations feel obligatory, but the truly meaningful ones come unexpectedly and are heartfelt.

The most appreciated thank-you cards are those sent without obligation, which signify a deeper connection and personal sentiment.

Read at Business Insider