Dear Miss Manners: Why is it that people see it as mandatory to send a thank-you for a gift? It seems like people give gifts with the sole purpose of being appreciated. This seems contrary to the whole idea of giving a gift.
To explain further, let me tell you how I give gifts. I have a large family that is pretty far-flung. Some years I’m in touch with certain members; other years I’m in touch with others. When the holidays come around and I am shopping for gifts, I look for things that remind me of them and of conversations we’ve had.
