Help me with wording

[AllTheWhoresOfMalta]

Not really an AIBU but here for traffic. DP has a total muppet of an uncle who’s got involved in a family feud (that’s really nothing to do with DP) and they’ve ended up having words over it since Christmas.

However uncle and his partner sent our children a present and I want to send a thank you card because I don’t want to be seen as us being anything other than totally reasonable.

I want to allude to the fact that all is not rosy but say that we wish them no ill will, but in a less black and white way than that. Part of it is Malicious compliance a bit- if we are very sweet it’ll annoy him- but also because, as I say, I want to absolutely do the right thing and be polite.

Help me with the wording!

Many thanks

Depending on the age of your children, get them to write a simple thank you/ draw pictures, you don’t personally have to send thanks.

Name,

Thank you for the Christmas gifts.

Regards,
Name.

I'm not quite sure but keep it short and blunt I'd say.

"Thank you for the Christmas gift, DC loved it and we spent many a happy hour playing with it over the festive season /here's pic of DC wearing the gift you kindly bought."

If you want to "allude to the fact things aren't rosy", you could include a pic of DC playing with the toy surrounded by all the other members of the extended family that are on DP's "side" of the row at an event that the uncle was excluded from.

But... if you want to "do the right thing and be polite" maybe offer an olive branch. Christmas is a time for forgiveness and all that. Perhaps include something about 2020 being a fresh start or say after the craziness of Christmas you are looking forward to getting back to normality and wish him the best for the new year ahead.

Don't play games. If you're grateful send a genuine thank you, if you're not then don't send anything.

How old are the children? If they are old enough get them to write the note. If not wrote it yourself as if from them (Dear Uncle Bob and Auntie Sheila, Thank you for our train set etc) and then give them a crayon to scribble a ‘signature’. No need to acknowledge the row.

I wouldn't play games. If your dc are old enough, get them to write it. If not 'dear aunt and uncle, thank you for the kind gift for DC. Wishing you a healthy and happy new year, op and family.'

I'm with PP, do not play games,do not try to be a smart arse. Get the DC to do it if possible.

But since you ask

Dear uncle,

We were pleasantly surprised to receive your gift. It was quite unexpected due to the recent rift, but the children loved it and it put a smile on their faces and ours.
Thank you for taking the time to arrange it.

Smart arse & Smart arse husband.