to expect that a thank you letter from a 6 year old might contain at least my name and mention of the actual gift?

[LadySanders]

Totally accept that its hard for a 6 year old to hand-write 30 thank you letters. And have done the old printed-off-the-computer generic thank you letter myself for my ds age 6, BUT got him to write 'dear X' and fill in the blank after 'thank you for the ......' and sign on each one. Last few thank yous he's received after classmates' parties have all been untouched-by-a-human-hand computer print-off saying "thanks for coming to my party and for my present". not even signed or with his name on!! its too rude, surely!!

I think YABU, the child is only 6. Did your child write a thank you letter for coming to their party? We do print off thank you letters but tbh when i give a present i do not 'expect' a thank you letter. The pleasure of giving is enough... never heard the old saying better to give than receive?

Agree with IslandofSodor - prefer to get nothing if something is expected in return.

Also agree with LIttleBella

Is the OP for real, are some people this anal?

YABU.
Rude to complain about a "thank you" methinks....

If a present is given to you in person, I think that is fine just to say thanks, however if somebody has gone to the trouble of first of all searching for the present and getting it to a Post Office when they deem to open(not so easy when you work full time) then I do think that a quick note or drawing from DS is in order.

Writing notes personally drives me mad and I hate it, but is a necessary evil when people have gone to a lot of trouble.

I have never ever recived a 'thanks' from my 2 nieces or their parents despite the call made twice yearly to request 'Monsoon' dresses at vast expense for birthdays and Christmas. I wonder if they have arrived,and wonder at their arrogance.
Feel like not bothering this Christmas (although lovely presents all set to go when can get to the PO.)

Sorry, had to get that off my chest!

Has anyone read Horrdi Henry to their kids, hilarious one with the No Thank You letter. Much worse I think than a thank you letter that doesnt meet requirements.

Also if it bothered me so much to receive a thank you letter and was for a family member that never thanked at all, then i wouldnt bother. No brainer and not worth stressing about. Life is too damn short.

YABU
I'll echo the 'does it really matter'
I've never done thankyou cards either, DD's say 'thankyou' when they are given the present, i usually do present opening time at the end of the party so that DDs can then see the present and thank the child for it 'Thankyou for my couloring kit melanie'or whatever then when Mum/Dad/granny/2nd cousin Barbera comes to pick up the child I thank the adult for the present and say 'thanks for coming' to the child, I'm sure that we come across as having some social graces without a thankyou card!

I liked that horrid henry story, Awen! My dc have to write thank you letters after Christmas to people who were not there to see them open the presents. I take your point Skeleton, that it's fine to say thank you verbally if at all possible, but what do you do about presents received by post?

I am scrupulous about writing thank you letters for presents given to me, and hope that my dc will see and follow my example in later life. My own parents and in-laws have set this example to me.

I liked that horrid henry story, Awen! My dc have to write thank you letters after Christmas to people who were not there to see them open the presents. I take your point Skeleton, that it's fine to say thank you verbally if at all possible, but what do you do about presents received by post?

I am scrupulous about writing thank you letters for presents given to me, and hope that my dc will see and follow my example in later life. My own parents and in-laws have set this example to me.

Why is having a thankyou to your face not enough anymore...does the giver need to be gratified with a letter. Its all protocol and most 6 year olds cant write anyway..let alone a thank you letter...

yabu a thank-you is a thank-you - I love thank-you cards and letters and will make ds do them when he is older but we will still be in the minority as most people I give to incl niece and nephews don't bother at all