The world's easiest way to handle birthday party gift thank-you's

The party's over, the house is a mess, and all you want to do is kick back with a glass of wine and call it a success. Ah, but there is still that little matter of the thank-you cards lurking as one last pesky to-do.

Are thank-you notes for birthday party presents really necessary? OK, here's the bad news. Yes. They are still necessary. First of all, you want to model good behavior for your kids that when someone does something nice for us, we thank them. Second, the other moms will notice. Third, kids love to get stuff in the mail and your attendees really want to believe that they picked out a great present for their friend. It makes them feel good and positively reinforces them for being thoughtful. Don't we want other people to do that for our kids?

Here's the good news though. I have perfected the easiest way in the world to get them done. Before the party, buy a pack of the preformatted cards (you know the ones where all you have to do is fill in the gift-giver's name, gift and your child's name) or better still, make some yourself on the computer using a template that you like.

Buy or print out enough for every attendee. Then, as your child is opening presents, instead of making a list of who brought what, fill in the child's name and gift on their respective thank-you cards. After the party is over, have your child sign each card, adding a personal note if they are old enough and so inclined. You're done. Go have that glass of wine, guilt-free.