Thank you notes?

I guess it depends. If it's my in laws or an older person, I absolutely do a handwritten thank you. If it's anything professional or someone I don't know that well--again handwritten thank you. And obviously a must for big formal occasions like weddings. Friends or people I really consider peers--maybe not, and might even be weird depending on the occasion (an email works for some people, and even just a verbal thank you/hug is enough in some circumstances IMO). The one that confuses me is kid bdays. I made a list for DS2's birthday gifts but still haven't gotten to the thank you notes. And when I got to feeling bad about it, I realized that I've only actually received one thank you card EVER following a child's bday party. Someone please tell me that thank yous are not a must for these occasions :D

We do handwritten notes, and I have my two older kiddos (14 and 8) hand write their notes too. Also, add a drawing and a "thank you" from my two youngest...

I like to pick out unique and cute cards to use as thank you notes. I have a ton of thank yous to write out for Christmas gifts but I ended up getting really sick over the last few weeks and haven't gotten around to it. I do send a thank you email...always. It is nice to send a card too. I think it depends on the situation. I tend to send thank you notes to older people because they expect it. Like my grandma or great aunts. Friends and such? I tend to send a thank you email. I am not sure if that's good enough??