Now that Christmas is over and the decorations are put away, make sure you have thanked everyone who gave you a Christmas present. As a general rule, you don't have to send a note to anyone who saw you open the present and received a personal thank you. If the kids called their grandparents to tell them how much they liked the presents and thanked them on the phone, that is sufficient.

However, if someone sent a present to your house and you haven't thanked them yet, send them a note. The person who sent the present will appreciate knowing you not only you received the present but also that you liked it. Your note doesn't need to be very long. Three to five sentences should be sufficient. Make sure you acknowledge the gift by naming it. Don't just say, "Thank you for the Christmas present."

Even though the new year has begun, it's never too late to let someone know how much you appreciate their thoughtfulness. Have a great 2014!