With the holidays winding down and the kids still on Christmas break, there's no time like the present to get your children to work on those ever-important thank you notes. {relatedarticles}Far too many parents don't appreciate the true value of having their kids write out thank-you cards to generous friends and family who weren't there for the big day. Many parents are uncertain as to what the proper protocol for thank you notes is. According to Emily Post, the golden rule regarding thank-yous is that you should always send a handwritten note if the giver wasn't present to thank in person. The etiquette gurus go on to say that if the gift is from a close friend or relative, an email or phone call will suffice. That said, sending a thoughtful thank-you note speaks volumes in regard to how you're raising your children. Ironically, your children will also benefit by creating the habit. Writing thank you notes is the perfect way for kids to practice their written skills while also honing their communication skills. It can also be a fun undertaking.