Yes, I said a “real” thank-you note. A store-bought card, preprinted with “Thank You” on the front and inscribed with a single fill-in-the-blank sentence, might be better than no ...

Whether you open the graduation card or gift in front of the giver or later, and you verbally thank them, a handwritten note should also be sent to that person.

Thank-you notes are great — and always appropriate. Nicely worded texts/emails are sufficient (especially when they include a photo) — but honestly, I think a phone call is a joy.