It's an intimidating task: writing so many thank you notes for so many gifts and for help with planning the wedding. Many brides and grooms put the job off for as long as they can, simply because it is such an overwhelming undertaking. But writing your thank you notes doesn't have to be something you face with dread, with your fears growing each and every day you look at the neatly-piled, blank thank you notes and that pen.

Here are the top ways to make this post-wedding obligation fun:

1. Make it a date. Set up 'dates' with each other to pair note-writing with something enticing, like breakfast or dinner, dessert by candlelight, even coffee at a coffee shop with a live guitarist playing.

 

2. Limit it to 10 a day. When you break down the enormous collection, it's not as scary. Just commit to getting 10 notes done a day, and you'll move through the pile in no time.

 

3. Reward yourselves. Set a reward you'll look forward to: a night out at a comedy club when you get half finished, a day trip when you're fully done.

 

4. Share a story about the person. This is also a great way for your partner to get to know your friends and family better. When you have a friend's wedding card in your hand, ready to fill out her thank you note, share a fun story about that person such as what happened at her birthday party when you were in school.

 

5. Use a fun pen. Go to the party supply store and buy toy-topped pens that you'll use only for your thank you notes.

 

6. Share what you wish you could write. Get a little bit silly and make up a faux thank you message that you won't write in the card. Such as, "Dear Aunt Cindy, thank you so much for the penguin-shaped vase. We know just the place for it." When you can have a few laughs, it makes the work pass more quickly.

 

7. Add personal notes with humor. There's no rule that says a thank you note has to be serious and only discuss the gift given. Take a moment to write something funny, like reminiscing about something said at the after-party.

 

8. Include a fun photo. For select guests, you may want to include ­ in addition to your formal wedding portrait ­ a snapshot of your circle of friends at the rehearsal dinner or a fun candid from after the wedding.

 

9. Play great music. What's upbeat for you? 80s music? Reggae? Set a soundtrack for your note-writing sessions and you'll find yourselves dancing in your seats.

 

10. Write one to each other. At the end of each note-writing session, slide across the table the notes you've written to each other, a new one each day. They could be serious, they could be silly, they could be sexy. What matters is that you end each session with an expression of love and appreciation for each other.

Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding planning books and is the Q&A specialist at NJWedding.com. Sharon will answer any wedding-related questions at www.njwedding.com/expertadvice. She is a resident of Morristown, New Jersey. To view and purchase any of Sharon's helpful books, click here to visit the NJWedding.com WedStore!