DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have always sent thank-you notes without fail. My problem is that, now, people contact me via text message to see if I have received the gift they sent me. And since that answer is almost always yes, I feel I must not only acknowledge the gift but also thank them at that time.

So now, I either have to thank them with a short text, instead of the lovely cards I purchased to write sincere notes of gratitude, or thank them twice -- which of course is not awful, but seems awkward. I need some guidance, please.

GENTLE READER: Prompt responses will solve this problem. Then you can truthfully say, “Yes, thank you, I’ve already written you.”

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com ; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com ; or t

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