Thank you notes

[explorer2001]

Am I the only one who is staying up to finish writing their Christmas thank you notes?

I have this odd rule that I can't use anything I get until the thank you note is written, preferably mailed (or delivered if I'll seeing the gifter in person soon), but it must be written and sealed in the envelope ready to mail or deliver.

What are your thank you note standards?
Do you write thank you notes?
If so, how soon do you write them?
Do you use gifts/cash checks before the notes are written, or do you wait?