system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: Thank-you notes are outdated and unnecessary, and serve no real purpose except to signal "good raising".

The holiday season is a shit-show of obligation and expectations as it is, and then once all the festivities are over, we're all expected to sit down and write formulaic cards: "Dear Grandma, thank you for the lovely sweater. I will wear it often." 

I assume, of course that thanks were given at the time of the gifting, and that proper appreciation was provided. Why on earth is yet another thanks required? What purpose does it serve, other than checking an arbitrary box in the manners checklist? I have received several thank you notes from my family since Christmas and haven't even gotten around to opening them; I know what they say, and it just feels hopelessly impersonal and staid. 

A true gift should be freely given, and other than a thanks at the time of giving, should carry no additional obligation along with it.
gpt
I feel bad dragging your point down to this level, but...  Isn't that the same with literally every social nicety in existence -- to signal your intentions/status/good upbringing/etc?

There's no point in saying thank you, or giving a thank you card, or doing literally anything in the world of communication with other people, except to show that you're a special person, and to get them to like you more.  No?