DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our extended family just had a weeklong reunion at a rental house on the shore. I organized it and initially paid the full rent. All week long, family members thanked me graciously in a tone of voice that seemed to indicate they knew I had paid.
The final day, one of my brothers handed me a check for 30% of the rent. I thanked him, of course -- but only one other member of the family was still there to overhear the transaction (and might not have heard it).
Should I send everyone an email proclaiming my brother's generosity? (We did all the other communication for the trip by email.) Or should I merely include this update when responding to thanks that I receive in the future? Where does recognizing generosity bleed over into excess recognition?
GENTLE READER: We are still talking about a family event, not a charity fundraiser, correct?
Fundraisers proclaim sponsor generosity to reward, and encourage further, contributions. Miss Manners urges you not to confuse this activity with thanking one's host. Nor should you worry that, because your brother contributed, you usurped thanks that should have gone to him as co-host. Had he wanted that, he could have made arrangements in advance. You thanked him, and that is enough.