Have you noticed that Thank You’s are scarce these days? I don’t mean the quick “thank you” you say to someone in passing when they hold the door for you. I mean a true, heartfelt hand-written thank you. A note delivered to someone who has spent time to do something thoughtful for you. Those are rare!
We tend to overlook little acts of kindness, or maybe even take them for granted. Oh sure, we appreciate them, but do we acknowledge them properly? Maybe we have forgotten that when we receive a gift, or someone goes out of the their way to do something nice for us, that act should be recognized. And no, I do NOT mean with an email or text! That hand-written thank you note sent through “snail mail” is a gesture that will definitely stand out. Simple kindness – a kind impulse – and we can all use a few more kind impulses!
Writing thank you notes may seem long and torturous. Trust me, with a little practice, you can get a thoughtful, meaningful note written and mailed in no time. Complete that circle of kindness. Both you and the recipient will benefit from a little time spent. They put themselves out there, and spent time and money to brighten your day – that’s pretty fantastic! At some point you’ve gotten a gift for someone, took the time to send it and then never heard a word about it. Sending a “thank you” isn’t a big thing, but it sure means a lot to the person who receives it.
Since January is National Thank You month, it’s a great time to talk about the art of writing a Thank You note. I am in no way an expert, but over the years, I have honed my craft. Now I’ll share my tried and true, quick and easy method. It always produces a heartfelt and sincere note.
Some Helpful Tips
Before getting into the mechanics of the note itself, here are a few helpful tips to get you started on the right foot.
- • Try to get that note written as soon as possible after the event or receipt of a gift.
- • Always write a note for anyone who traveled to an event or went out of their way for you.
- • Of course, always send a thank you to anyone who gave you a gift. But don’t forget the people who played an important role in your big day or event. These could be the officiant for a wedding, the person who hosted a party in your honor, the person who traveled to be with you at a wake or funeral.
- • Never mention the amount of a monetary gift in a thank you. Instead, thank the giver for their generosity and let them know that it will really help with whatever you might be saving for. Some examples could be school costs, furniture or even landscaping.
- • Always be gracious when writing a thank you – even if you don’t like the gift you received. It might be a little harder to find the right wording for that note, but if you get creative, you can get it done. Just remember to always be sincere.
- • Please don’t simplify and use a pre-printed message sent to everyone. A personalized and handwritten message is always more heartfelt and sincere and would be appreciated so much more.
- • Use a thank you card, not just a plain note card. It sets the stage for why they are receiving your note, plus it’s a chance to add your personal style and flair.
The Bones of a Good Thank You Card
So, now on to the mechanics of a good thank you note. Again, use a pretty thank you card to set the stage – you can find some beauties HERE in my shop. Get your favorite pen, settle in with the beverage of your choice, and let’s get started.
- • Always begin with a warm greeting such as “Dear” followed by the recipient’s name.
- • Get right to it in your first paragraph. Immediately start with “thank you” and specifically note what you are thanking them for.
- • Your second paragraph should let them know how you will use the gift. You might note where you will display the item if it’s decorative, or how you will wear it if it’s clothing. If it’s a gift card or money, tell them a little about what you plan to spend it on.
- • Paragraph three is where you get a little creative. Tell them why you’re thankful to have them in your life and/or what their gift means to you. Write something thoughtful and maybe cite a happy memory shared only by the two of you. If you don’t know them that well, tell them that you look forward to spending more time with them. Maybe talk about building more memories in the future.
- • Finally, close with “thank you again for (state the gift again)” and you can even throw in a “it was so thoughtful of you”, and then finish with a warm sign off. Some nice ones are – “cheers,” “love,” “gratefully” or “many thanks,” and don’t forget to sign your name!
Follow this formula and you should whip through your thank you notes in no time, and the recipients will truly appreciate the fact that you took the time to thank them so personally.