Many people struggle with how to write a thank you note that is personal and sincere. It doesn’t have to be an intimidating process if you follow these simple tips:
Don’t delay
How long do you have to send out a thank you note before you are “tardy”? Here’s some simple guidelines:
- For birthday/shower/Christmas/graduation gifts — Within 1-3 weeks
- For wedding gifts — Within 3 months
- For a gesture of kindness — Within 1 week
I can’t overstate the power of a handwritten thank you note. So, even if you are beyond these dates, PLEASE STILL SEND THE NOTE! If you ARE a little tardy, just start the note with a simple line that says something to the effect of “I’m so sorry for my delay in writing this note, but it has been on my mind and heart to thank you for…” If you have numerous people to thank, make sure you start a list of who gave what and keep the list handy. Don’t get overwhelmed… just write one or two notes per day to stay on top of it. You will be done in no time!
Start with beautiful stationery
I just LOVE stationery, so this is an easy one for me. You don’t have to spend a lot, but a nice notecard to write your thank you note on is step one in expressing your gratitude. If you are looking for something personalized, head over to Lola Lorena, our favorite one-stop shop for custom-designed stationery!
Open with a greeting and the official “Thank You”
Address the gift giver by name and jump right in! “Dear Susan, Thank you for ____”. Get right to the point and keep this part concise. If your gift was made up of several smaller gifts, you don’t need to list everything out specifically. Just mention the overall gift idea in this first line. For example, “Thank you for the gift basket of kitchen supplies…” or “Thank you for an incredible birthday weekend…”
Add specific details
- What was the best part of the gift?
- Does it meet a specific need that you had?
- Why do you love it so much?
- How do you plan to use it?
People want to know that the gift that they gave you really “hit the spot,” so tell them! For example, “The sweater fits perfectly and I can’t wait to wear it when the weather changes…” or “I’m looking forward to using these beautiful monogrammed napkins at my next dinner party…”
In conclusion, restate your thanks and look ahead
Wrap up the note with a final sentiment of thanks and a statement that looks towards the future. For example, “Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity. I hope to see you again over the Christmas holidays…” Sign off with a simple signature of “Sincerely,” “Many thanks,” “Warmly,” “With love,” or whatever feels comfortable.
How to write a thank you note?
Wouldn’t you agree that it’s not too hard if you just follow these simple guidelines? Your note is a personal connection point for you and the gift-giver. In this high-tech world of emails and texts, your hand-written note will strike a lovely personal cord. Do you have a note you could write today?
