In a world of emails and text messages, there is nothing better than receiving a hand written letter in the mail – especially when your mailbox is usually just filled with bills and credit card offers. What makes that mail day a little sweeter is when you get to open a thank you note from someone. Thank you notes are often looked upon as a pain – especially when you have 50 of them to write to wedding guests who all gave you a picture frame. But the thank you note is important because it’s a recognition of that person’s time and energy that they put into thoughtfully driving to the store, picking out the perfect gift for you, and wrapping it. They didn’t have to get you anything, and yet they still went through all of those steps to do it. The least you can do is write a little note telling them how much you love that picture frame and can’t want to put it on you mantle.
Not sure where to start in writing a thank you note? I’m here to help. Here’s a few tips to get you started.
Tip #1 Always use quality paper. Folding over a piece of printer paper and sticking it a business envelope is not just lackluster – it’s boring. And it looks like you put zero effort into it. Get a nice set of thank you notes from Sugar Paper, Mara Mi, or heck, even Target! Make it pretty.
Tip #2 Write legibly. There’s nothing worse than getting a thoughtful note that you can’t read. Slow down, take your time, and write clearly. Yes, you probably have a bunch of notes you’re trying to knock out all at once, but take your time writing them. I usually limit myself to 5 or so a day and write them during commercial breaks when I’m watching tv.
Tip #3 Set the right mood. Start off by saying how excited you are to finally be done with grad school, or that you can’t believe you’re finally married to the love of your life. You want to start the note by giving them a point of reference for what the note is going to be about.
Tip #4 Be specific. PLEASE don’t just say “thanks for the gift”. That’s so lame. Tell them why what they gave you was needed or appreciated. If they sent you a juicer, tell them about the recipes you are looking forward to trying on it. If they sent you a gift card or money, thank them and tell them what you might use the money on. Help them visualize how their gift is helping you.
Tip #5 Be authentic. Don’t say anything you don’t truly mean. Say thank you. Don’t gush over something if you don’t truly want to.
Tip #6 Close with affection. Signing a thank you note with “sincerely” sounds like a business letter. “Thanks” sounds like you couldn’t come up with anything more interesting to say because you’re just trying to check them off your to do list. How about signing it “with love” or “thanks and gratitude”? It’s a little more personal and not so stagnant.
I hope that these tips help you write a note that personal, poignant, and authentic. You can thank me later 😉
