How To Write Thank You Notes That People Will Love

The Social Grace of Writing a Thank-You Note

My grandmother always said she loved to get my thank-you notes. Over the years I would sometimes receive compliments of others, as well; but my "notes" were not perfect. They were more like thank you letters, and became more and more scarce as I became busy with life.

Maybe this is your story, too.

However, I started to pay attention to the thank you notes that I appreciated getting from other people, and thought a bit about why I appreciated them so much. It changed the perspective on what makes a good thank you note and why it is a great social benefit to learn how to write them.

This is written to share some of those thoughts and observations with you. Perhaps we can revive the art of writing a real thank you note, and writing it well.

Why Write Your Thanks? - Good reasons to write a note

• People like to be appreciated
• It lets the giver know you received the gift
• It is good manners to thank the giver

Send A Note Of Gratitude

Cute Notes Cards - Send Thanks With Pretty Stationary

"Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it."
~Ralph Marston
You are more likely to write a proper thank you note if you have pretty notecards on hand. They make sending the notes you need to write a cinch. Not just because they are so cute, but because the note size is just the space you need to write the perfect thank you message: not too long, not too short, and never impersonal!

Dolce Boxed Thank You Note Cards - Cupcake | Rungtong & Co. Stationery Line

Girly pink and polka dots are a pretty background for sweet thoughts.

 Buy Now

Do you draw a blank when writing?

Tips on writing a welcome thank-you note

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.

~ William Shakespeare

 

Many people do draw blanks when looking at the plain white page, you are not alone. While it may take a little more time to write a thoughtful, well expressed, thank you note, it will really show your appreciation and convey your gratitude for the kindness of a gift when you take a few minutes more to write from your heart.

You don't have to be completely original, but do try to personalize your notes to people. Specify something about the service or gift you are thankful for, the way it benefits you, and maybe a little something complimentary about both the gift and the giver.

If you have a close relationship to the person, include something of your feeling for them: you appreciate their love and support, the way they knew just what to give you, or the fact that the time, gift or service was all the more appreciated because it was from them.

The key word in following all the advice is to "be personal". People appreciate that you value them, their efforts, and their gift, and that means expressing your thoughts in your own words, from the heart.

Thank You Note Advice Summary

• Start with greeting the person, most people begin with "Dear" and their name and then say something personal to them, such as enjoying seeing them recently ,etc.
• Say thank you for the gift you received, describe and name it in specific terms
• Tell them what the gift means to you or how you use it
• Express a cordial thought towards the giver, which is expressing your warm feelings for their generosity, in some personal way
• Repeat your thanks
• End with your favorite closing such as "Love" "Sincerely" or "Best Regards"

...and that's it!
If you keep thank you notes in a short "note" form you are more likely to write them. That is all people really want anyway, just a short note of appreciation.
Keep your notes short You will write thank-yous with more punctuallity, and procrastinate less.

More Advice and Inspiration in 101 Ways

- For the best thank you notes

For the best thank you notes

101 Ways to Say Thank You: Notes of Gratitude for All Occasions

Lots of people feel they don't know how to phrase their feeling. This is the solution to jump start your writing.

 Buy Now

Expressing Your Gratitude is an Art

- Like all writing, tips and prompts can make a difference

Sometimes it is hard to begin, and words can escape you. But writing well, including a finely crafted Thank You, does not have to be difficult. A guide like this one is a fount of inspiration and an etiquette resource. You don't need to be at a loss for the right words when you wish to express your gratitude in writing.

What If You Didn't Like The Gift?

Say Thanks with Love and Kindness - Even if you are a bit ambivalent about the gift

Try to be sincere, yet give the gift-giver your thankfulness for their efforts. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness." may be the best you can muster, but that is a kind expression. Take note of their time and efforts, or of the fact that they showed generosity. It is always good to note a person's thoughtfulness and generosity.

If you are an enthusiastic person, just be you, but try not to go over the top since it might sound insincere. "Words cannot convey my gratitude." ? Well, you are trying to do just that! It isn't a terrible thing to say, but choose words that match the gift. I don't think I would say "You shouldn't have" when receiving a tie, for instance.

It bears repeating: Simple, heartfelt thanks are the best ones.

Do You Write Notes Of Appreciation?

Send snail mail? It has become a rare art, but writing and receiving hard copy thanks you notes can be a much appreciated gesture. You will be surprised at the happy responses it evokes.

The Art of Thank You: Crafting Notes of Gratitude

Shortcuts to creating thank you notes that express your gratitude. Heartfelt ways to give a grateful message gracefully.

 Buy Now

Some Quotations:

Appreciate good people. They are hard to come by.

One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others. Lewis Carroll

My world is brighter and more beautiful because of you. Thank you.

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.-Oscar Wilde

Thank you for coming into my life and giving me joy, thank you for loving me and receiving my love in return. Thank you for the memories I will cherish forever.- Nicholas Sparks

By the way, I’m wearing the smile that you gave me.

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. ~A.A. Milne

It only takes a moment to say thank you – but your thoughtfulness will be remembered a long time.

If you only knew how much those little moments with you mattered to me. Thank you.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

Make it easy on yourself - Gather all your supplies together

If you struggle with procrastination, as I have, then this list is to help you overcome one barrier to writing the important notes of appreciation and gratitude to those thoughtful and kind enough to give you something. A gathering of supplies in one place is sometimes all that is needed to accomplish this task.

You Will Need These Writing Supplies:

• A good quality pen that feels comfortable. There is nothing worse than a pen that runs out of ink, or is uncomfortable to use.Consider this one:uni-ball Vision Stick Fine Point Roller Ball Pens, 12 Black Ink Pens
• Pretty notecards with envelopes.
• Be sure to have all the addresses you need.Make a list in a notebook or on a sheet or two of paper; keep the list with your cards.
• A roll of special stamps.Find your own perfect stamp by going to the Zazzle site

Give a grateful note with a pretty Thank You Card

One of the joys of writing a nice than you is the choice of a pretty card. Keeping a box of artistic cards on hand makes it easy to take up your pen and give a thoughtful note of thanks.

Metropolitan Museum of Art stationary cards have always been some of my favorites for cards and notes. Beautiful fine art cards!

Great Art Appreciation

Floral Pattern - Blank Inside Thank You Cards

My own personal favorite cards, have to be the ones produced my the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Those are hard to find, but these florals in an arts & crafts style reminiscent of Morris patterns). 

A number of variations are available in the assortment.

They make sending notes a joy, not to mention the way they will light up the day for those lucky enough to receive one with your personal note.

Buy Now from Amazon

Special Cards and Postage can convey your message, too

Zazzle Thank You Stamps and Cards

Here are a number of cute Zazzle stamps. If you don't find something you like in the selection go on to Zazzle and make your own custom stamp, or choose from literally tens of thousands of stamps designed by artists on the site.

A well chosen, bright stamp is just an extra special touch. I really like the stamps that say "Thank You" on them and have the colors of the cards and envelope. With Zazzle, it is so easy to do.

Maybe you love a certain design style, or want a well done design that has a certain look. You can peruse the" best seller" lists or maybe take a chance on one of the featured shops. There are no lack of designs and many ways to find them.

Here are some choices to get you started...

Selection of Artful Notes - From the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Great art from some of the most famous art museums in the world. They always produce products of fine quality with the most beautiful art in the world printed in gorgeous color.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Weiner Werkstätte Boxed Notes, 20 Notecards (MN1025)

Thank You Note F.A.Q.

Q: I procrastinated, is it too late to send my note?

A: No, go ahead and write; late thanks is better than none at all.

Q: Do I have to hand write the thank you?

A: No, you don't have to, but taking the time to write something by hand expresses your sincerity and feeling in the best possible way.

Q: Is a long letter better?

A: Actually not. Not only might you put it off always looking for "enough time", but you risk rambling on and on about yourself, instead of focusing on thanking the person you wish to write to.

Q: I already told the person "Thank you", do I still need to write a note?

A: In a word: Yes.

Q: I was sent some money in an envelope, how do I handle this?

A: Just simply state your gratefulness, maybe mention something it will go towards, but it is bad form to write down the exact amount you received.

What about you? Do you take the time to send a handwritten thank you note?

Thank You Notes For Wedding Gifts Are Vital

The Bride's Thank-You Note Handbook

There are always lots of thank you notes due after your wedding, and with all the busy events that were behind you and the new life ahead, you need organizational help an prompts to get the jobs done. At least that helps and that is what this book is meant to do.

 Buy Now

Wedding Gift Thank-You Notes

If ever there were a time that thank you notes are important it is after the wedding.

It is also one of the most challenging, since the number of notes to write are far more than for most occasions! Learn how to write gracious thank you notes, and set aside a block of time to write them all at once, if you can.

Like anything else, you get into a "flow" that makes the writing go more smoothly.

Brides Take Note

Yes, Men Should Write, Too

I know that women are given the job of keeping up with social etiquette, but men should know how to handle themselves, too. Writing thank you notes is easy and the video on how to do just that, in the style of the Art of Manliness, tells all.