How to write a thank you note.

In a previous post, I told you why do you say thank you.  In this post, I'll tackle how to say thank you. What do you write on the inside? This is always a problem for me. So I did a bit of research and found out a pretty good formula.

Formula for saying thank you 

1. Don't be self-centered. 

Starting your note with “I” or “We" doesn't make it about your recipient but about you. Instead focus entirely on the other person. Phrases like "You throw a great party", "You are a wonderful cook," or "You have a great talent for finding the perfect gift" will make your recipient happier than saying "I love my new whatchamacallit," 

2. Name it and be specific.

When saying thank you for a gift go beyond just writing down what it is. Write about  how it looks, how it makes you feel, what you'll do with it, or how you will display it. 

If someone gave you money, your thank you note shouldn't read “Thanks for the $50.” Instead it should read “Thank you for your generosity,” no matter what amount is given, because money is always a “generous gift"

3.  How did you benefit from the person's kindness or generosity? 

If you’re thanking friends for a party, mention details about the event that you’ll hold as memories: a favorite food, the table decorations, someone at the party you enjoyed meeting, or anything else that comes to mind as special. 

Before the holiday break several Scout families took turns bringing my son home from meetings. Their kindness allowed me to take improv classes. You better believe I mentioned this benefit when I gave them thank you cards.

4. End your note by writing about when you will be together again.  

You could write something like, "I'll call you next week to arrange a time to meet for lunch or coffee," or "I look forward to seeing you again at so-and-so's birthday party."  If you tell someone you're going to call and make arrangements for a meeting, be the kind of person that makes the call to make arrangements for a meeting. 

5.  Don't use generic salutations.  

Sincerely is fine for someone you don't know but when thanking  a friend or family member put some heart and humor in it. You can allude to the gift, if someone gave you a coffee maker, you could write, "with love from your new favorite barista." 

According to the experts, the stationery for your thank you notes doesn't really matter it's what's on the inside that counts. As a card maker, this seems so very foreign to me. When I make a thank you card the image on the cover relates to the gift or the giver, the event or the host, the kindness or the deed. Here's the latest thank you card I made:

Image from Purple Onion Designs, Sentiment from Mama Elephant.
Sequins from Neat and Tangled. Coloring was done with Copic markers. 

It's important when sending a thank you card that you are timely in getting it in the mail. Two weeks is a good rule of thumb, though I'm sure new parents are given a bit more grace than others.

Happy Crafting,

Resources:A Proper Thank You: Etiquette rules for thank you notes
The Gracious 5-Step Formula for Writing Thank You Notes

Why should you send a Thank You card?

It's Thank You week here at Katemade Designs. This week I will lay out the whys and wherefores of writing thank you notes and showing you some of the cards I have made to say thank you for the holiday season's blessings.

Thank you card for my friend who is a Mary Kay rep.
I used MFT Stamps "Fly By Friends," Copic Markers,
and a bit of Opalite ink in Cypress Frost on the wings.

 The obvious reason to send a thank you card is when you receive a gift for the holidays or a big occasion like a wedding, graduation, bar/bat mitzvah, or birthday. Etiquette experts advise sending a card within 30 days and definitely before you use the gift. Non-experts suggest you include a photo of the gift in use in your note,  "the children are so cute in their matching ponchos," "thanks so much for the cookware, here's a picture of me making dinner."

Another reason to send thank you notes are when you've been a guest in someone's home either for an overnight stay, a dinner party or a big bash. A thank you note for an intimate overnight stay may be weird, I'm sure the experts were talking about staying with family friends.

If there has been a death in your family and people have sent flowers, gone out of their way to attend the funeral or visitation, or they have made a donation in your loved one's name: they should receive a thank you card. At a time like this, it's acceptable to have someone else do the heavy lifting of writing them for you, but the kindness of the recipient should be acknowledged.

Thank you card from Lydia Fiedler. 

When I got home from work today there was a cute little thank you card from Lydia Fiedler, of the Understanding Blue blog, thanking me for supporting her SU business last year.  The card was small, in the smallest size envelope you can send through the US mail (3.5" x 5"), but it made a huge impact.  I only bought a couple of things from Lydia, and she lives over 1,100 miles away but when I asked a question about a Stampin' Up! product of several demonstrators I follow online, she was the only one that responded. And now I get a thank you card. That's class and excellent customer service. Thanks, Lydia.

Even though the etiquette experts tell you to get those thank you cards out within a month there really is no time limit on gratitude. So you sent the thank you card after you got a great gift. If, say a year or two later, you are using said gift and you think of the gift giver there should be nothing stopping you from sending another thank you card. "I was getting ready for a party and decided to wear the earrings you gave me last year for my birthday. It made me think of you and how grateful I am to have you in my life." Even unexpected thank you cards are appreciated.

When I was trying to get my first job out of college, you know a job that required a resume not a form application, all the professors and recruiters advised us to follow up after interviews with a hand written thank you note. This was in the days before email, but I would still do this if I had an interview today.

A hand-written note tells the recipient "I thought about you. I put time, talent and treasure toward showing my gratitude. You really matter to me."

Can you think of any other times when a thank you note is appropriate? See you in the comment section.

Happy Crafting,