With the season of giving upon us, it’s a great time to remember the act of showing gratitude through writing thank you notes. Thoughtful gifts, kind acts and hosted events are perfect reasons to send a note of thanks to those who have done something special for you. There is no occasion or kind gesture that should go unnoticed or without a few words of appreciation. Here are a few tips and reminders to help you craft the perfect message of thanks.
With the season of giving upon us, it’s a great time to remember the act of showing gratitude through writing thank you notes. Thoughtful gifts, kind acts and hosted events are perfect reasons to send a note of thanks to those who have done something special for you. There is no occasion or kind gesture that should go unnoticed or without a few words of appreciation. Here are a few tips and reminders to help you craft the perfect message of thanks.
Note-worthy?
Do you ever wonder if you should send a thank you note for a present or a kind act? If you answered "yes," then you probably should. Plus, no one has ever been accused of being too polite or too considerate. A favor or a gift deserves a few written words of gratitude and recognizes the thoughtfulness of the giver. A thank you note is as meaningful as the gift or the act itself, and it acknowledges how much it meant to you as the recipient. Rarely is there a reason not to send a written note or letter. And, even if you choose to send an email of thanks, it is still important to send a handwritten follow-up note.
Well Written.
When you are writing a thank you note, be sure to personalize it by writing directly to the person you’re expressing gratitude to and about the specific thing they did for you. Your note can be short and to the point or it can be longer and more of a letter expressing your thanks. No matter what, it must be as unique as the person you are sending it to. It is also great practice to let the person know how you will use the gift or how their time and effort helped you. Also remember to check your spelling and grammar when writing your note, perhaps even drafting it before you commit it to stationery or a card.
Perfect Timing.
So you know you need to put pen to paper and finish your note off with a stamp. But how long do you have to write down your thoughts and send them? It is never too soon to say thank you. If you wait too long, the message may be lost altogether. Being quick to respond affirms that you’ve received their gift and that they don't need to worry whether or not it arrived. In general, for holidays, birthdays and personal gifts, sending a note within a week is best. For weddings and showers, within three weeks of the event is the appropriate amount of time. A quick response demonstrates not only gratitude but good manners.
Personality.
Maybe you don’t like to write. Perhaps finding the words to say thank you is difficult for you. It’s important to consider your relationship to the person to whom you want to send kind words. When you make it personal, it's much easier to convey your thoughts. Personal salutations, anecdotal stories or humor work for people you are close to. Formality and professionalism are key when writing thank you notes after job interviews or to business colleagues. If you still feel uncomfortable jotting down a note of thanks, draft a few lines and set them aside. Pick it up later, read your message aloud and decide if it feels right.
