Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
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The Basics
- Put the full date in the top right corner.
- Include a salutation depending on your relationship with the recipient. “Dear Aunt Sally” for a closer relationship, or “Dear
Mrs. John Smith” for one that is more formal.
- Indent your first paragraph just like you would for a paper.
- Use a closing such as “Sincerely,” “Warmest Regards,” or “Love” followed by your signature.
Many people underestimate the power of the hand-written thank-you note. Some think it is better to send an immediate e-mail
or simply say thanks in person. But, a hand-written note is the ideal way to show your appreciation. With the ever-growing
popularity of technology, the art of writing an “old-school” note is being lost. It may seem daunting and maybe a bit archaic
to pick up a pen and a stationery card, but just remember these tips and you’ll soon be a pro.
Do’s
- Handwrite the note. Don’t just apply these tips to your e-mail thank-yous. Although it would be easier to send an e-mail or type a letter, a
handwritten thank-you note is the most sincere and appreciated form of gratitude. The extra effort goes a long way.
- Buy stationery. Embossed cards with complementary envelopes look much better than folded notebook paper stuffed in a plain envelope. You
don't have to splurge on embossed or monogrammed stationery from a specialty store. You can find decent sets at office supply
stores and online.
- Personalize it. Not just in the personalized stationery, but in what you actually say. If you’re going to see the person in the future, refer
to the event and say you’re looking forward to it. If the person gave you a silver picture frame, don’t simply thank them
for it, but add, “I plan on using the frame for a wedding picture in my living room.”
- Even if it’s late, send a note. Don’t feel embarrassed. It’s better to send a late thank-you than none at all.
- Take your time. An illegible note won’t do much good and neither will one with scratch marks all over it. Use a nice, fine point pen, so
the ink won’t bleed or smudge. Traditionally, thank-you notes are written in cursive. Sometimes this can look like a mess
if your cursive is not up-to-par, so use your best judgment and do what you think looks best.
- Send thanks for trivial things. Why not? Whether it’s for a casual get-together or for a neighbor who collected your mail and watered your plants while you
were gone, a hand-written note is the best way to show your appreciation. It may also ensure that you’ll get the invite or
extra help in the future.
Don’ts
- Don’t exaggerate. Of course you can rave about a gift, but don’t lie about how much you like something. It may be obvious if you say, “The
monogrammed soap is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!” Most likely you’ve seen better, so simply say, “The monogrammed
soap was very thoughtful and will be perfect for the powder room.”
- Don’t be stiff. Show your personality. It’s okay to use humor, sarcasm, or idioms to express yourself, as long as you’re not insulting the
gift. If you’re questioning whether you should write a certain joke or phrase, ask yourself if you would say it in-person.
Try to maintain the same tone with the person on paper as you would in-person.
- Don’t refer to specific amounts of money. These might seem like the hardest notes to write, but all you have to say is “I greatly appreciate your generosity. I hope
to use the money to…” Just make sure the giver would support your money plans. Your great-aunt may not support a weekend getaway
to Vegas, but she would understand a “much-needed vacation.”
- Don’t ramble. You may want to go on and on about how your new job is going, a family friend you ran into, or that new movie you saw, but
don’t. Be concise. It is a thank-you note after all, so stick to the thanks. If you feel like writing more, write them a separate
note to fill them in on your life and see how they’re doing.
- Don’t assume an in-person thanks is enough. If a person went to the trouble of hosting a party or purchasing a gift for you, you surely can take the time to write a
note. Make sure to thank the host of a party in-person, but since your thanks may get lost in the excitement, a note is a
great addition.
