As a child, writing thank you notes was not an option. Whenever my sister or I received gifts for birthdays or Christmas, we were expected to write thank you notes in return. By the time we reached middle school, those notes were written before we’d even put away our new toys and clothes. Today, I continue to write thank you notes, and I write them even more often and for more occasions. I am a firm believer that showing gratitude in the form of a written letter not only shows that I appreciate the service, item or experience but that I also received it (in the case of a gift). I know I appreciate receiving thank you notes, so I assume that others feel the same.
I have noticed, however, that the art of the thank you note is quickly becoming a thing of the past. I honestly don’t know if some of the wedding, baby shower, holiday and graduation gifts I sent were ever received because I never received a thank you note in return, and I admit to feeling a bit slighted. My husband constantly has to remind me that my sister and I are abnormal in our thank you note writing, which I think is very unfortunate, indeed.
You can buy thank you cards in bulk. I would like to suggest that you do so, and that you make an effort to send them to the people who do something for you or who send a gift your way. If you aren’t sure what to write, there’s no need to worry. They can be short and sweet. Here is my standard formula:
Salutation: Dear Person Who Gave Me a Gift ~
Sentence one — Thank the person.: Thank you for the beautiful pack of note cards you sent for my birthday.
Sentence two — Acknowledge why you appreciate the sentiment.: I adore the fact that they’re hand printed with my initials and can’t wait to start using them!
Sentence three — Optional, if it’s appropriate to add anything else about the gift/experience.
Closing — Confirm the appreciation.: Thanks again ~ JoAnna
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My parents always had my brother and I write thank you notes for presents. I remember dreading it as a kid and every card was “Thank you for the ____. I will have fun with it.” But now I love writing them because it’s another letter to write!
I always tell my mom to buy them when we find them cheap at a store (dollar section at Michaels!) because as the years go by, you will always need them! Right now I have been writing them for graduation gifts. It’s sad to hear that it’s foreign to most people.
I agree with you that you’ll always need thank you cards. I pick them up at Michaels too, and at the One Spot in Target and similar places. Thank you notes never go out of style.
It’s been ages since I wrote a thank you note. I need to send one to my Grandma!
Time to get writing!
I love that you write thank-you notes!!! I grew up writing them and still have loads of stationary for that purpose. But my actual practice has lagged… What would I do without you?
I’m not sure, but maybe that’s a sign to pick up an old practice!