Gratitude 101: How to Write a Thank-You Note

The Christmas tree is out at the curb. The menorrah is packed neatly away.  Now, ’tis the season for expressing your gratitude for all of those wonderful and/or heartfelt gifts you received.  While the thought of writing thank-you notes can be daunting in this age of email, it is much easier than you think and so much more appreciated than an email.  Without further ado, sit down with some beautiful stationery and show your gratitude.  Here’s a quick how-to to get you started. . . .

1.  Greet the Giver – although an obvious one, the “Dear Aunt Jane” line is often overlooked.

2.  Express your Gratitude – without any unnecessary lead-ins, simply say “Thank you so much for the fill in the blank.”  If the gift was money, thank them for their generosity but do not directly mention money.

3.  Discuss Use -  say something nice about the gift and how you will use it.

4.  Mention the Past, Allude to the Future – let the giver know how they fit into your life.  {“It was great to see you at Jenny’s birthday party, and I hope to see you soon.”}

5.  Grace – express your thanks one more time.

6.  Regards – Simply wrap up the note using whatever sign-off feels right to you (love, yours truly, etc.).

7.  Get it in the mail – address the envelope, stick a great stamp on it, and post it.  Think of the sense of accomplishment you will feel, the way your giver will feel appreciated, and the continued stream of gifts you will receive from a happy giver!

For a little more help and inspiration, check out our selection of books on writing notes.  And, of course, if you’re in need of stationery, we have a fabulous assortment of great items!