How to Write a Thank You Note for a Strange Gift

It happens to every bride and groom--the strange wedding gift. You either can't figure out what it is, or can't figure out why your guest thought you'd want it. This can make writing thank you note challenging. Here's how to express your appreciation, even when you can't determine what the giver had in mind.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Thank the guest for attending your wedding. Wedding thank you notes aren't just about gift acknowledgement, they also express appreciation for the guest's appearance. If the guests were absent, you can thank them for thinking of you on your special day, or wish that they'd been able to attend.

2. Include one specific comment about the gift to avoid a generic-sounding thank you note. If you know what the gift is, this step is easy. "Candle holders are such a romantic gift" is appropriate, even if those candle holders are made out of old bottle caps. If you're not sure what the gift is supposed to be, comment on the wonderful color.

3. Express gratitude for anything handmade. Those knitted dish towels might not go with your gourmet kitchen, but tell Aunt Mary how wonderful it is to have something made by her in your home. Thank the guest for her time and thoughtfulness. This way, if you are a purist, you won't to lie about how much you love the handmade item.

4. Change the subject. Unless you're an adept liar, it's hard to go on for more than a sentence about how wonderful this strange wedding gift is. So your next sentence can be small talk: wish the guest's children well, say you can't wait to see him next Christmas. Write anything that reinforces your relationship with the guest and politely move the focus away from the gift.

5. Close the letter with a "thank you."

Tips & Warnings

• Don't regift your strange wedding gift to anyone even two degrees of separation from the guest. Cousin Shirley would be crushed to find the remote control cozies she knitted for you in her neighbor's daughter's house. Plus, if you don't like the gift, chances are that other brides and grooms won't either.
• Preprinted thank you notes are tacky. Even if you don't like the gift, take the time to write a personalized, handwritten letter.