How to Write A Thank You Note

Procrastinating on those thank you's? Don't know what to say or how to say it? Read these step-by-step instructions on creating a thank you note that is thoughtful, sincere, and personal no matter who you are thanking or what you are thanking them for. Showing your gratitude can be fun, creative, and rewarding. With these steps, you'll put a smile on someone's face, make them feel truly appreciated, and never be stuck with writer's block on a thank you note again.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Blue or Black Pen - if you're comfortable with a fountain pen, use it. If not, don't even attempt something with runny ink. They will run all over your hand and create a mess on your pretty note.
• High Quality Thank You Stationary for Formal Thank You Notes (think interviews, wedding or engagement gifts, recommendation letters, etc.). Try Crane's and choose 100% cotton in a beige or ecru color
• Personable Thank You Stationary for Casual Thank You Notes (think birthdays, dinner parties, baby showers, housewarming gifts etc.) These should show your personality - your favorite colors, your name
• Postage - almost any thank you note would require only one stamp for US mail, but if you have picked an exceptionally large and heavy thank you note and envelope, you might want to weigh it to make su
• Complete mailing address(es) - in the age of email, we rarely have an updated mailing address of even our closest friends and family. Make sure you have this lined up before you begin.

1. Formal Note Find Your Stationary. If the occasion calls for a more formal thank-you note, do it in style with a heavy, 100% cotton high quality stationary in an off-white, beige, ecru or other similar shade. If the occasion is more casual, consider a colorful, personable stationary from a party or craft store that is uniquely you.
2. Have a list of the gifts you received next to you. What did this person get you? How do you plan to use it?
3. Apply Greeting - Dear, Hey/Hi if you know the person very well and are keeping the invitation casual, To (if you must). Skip two lines to begin the next step.
4. Write "Thank you so much for ______ (make sure to name the actual gift you received or the reason you are thanking them). Name one thing you plan on doing with the gift or if thanking for an interview or action, list what you appreciated from the event.
5. Write one or two lines that speak to how appreciative you were for their particular presence at the event. "We're so happy we could celebrate our anniversary with old friends who knew us before we were an "us." Or "I am especially appreciative that with your busy schedule as clinical chair that you were able to squeeze me in at the last minute."
6. If appropriate, mention lastly something that you and the recipient shared at the occasion. This will make the note even more unique and personal for the reader. For instance, "Your advice on time management and to-do lists has been invaluable - I'm already putting it into action." Or "I tried that cocktail recipe you gave me and it's been divine - next time we double date, I'm making them for all of us!"
7. Reiterate your appreciation either in closing if it's a casual thank you, or as a separate paragraph if formal. If for an interview or other business thank you, include "if you need anything else, you can contact me at..."
8. Write a closing and sign your name. If you know the person well, your first name will do, but if you're writing to a potential boss make sure you write your full name. Closings include: Best, Best Regards, Regards, Sincerely, Love, Always, With Love, All The Best, or simply Thank You Again

Tips & Warnings

• Write in the handwriting you are neatest at. If you have a more legible print style than script, stick to print or block style.
• If you are feeling especially creative, you can create your own thank you cards with colorful thick papers from the craft store and fun envelopes
• Make sure to weigh your cards if you are picking especially thick stationary and/or inserting pictures or other items. You may need two stamps for heavier cards.
• If you are writing a thank you note for an interview or special invitation, wait no longer than 2 - 3 days to send your thank you note.
• If you are writing a thank you note for a birthday or casual party, you should typically send one out to your guests within the two weeks following your occasion.
• For a wedding, you are "allowed" a grace period because you are newlyweds and have a honeymoon to attend to. You should wait no longer than 3 weeks - 1 month post the wedding to start getting those out. Mail them as you write them so if you got 25 done today, send out 25. Then another 25 the next day.
• Only use a fountain pen or other very inky writing device if you are comfortable using them. It's not something you should try out for the first time on your new stationary. If you're not experienced, they can run and scratch on your notes, smudge, etc.
• When making a gift list, include details that will help you easily recall the gift. For example, engraved leather brown briefcase, gift certificate for free day of beauty.
• Don't copy/paste. The person you are writing to can easily tell when you're writing a "canned" letter. If it sounds too generic, don't send it.
• Don't procrastinate too long. This doesn't need to be perfect - just personal. if you send out a thank you months after your occasion, it will feel like an afterthought.
• Don't seal the envelope before writing the name and address on the cover. You may easily forget who you just wrote a note to if you are doing hundreds and you will need to re-open and reseal if you need to double check where you're sending it to.