How to Address Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes are a great way to express appreciation to friends and family members for a special gift or thoughtful action. These notes are commonly sent following weddings, birthday parties, showers and graduations. Address the thank-you note appropriately to show respect and gratitude to the recipient.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thank-you notes with matching envelopes
• Address book

1. Create a list of individuals to whom you want to show appreciation by sending a thank-you note.

2. Make sure you have updated addresses for everyone on your list before writing the notes.

3. Use a more formal approach when writing names on an envelope. Use a first and last name for an individual (such as "Mary Brown") and a combined name for couples (such as "Dan and Mary Brown"). For families, add the child's name after the parents' names ("Dan and Mary Brown and Laura"). It is also acceptable to list just the family name ("Brown Family").

4. Write out the address using two lines immediately below the names. The street address should be featured on the second line and the city, state and zip code should be listed on the third line. Separate the city, state and zip with commas. You may also choose to write the zip code on a fourth line, as long as you indent it. Always spell out commonly abbreviated terms such as "Street" and "Road." Use full names for states, as well.

5. Include your return address on the back of the envelope in the center of the flap.

6. Use a more personal approach when addressing recipients on the interior of the card. Use a salutation such as "Dear" and follow it with the person's first name. For couples or families, make sure to list the first name of each recipient. A comma should follow the names.

Tips & Warnings

• The card's message should be handwritten to give it a personal touch, but you can save time by using labels for your return address and the recipient's address. You can also print directly onto the envelope if you are computer savvy.
• When using a title to preface a name, use "Ms." if the recipient is a woman and you aren't sure how she prefers to be addressed.
• Write legibly to make sure the address is readable.
• Avoid an embarrassing situation by checking to make sure that all names are spelled correctly. Sending a note with a proper name misspelled is disrespectful and will undoubtedly diminish the meaning of the message.