How to Respond to Thank You Notes

Thank you notes often follow formal parties and occasions where gifts are given or exchanged.

It's common practice for hosts and gift recipients to send out thank you notes after a special occasion like a wedding or a birthday party. When you leave a gift at one of these events, the host of the party will collect the names and send out thank you notes to everyone who was involved, to let each of you know that your present was specifically appreciated. Respond to these notes with a brief "thank you" of your own.

Instructions

1. Telephone the person that sent you the thank you note. Tell her that you had a pleasant time and were glad to be invited. This lets the host of the party know that you received the thank you note and that it was appreciated. It also makes her more likely to invite you to future events.

2. Respond to the return address on the note. If you do not have the sender's phone number, simply post a return letter stating that you received the thank you note and were happy to be able to attend the occasion. Again, this lets the person know that you received the note and will make her more likely to invite you to the next party or occasion.

3. Speak to the sender in person. If you see the sender on a regular basis or know you'll run into her again soon, you can save yourself a phone call or a stamp by just approaching her and thanking her for the note. This will allow her to know that you received the note, and also to be able to put a face to your name, if you don't know each other that well.

References

• Careers: Thank-you / Follow-up Letters
• Soul Mate Oracle: Thank You Notes