There is no trick to writing the perfect thank you – as there are many ways to write a personal note of appreciation. But there are a few etiquette guidelines to keep in mind.
Here’s the basic method for composing a proper thank you note, every time:
- Begin with a greeting.
- Express your gratitude sincerely.
- Let them know why their specific gift is appreciated by you.
- Inquire after the other person or share a little news (optional).
- Let them know you appreciate them one last time.
- Close the letter.
Find the rest in 10 Tips for Writing the Perfect Thank You Note.
Now that you know how to structure your note, here are common mistakes to avoid and answers to FAQs about writing and sending thank-you notes.
Remember to write notes after you receive a nice gift, attend a dinner party or interview, or someone helps you in any way.
FAQs & Helpful Hints (from Rosalie Maggio, author of “How to Say It”)
- Early gifts? When gifts arrive early for an event, do not write thank-you notes until after the special day. You may write acknowledgment cards if you wish.
- Mention the money? Some authorities recommend not mentioning the amount of a money gift. They suggest instead writing about the other person’s kindness, generosity, or, perhaps, extravagance. Other authorities recommend mentioning the exact amount and telling how you plan to spend it. Generally, people don’t want to hear that you’re saving it, unless they know you have a special college, travel, or house down-payment fund. If the donor has indicated some purpose for the money (”I want you to buy yourself a really good pen that you’ll have all your life”), be obliging.
- Didn’t like the gift? When you are thanking someone for a gift, dinner party, favour, or advice that wasn’t at all to your taste, focus on the giver rather than on the gift. Express your appreciation for thoughtfulness and generosity rather than for the gift or favour itself. It is generally possible to find something to say that is both truthful and positive of either the gift or its giver.
- To respond to a congratulatory message that is flattering and enthusiastic about your achievements or talents, say “thank you” first of all. Then be gracious. Eleanor Hamilton says, “A compliment is a gift, not to be thrown away carelessly unless you want to hurt the giver.” It is easier to handle a compliment if you reflect it back to the giver (”how nice of you to write,” “your letter touched me,” “how thoughtful of you”).
- A few letter-writing authorities dislike seeing “Thanks again” at the end of a thank-you note. However, this is a popular and harmless way of reminding the other person of the purpose of the letter. If you like it, use it.
- When more than one person gives you a gift, personalized thank-you notes are sent to each person. You do not need to do this when you receive a gift from a family (even when all five of them sign the card) or when you receive a gift from a group such as your bridge club, teachers at your school, your co-workers. You can write one letter to the group but be sure that it is circulated or posted so that everyone who contributed to the gift sees it.
- Elizabeth Post, continuing Emily Post’s work as an etiquette resource, says the thank-you note is one of the three kinds of letters that should be hand-written whenever possible (the other two are letters of condolence and formal replies to invitations). Typed thanks are OK when they are part of a long, personal letter to family or friends. Business thanks can also be typed, although the handwritten note carries a little warmer message when that is the effect you want.
- When you need to thank many people, it is appropriate (and, in some areas, expected) to insert a thank-you notice in the local newspaper. The nurses, doctors, hospital staff, friends, and family who helped someone through a long and demanding illness are often thanked this way. The funeral of a public figure may inspire hundreds of notes of condolence, which are best acknowledged in a newspaper announcement. Recently-elected officials thank those who worked and voted for them. The wording is simple and warm: “We wish to thank all the generous and loving friends and family who sent cards and gifts on the occasion of our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
Other Etiquette Tips for Thank-You Notes
(from Elizabeth Mayhew)
*** When you receive a gift from a number of givers, you must write to each person separately, unless of course the gift was from a family or a collective group of coworkers. In that case, you can address the givers collectively and request that your note be circulated or posted.
*** Sometimes a thank-you note is not enough. If a friend goes out of her way for you, or friends invite you to be their houseguest for the weekend, then you need to give more than a note.
(Think wine, giftcard, dinner, reciprocal arrangement.)
Key Takeaways & Things to Remember When Writing a Business Thank-You Note
- Keep it short
- 1 or 2 sentences about what you enjoyed about your conversation, the gift, the gesture, etc.
- Reiterate interest (if interviewing for a job)
- No typos!
- Fonts: Should not be too big or too small, Black color preferably, Conservative/Common font style
- Refrain from emojis, smiley faces, winks and too many exclamation points (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- No ALL CAPS
- Send within 24-48 hours of your interaction
- Email is the standard form today, but if you’d like to opt for handwritten, go for it.
- An effective job-seeking strategy as well as a gesture of courtesy is sending a thank-you note after a job interview. Write the note immediately after the interview (before a decision is made), mentioning what you liked about the interview, the company, the position. Since most of us have our most brilliant thoughts an hour or so after the interview, you can add them to your thank-you note along with any words that might redeem parts of the interview that didn’t go well. Writing the note gives you a chance to emphasize your interest in the position and to illustrate your self-starting attitude and expressive talents. It may also make you a stand-out as many people do not write thank-yous for an interview.
- Business entertaining is often taken for granted, but a brief thank-you is appreciated and builds goodwill: “Business people appreciate receiving a thank-you letter because it adds a touch of warmth to the cold world of business.” (Harold E. Meyer)
The Lost Art of Etiquette and the Thank-You Note
Here is a video from youtube, all about the lost art of the Thank-You Note. I love the idea of having a Stationery Wardrobe. And a stationary wardrobe too; although, I think most of us have one of those already.
Related
Wedding Thank You Cards: The Complete Guide to Acknowledging Gifts
50 Thank-You Notes for Teacher Appreciation
How to Write a Thank-You Note for Your Babysitter
Write a Thank-You Note Your Dad Will LOVE
How to Show Appreciation in Different Cultures
