Writing Lessons & Advice: Writing Thank You Notes
- Katie Johns
- May 3
- 3 min read
On the heels of commemorating my anniversary, some of my family members are about to celebrate their own significant life milestones this year (if they haven’t already by the time of this publishing)! That’s all I’ll say out of respect for their privacy, but I can almost guarantee the impending events will entail them writing thank you notes. If you’re in a similar boat, here are some helpful things to know.
Thank you notes are a customary response to formal or even professional occasions. Many may easily think of them after a wedding, shower, birthday, graduation, or similar events, but they’re also good after a job interview or other significant business exchanges.
Thank you notes have much of the same mental, emotional, and social benefits that letters do, if not more. They express appreciation for a gift or gesture in a more personal way than a generic message or simple utterance does. Writing a thank you note goes an extra mile and leaves a good impression with the recipient! I know that after a big event, thank you notes for each of your gifts or attendees may seem daunting, but they will be pleased with the personal effort you take to express what their contribution or presence means to you.
That meaningfulness is your guidepost in writing your thank you note(s). In at least three to four sentences, sum up ideas to the effect of what you appreciate about their offering and/or how you’ll use it in the future. Aim to be specific and include thoughtful details. A helpful “party trick” to this end is to enlist a family member or friend to keep a list of who gave which gifts/contributions. After the fact, that list is a memory reference as you work through your notes! Also, manage a friendly and grateful tone (or a professional one if business-related) in your writing.
Wondering which cards or paper to use? Context is one good way to decide. If you only have a few thank-yous to express, a few standalone cards or notes on clean paper should suffice. If your thank yous are after a sizeable party or event, consider a few packages to cover the number you need. Also, mind that you pick ones that are relevant to the occasion, if not blank or generic enough for all occasions. You might even consider keeping a package or small collection of “all-around” cards on-hand, so you’re a little more prepared when you need a few on the spot. Conversely, websites like Snapfish or Etsy provide services in customizing thank you cards or stationery to the event.
Another thing to consider with your thank you notes--especially if writing by hand--is writing rough drafts on a separate note page so you don’t waste cards or paper on mistakes. Proofread the rough draft and write your final copy on the stationery. Take your time forming your letters and words so the overall presentation is attractive, or at least legible enough. Whether you print or write cursive is up to what you’re comfortable with and what your recipients can read. Don't forget any honorifics where needed as well!
Finally, sending your note(s) in a timely manner is important too; while as soon as possible is best, a few weeks to a few months is fine too.
Hope this helps you better prepare and manage your thank you notes! If you're curious about writing in other cards, another lesson all about that will come soon!
If there's a topic you want me to cover in the future, you're welcome to reach out to me on the web chat feature or socials!
Sources/further reading
https://ideas.hallmark.com/articles/thank-you-ideas/thank-you-messages-what-to-write-in-a-thank-you-card/ (I believe I used this one when writing the notes after my bridal shower, BTW!)
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