With the scarcity of hand written sentiments nowadays, a letter can be a touching and appreciated gesture. With the holiday season coming to a close, a thank you note is the perfect opportunity to show your gratitude to others and put a smile on someone’s face. Maybe you want to let your grandmother know how much you loved that knit scarf or thank a friend for helping out at the Christmas party you hosted. Perhaps, your New Year’s resolution this year is to practice gratitude. Whatever your reason, here are a few pointers on how to write the perfect thank you letter.
Make a list.
Write down all the people you wish to express your sincere thanks to. That way, you will not leave anyone out or mistakenly write duplicates. If you are writing thank you’s for gifts, write down what each person gave you so as not to get them mixed up or forget altogether.
Gather supplies.
Make sure you have correct addresses and accurate spelling of names. To make your life easier, purchase a big pack of thank you cards that you can use for multiple occasions. If you need to a write a last minute note, you will be prepared and will not have to make a trip to the store.
Keep it simple.
Longer is not always better. Convey your gratitude genuinely but keep it to the point.
Be specific.
Explain exactly what you are thankful for and why. This personalizes the card for the recipient and directly thanks the giver. For example, “I greatly appreciate that you took the time to hand knit me that scarf and for thinking of me during the holidays.”
Give an example.
Share how you have used or planned to use the gift. If you are thanking someone for helping you, explain how their aid impacted you and why it was significant. “I am so grateful for all of your help at the Christmas party. When things got hectic, you calmed my nerves and quickly solved the problem. You made the party a success and for that I thank you.”
Let them know they are in your thoughts.
Finish off the note by expressing how you are looking forward to seeing them again soon or any other sentiment that lets them know you are thinking about them. If you want to get together in the near future this would be a good spot to suggest meeting up.
Send it in a timely manner.
Do not wait too long to send those letters out. It may seem like an inconvenient task to stop by the mailbox but the sooner they are sent out the better.
Although hand written thank you cards can be a bit of a process, people will truly appreciate the fact that you took the time to personally and individually thank them. Your efforts will not go unnoticed and your gratitude may just brighten up someone’s day.
