Thursday, January 8, 2009

Thank You Very Much!

With the holidays just passed, it's the perfect time to send those little hand-written thank you notes for lovely gifts received and parties and visits hosted during the season. Writing thank you notes may seem a bit daunting, but it really is easier than you may remember - as with so many things, just starting is the hardest part.

First, choose your stationery. A beautiful folded note card or personalized flat notes would be the perfect backdrop for your note. Full sized stationery may be a bit large, as your note will likely be brief, but if you're up for filling a page, then you can certainly make that your choice. There are loads of wonderful options out there, both specifically for thank you notes or just lovely stationery, many suitable for children as well as adults. Make your stationery choice speak to your personality!

Now, for the note.

1. Start with a personalized greeting.

Dear Auntie Mary,

2. Express your gratitude, specifically. “Thank you for the gift” doesn’t cut it.

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand-knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

(Easy, right? Just a couple more guidelines. For a monetary gift, do not mention the specific amount, but thank the gift-giver for their generosity. If the note is for a host or hostess, thank them for their hospitality.)

3. Describe how you will use the gift or provide more specifics.

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

(For a monetary gift or gift card, you may also mention how you plan to use it, for example "I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins". For a host or hostess, give some specifics about your visit that were particularly memorable, for example "Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable".)

4. Personalize a bit more, mentioning something in the past and / or future.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

(You're almost done.... this isn't so hard, is it?)

5. Give your thanks again, and close.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


And there you have it! Here are examples of a few completed notes….

Dear Auntie Mary,

Thank you so much for the beautiful hand knitted scarf and gloves. You are so talented!

We are off to a cold and snowy start to the winter, and I'm certain they'll get much use over the coming months. The raspberry color is gorgeous, and will brighten the gray winter days ahead.

I have always wanted to learn to knit, and am hoping you'll come for a visit and perhaps give me a little lesson. I'll give you a call in the next week or so to see if we can arrange a date.

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


Dear Larry and Michelle,

Thank you so much for your hospitality. Dinner was fabulous, as always, and you invite such an interesting group of friends, making the conversations unforgettable.

I am planning to get some friends together next month for dinner at my house, and will call to check dates with you!

Thanks again!
Fondly,
Molly



Dear Uncle Pete,

Thank you for your generosity. I have been saving for new golf clubs, and now look forward to having them before golf season begins.

I can’t wait for the first day of golfing (after the snow melts, of course). I’ll give you a call so we can make a day of it!

Thanks again!
Love,
Molly


See how easy that was! And if you check back later today, you’ll find a post with a lovely selection of thank you cards. Surely there will be at least one to inspire you to write your notes!

Molly, Artful Sentiments

photo courtesy of Artful Sentiments

3 comments:

  1. I have a question, if you don't mind. I was just thrown a bridal shower with over 50 guests and 11 hostesses. Half of the hostesses I had never met, and half of the ones I had never met were not even at the shower. I have no idea how to word thank you cards for the hostesses, especially the ones I do not know that were not at the shower. Thank you for hosting? Thank you for wanting to be a part of the most special time in my life?

    Also, How do I keep from copying the same thing for each hostess? What if they compare notes and the sentiments are too similar?

    Thanks for any advice you can give, because I've been stressing myself out for the last week about this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Micah, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! It sounds like you have a lot of lovely family and friends wanting to make your whole experience special. I have a few thoughts on your hostess thank you notes. You can thank them for being generous with their time and talents in hosting such a lovely event. If you know of any of their specific contributions, you should hightlight them. For example, if they worked on invitations or decorations, let them know how special those were. That will help you to send different notes to each hostess. For those that didn't attend, and that you don't know, express how you are looking forward to meeting them (at the wedding, perhaps?). Another tip I use whenever I'm writing... I use the thesaurus endlessly. There are some words I just adore, so I use them often, but the thesaurus really helps when I want to say something a little different.

    You can feel free to email me at molly(at)artfulsentiments.com and I'd be glad to help you out a bit more, or answer any more questions!

    Oh, and one more thing. Breathe... this shouldn't be stressful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have made it all seem wonderfully easy- thank you! And here I was, not utilizing thesaurus.com that is blatantly poised in my search toolbar!

    Thanks again for your advice!

    ReplyDelete

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