Use thank you cards to express your gratitude succinctly.
A proper thank you card is an opportunity to briefly and simply state your gratitude for a gift or favor. Composing a proper thank you card is not difficult as long as you follow a simple formula and keep your message short, personal and meaningful. Because your thank you card is not the place for news, you should be able to jot it off quickly. Just focus on thanking the giver for his kindness.
Instructions
1. Choose a card that appeals to you, reflects your feelings for the giver and is appropriate for the occasion. Your message will be brief, so opt for something rather small. Use only blue or black ink and handwrite your message. Avoid purchasing cards with preprinted, generic messages inside; they can insult the person who took time to choose a gift or show you kindness in some other way. Your personal thoughts have far greater power to convey your thanks.
2. Begin with a standard greeting. Avoid the temptation to omit the greeting or to begin your card with a casual "Hi" or "What's up?" Remember, your goal is to acknowledge the giver's generosity and to convey your sense of gratitude. Addressing the giver directly makes your overall message more sincere and personal, which is key. Write "Dear Aunt Betty," followed by a comma, and then drop down a line to begin writing the body of the thank you note.
3. Mention the item you received in the body of your message. As advice columnist Miss Manners points out, "a form letter of thanks is thoughtless," so take the time to be specific when you refer to the gift. State clearly, "Thank you for the alarm clock. Its small size makes it perfect for traveling." Avoid mentioning money by name. Instead, use generic phrases such as, "Thank you for your generous gift."
Opt for formal language when thanking someone for intangibles, such as the ride he gave you to the airport or her offer to watch the kids when you were in the hospital. "Thank you for driving me to the airport" is a better choice than, "Thanks for the lift."
4. Discuss briefly how you are using or benefiting from the gift. For example, "Now that I've started working, I need to be up and out of the house early. The alarm clock has been a lifesaver." Praise some aspect of the gift, even if you dislike it. If you hate the scarf, try writing, "It's such a striking shade of blue." If you received money, briefly mention how you intend to use it. Acknowledge how much time or effort must have gone into choosing, making and sending or delivering the gift. Use language such as, "I know how busy you are, and I appreciate how you took the time to choose such a thoughtful gift."
5. Refer to your relationship to the giver by mentioning the past and alluding to the future. For example, "It was great seeing you at my graduation party, and I look forward to meeting you for lunch some time this summer." If you don't have much of a relationship with the giver, write something standard such as, "You are in my thoughts, and I hope all is well."
Finally, repeat your gratitude with a brief sentence, such as "Thanks again for thinking of me," and then use a standard formula to close. Choose the closing that suits you and best matches the occasion. Try signing off with "Best regards, Judy," "Love, Judy" or "All the best, Judy."
