Keeping It Short And Sweet: Anatomy Of A Thank You Note

Sending a physical thank-you note through “snail-mail” has somewhat become a thing of the past, a little old fashioned perhaps, but it’s a great way to show someone how grateful you are. We’re now in the electronic age where it’s quicker and maybe a bit more convenient to whip up an email and fire it off without giving it too much thought. While receiving thanks through an email is nice it’s not nearly as nice or as personable as receiving a note in the old mail box.

Whether sending a hand written note, which in today’s world is extra special, or sending an electronic thank-you there are a few things to keep in mind. It doesn’t have to be long and wordy, short and sweet usually works best. So I present to you:

The anatomy of a thank-you note

The greeting: This refers to the person you are greeting. Make sure it is appropriate for the person you are sending it to. In a business context you will be more formal than if you are addressing family or friends.

Dear Jim and Linda,

Dearest Auntie Joan,

Dear Mr. Smith,

The personal remark: Write something about the context in which you received the gift. Was it at a wedding, a baby shower or house warming? If it wasn’t a physical gift but rather a job interview then acknowledge the time they took to meet with you.

We were so glad that you could come to Alex’s baby shower and meet him in person.

Bob and I were so happy that you could make it to our wedding and share in our special day.

I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me over lunch today.

The thank-you: This is important, it should be personal and specific. Although it doesn’t have to be wordy, you should specifically mention the gift that you are thanking them for and if applicable, mention your intended use of the item.

Thank you for the serving platter. It matches my set perfectly and is on display in the china cabinet ready for Thanksgiving.

Many thanks for the new clock, it really fits in with the decor in my livingroom.

The wrap up: This is simply the closing remarks.

Sincerely, Gail

With warm regards, Bill

Best wishes, Joan

Here’s an example:

Dear Jim and Linda,

Doug and I were so glad that you could come to our wedding and share in our special day.

Thank you so much for the set of wine goblets they match our set perfectly! We can’t wait to use them when we get back from our honeymoon.

Thanks again for your generous gift.

Sincerely,

Doug and Julie

What can I send a thank-you note for?

You can send a thank-you note for anything you want to express gratitude for.  For gifts from a baby shower, wedding, housewarming, going away, welcome home or dinner party. Express thanks for a nice evening out, for being invited to a great party, for help you received in writing a report. Really anything.

How late is too late to send a thank-you note?

The simple answer: it’s better late than never.

Ideally, you should send out your thank-you note within the first 2 weeks of receiving a gift or participating in an event. There is an exception when it comes to things like a wedding for example, then I feel a note sent within the first two months would be perfectly acceptable.

A lot of times we freeze when it comes to the thought of writting a thank-you note. But following these simple suggestions will will make for a pleasant experience on behalf of you and the recipient.

Do you send physical thank-you notes or do you use electronic means? Which do you prefer receiving? How long has it been since you have thanked someone for a gift or a good deed? Should you be writing one now?

Photo courtesy of: TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³

See also:

Gratitude Journal: 30 Days To Happiness

Grab the Reins and Enjoy Your Life

Tips To Enjoy Life

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Keeping It Short And Sweet is a series of posts done every Thursday at Serene Journey. We will address topics that we are interested in learning a bit more about, topics that are generally useful and those that have helped us enjoy life just that little bit more. If you have any suggestions for this series feel free to drop us an email or leave them in the comments.