Helpful Tips for Writing Thank You Notes

Writing Thank You Notes can seem to be a very daunting task, but these helpful tips will have you writing perfect thank-you's in no time at all!

Remember, a good Thank-You is generous, specific, prompt, succinct and personal.

Thank you notes should be sent within a week, strive to be prompt but remember late is always better than never!  If you do find yourself sending them out a bit later than you would like do not start the note with an apology.  Instead, always try to start and end on a positive note.

Similarly, do not start your note with the words ‘Thank you’.  Instead try:

  • I was so pleased to….
  • You were so nice to….
  • What a nice surprise….
  • It was a treat when we….

Be Specific!  Include the occasion you received it for and how you plan to use the gift (especially for monetary gifts).  If someone has complimented the gift, that is always a nice thing to mention to the giver as well. If a gift was mailed to you, first send an email to the giver letting them know the gift arrived safely and then follow up with a thank-you note a few days later. It is always nice to include the date in the top corner.  Strive for a minimum of three sentences.

Remember, ‘if it came in wrapping paper you should write a Thank-You note!’ (Margaret Shephard).