The Do's and Don'ts of Thank You Notes

There is nothing quite like opening your mailbox and being greeted by a handwritten thank-you note from a close friend or family member! In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, thank-you notes often get swept under the rug. We get it…writing thank-you notes can be time consuming. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be a thank-you note writing machine in no time!

Today, we are giving you the do’s and don’ts of writing thank-you notes so getting through that stack of note cards will be a breeze.

DO use personalized stationery.

It doesn’t have to be the fanciest set you can get your hands on, but it does look a lot nicer to write your note on a set of personalized stationery. If you are in the market for some stationery, we know a thing or two about it and can help you find the perfect set for you!

DO personalize the message.

Avoid using cookie cutter templates for your notes. Let the person know that you appreciate the gift and how you plan to use it. If you are going to see the person soon, you could refer to that (e.g. I can’t wait to catch up with you at Susan’s birthday party next week!).

DO keep it short and sweet.

A thank you note is meant to show your appreciation, not write an essay. A few sentences will suffice.

DO double-check spelling and grammar.

There’s no use in sending a thank you note that has so many scratch marks that it is impossible to read. Take the time to make sure there aren’t any spelling or grammar errors before slapping a stamp on it and sending it on its way!

DON’T over-think it.

If you are a perfectionist like me, you’re probably turning your nose up at this one. But trust me, it really is pretty simple. Just put honest, gracious words on paper, put a stamp on it and send!

DON’T begin with the words “Thank you”.

If you start with “Thank you for the delicious pie” — you can’t imagine what to write next. Instead, say “It was such a nice surprise to come home to find this delicious pie. Thank you for being such a thoughtful friend.”

DON’T write on the back of your stationery.

This one is a big no-no. Only the front sheet is written on, never the back. If you need more space, select a different piece from your stationery wardrobe, or use a blank second sheet.

DON’T procrastinate your gratitude.

Guilty. Yes, it is “better late than never” but it would be best to get your thank you note out as promptly after the event as possible.

Well…what are you waiting for? Those thank you notes aren’t going to write themselves! 😉