So someone did something nice for you, now what?!
We're taught from a very young age to appreciate the kindness and generosity of others. The best way to show that appreciation is to say ' thank you.' Of course you can say it verbally, but a hand-written thank you note really shows that you care enough to sit down and write about it. Many people have never been taught to write notes, let alone how, but there's never a better time to learn! Even if your writing style could use a little help, any note is better than the alternative.
There are so many reasons to send a thank you card... maybe your dad helped fix your car last weekend or a friend stayed up late helping you feel better after you lost your job. Of course you would send a note after receiving a gift, but consider extending a thank you for intangible things, like the gift of time.
To begin a thank you note, first think of the gift you received. Why did someone give this to you? How will you enjoy using it? Have you already gotten use out of it? What did you purchase with the money your grandmother sent for your birthday? Answering these kinds of questions will give you something to write about.
Choosing the right card
There are endless possibilities to consider when choosing a thank you card, but don't forget that the most important thing is just getting the card in the mail. Your cards from a custom shop or from the dollar store will mean just as much to the receiver, although if you have the time and resources, consider visiting your local stationery store or browsing online. When designing personalized thank you cards that will be used for many occasions, it will benefit you to choose a neutral paper stock. Consider just having your name printed at the top or bottom, and your return address printed on the envelope. This allows you to use your personalised stationery for any purpose, and you'll never be caught off guard, running to the store!
What about children?
It may be an afterthought for most people, but encouraging your children to write thank you notes is very important. Children are the recipients of gifts more often than adults, and this provides the perfect opportunity for you, as a parent, to teach a child what it means to write 'thank you'. Giving your child the chance to learn etiquette early will certainly benefit them in the long run. You may even consider creating custom kids stationary. You can certainly have a good time with the design, allowing them to choose which color to print their name, as well as a fun motif. Children's stationery will make your child feel important, and excite them to write!
What to include in your note
Your thank you card need not be long-winded. It's easy to think of writing a thank you card as a time-consuming chore, but you can effectively do the job in as little as 5 minutes. You will first address the person who gave you the gift / service and thank them. It's a nice addition to specifically mention what you received to make it more personal (i.e. "thank you for the massage gift certificate" instead of "thank you for the Christmas gift"). Write a sentence or two expressing gratitude and how much you have enjoyed / will enjoy the gift. If you haven't seen the addressee in some time, include wishes for well-being, and sign the stationary. That's it!
The power of thanks
There's the obvious reason for sending thank you stationery cards: you let someone know you appreciate their thought and time and they, in turn, get that warm, fuzzy feeling. But consider this thank you as a reflection back on you. The receiver of your fine stationary will note your consideration and think fondly on it. This can increase the likelihood of them extending their generosity again in the future. Merely verbalizing thanks doesn't leave the same kind of lasting impression that handwritten, personalized thank you cards can. Imagine applying for the same job that many others applied to as well. Sending a note after an interview expressing your thanks, and excitement about the position, plants a seed. Your name is easier to separate from the rest and your future employer will see your diligence, persistence, and polite acknowledgment.
It's never too late to express gratitude!
You may think too much time has passed since you received a gift to send a thank you note, but gratitude can be appreciated anytime. Perhaps it's May, and you never sent your Christmas thank you cards. Consider sending a note to just say hello, and casually mention that you can't recall whether you thanked them for the gifts they gave you. Write how much enjoyment you've experienced from their gift, and then move on to another topic. Your thanks will surely be appreciated, especially as it was most likely assumed you had forgotten, and it gives you the opportunity to check in.
What NOT to include in your thank you note
Hopefully, the majority of gifts you receive will be enjoyed, but on the off chance that you completely dislike it, keep these feelings to yourself. You don't have to lie in your thank you note, but you don't need to overdo it either. Imagine your mother-in-law gives you hideous clothes every Christmas, most of which don't fit. There's no need to mention in your note how much you like them (because you don't), as this can encourage her to purchase something along the same lines next year. The point isn't that you like or don't like what someone gives you, but moreover that you appreciate their generosity and thought. Just address this in your stationary cards, and avoid commenting one way or the other on the item.
Key words: Children's Stationery, Kids Notepad
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