by J.D.G.

Created on: April 30, 2010

I know it seems simple, but writing a thank you note is an art form unto itself.  It is also a relatively lost art form that has fallen by the wayside in our rushed modern era.  Simply put, an unfortunate number of people are either "too busy," or can't be bothered, to write a quick thank you note. 

The next time you receive a gift of any kind (a traditional present, hospitality, help moving, etc.), take a few minutes out of your day to graciously thank the gift giver.  It only takes a few minutes to send out some old fashioned gratitude, and I guarantee the recipient of the thank you note will appreciate the sentiment. 

* Step 1:
Find - or better yet, make - a beautiful card to send out to the gift giver.  A pretty card will give your thank you note a little extra flair.  If you aren't crafty, and have no time to run to the store or stationers, a simple piece of unlined writing paper will also do the trick.  It may not have the same flourish as a card, but it will be appreciated nonetheless.  After all, it is the thought behind the thank you note that matters most.  You can also get creative with other thank you note formats.  For example, I have a friend who make exquisite thank you postcards.  They are unconventional, stunning, and inexpensive to send. 

* Step 2:
Always address the thank you note with the recipient's name - make it personal, and tailor it based on your relationship to the recipient.  For example, "Dear Marita," "To my friend Alex," "Hi, Aunt Micki!" etc.

* Step 3:
Express your gratitude for whatever gift you received.  A few examples: "Thank you so much for the delicious meal on Saturday night...," "I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for all of your help decorating the house for Bob's 50th birthday party...," etc.

* Step 4:
Let your thank you note recipient know why you are so grateful, and/or (when appropriate) what you will be doing with your gift.  Keep this area relatively brief, and use straightforward language.  For example, "I will be putting that carry on bag to good use during my travels to Russia this autumn," or "Your mincemeat pie was amazing, and just what I had been craving!"

* Step 5: Compliment the thank you note recipient, and let her know that she is an appreciated part of your life.  The whole point of a thank you note is to show your gratitude for the gift giver's thoughtfulness, so make it a point to recognize it with statements such as, "You're such a giving friend," or "I am lucky to have such a thoughtful aunt." 

* Step 6: Sign off with a personal touch, and make it appropriate for the thank you note recipient.  "Best Wishes," "With Love," "All My Best," and "Warmly" can all be appropriate closings depending on the card recipient. 

Last, but not least, try to mail off your thank you note within about a week of receiving a gift. 

If you followed all of these steps - congratulations!  You just infused a little bit of retro chic grace into your modern life!

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