Christmas thank you notes made easy
As a kid I loved getting presents, but the experience was always a bit dampened by the requisite mass of thank you notes my mom would make me write afterwards. I still love getting presents but I’d like to think I’ve matured a bit over the years and that I now understand the pleasure a well-written thank you note can bring to the gifter.
Still, writing thank you notes can be time-consuming and monotonous so I’ve provided some tips below to help make this after-Christmas task less of a chore:
*Make a List: If you haven’t kept track throughout the holidays, take 10 minutes to sit down and write out the gifts you’ve received and who gave them to you. Draw a checkbox next to each name so you can cross off names as you complete each note.
*Pick a Stationery: Unless you want to write a novel, stick with notecard sized stationery in a design that won’t detract from the message. One of my favorite gifts was a very nice stationery set with a brown/pink border and my name engraved in pink calligraphy at the top. Plain, elegant and there’ll never be any confusion who sent it. You’ll be surprised how much more fun writing thank you notes is when you actually like your stationery.
*Write the note: And by write, I mean NO email and NO print outs (unless your handwriting is so illegible doctors can’t even read it). A handwritten note not only conveys a personal touch, it also shows the receiver that you spent precious time and energy crafting it.
Pick a pen you enjoy writing with - ideally in blue or black ink - and then start to draft your note. There are six elements you should include in a note:
- Salutation - Address the note the way you would refer to the person normally i.e. “Dear Uncle Bill”
- Sincere Gratitude - Express thanks for the item or gesture i.e. “Thank you so much for the No More Ouch Bikini Waxing Kit.”
- Suggest Use- Say something complimentary about the item and then describe how you will use it i.e. “I used to dread this activity but now it’s as easy and painless as brushing my teeth. Your gift will especially come in handy for my trip to Brazil in March.”
- Speak of the Past, Look to the Future - If applicable, make a comment about the last time you saw them and when you hope to see them again i.e. “I enjoyed seeing you at Gran’s house for Christmas, and I hope to see you again in February at Aunt Patty’s retirement party.”
- Say it Again - Round-out the note and signal you’re close to the end by expressing your gratitude again i.e. “Thank you again for your wonderful present.”
- Sign-off and Signature - End your note with an appropriate sign-off and your signature i.e. “Love, Saver”
*Send your notes: Generally, thank you notes should be sent within a week of receiving the gift. Double-check that you have the correct address, print it legibly and make sure you have correct postage to prevent any delays.
BONUS: Although standard thank you notes are perfectly acceptable, if you really want to impress include a photo of the present being put to use. For example, did they give you a sweatshirt from your alma mater? Take a picture of you wearing it with a big smile on your face. Get a new fishing rod? Stage a photo of you with the fishing rod holding a “just-caught” trout (buy it at the store if you have to). Seeing the gift being put to use and bringing obvious joy is, in my opinion, the best thank you a person can get.
Related posts:
Filed under Personal |Leave a Reply