It's the holiday time of year. Which means, among many other things, that it's likely you're going to be writing some thank you notes for gifts.
Gifts?!?!?!? Yay! So kind! So fun! So generous of folks!
But thank you notes?
Ummmmm.
What do we say? When? Uh . . . . .
Here are some tips to help.
How to StartAccording to Margaret Shepherd in The Art of the Personal Letter, a good place to start is "by mentioning the gift by name, and describe how you benefited." Let the giver know how you appreciated what she gave to you.
Words to Use
Here are some great "thank you" words and their companion friends:
* grateful
* kind
* glad
* generous
* appreciate
* enjoy
* thankful
Be specific
Let the giver know specifically what he did or gave that you appreciated. In other words, "Your hand-delivered turkey pot pie sure warmed my tummy last Tuesday night!" instead of, "You are such a good person! I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you." In the same vein, be realistic about the transaction. Don't exaggerate indebtedness, affect, etc. Just be kindly grateful.
Focus on the gift
Write most about what you liked that the giver did. If there are things about which you feel ill-at-ease -- from being late with the note to not giving back in kind, or anything else -- try to work it out for yourself, instead of writing out your distress in the thank you letter. Indeed, if you feel like you wish you gave more, or wrote a letter earlier, one of the nicest things you can do is write a very, very kind note . . . in which you do not lament that you suck. (Which you probably don't, anyway.)
When to send
In this day of e-mails, tweets, Facebook walls and messaging, writing an actual note and sending it in the mail becomes more and more rare. And all the more delightful to receive. So, why not bust them out, especially folks do something extra special for you?
It's never too late after you've received a kindness, and never too soon. And folks LOVE receiving real mail. It's so completely retro, old school, endearing.
Here's hoping you are giving and getting many lovely, heart-felt gifts this season, and that there will also be thank you notes -- in the sending, and in the receiving -- as well!
2 comments:
Not sure what the proper form for "thank you" would be on this platform ... but regardless of form, thank you for this post that reminds us how lovely it is to get that "completely retro, old school" card in the mail! :)
Yes, I feel that way too -- thank you the reminder of how special that rare occurrence of in person mail has become! I've been thinking of sending cards on a bi-monthly basis to my mama. Now where is the closest brick and mortar that sells your cards?
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