Rules and Tips for Writing the Perfect Thank You Card

Writing a thank you note seems like it should be such an easy thing to do. After all, you're just saying "thank you" right? How hard can that be? However, a lot of people actually struggle with writing the "perfect" thank you note. They start stressing over the details and bully themselves with questions like:

• "How do I start?"
• "Do I sound sincere?"
• "Am I writing enough?"
• "Am I writing too much?"
• "How do I end it?"

Yikes! If this is you, you've come to the right place. Follow these 3 simple rules below to write the perfect thank you card, and then read on further for more helpful tips. :)

RULE #1 - DON'T STRESS

This is my motto for life. Seriously, just don't stress over it. If you find yourself getting worked up and stressed out, put the pen down, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. The fact that you're writing a heart-felt thank you note is enough for the recipient to be appreciative, believe me. Don't add unduly stress to your life by sweating the details.

RULE #2 - BE SINCERE

This may be the most important rule when writing a thank you note. Just be yourself and thank them from the heart, whether that means your thank you note is 1 sentence long, or fills up the entire inside and backside of the card. The length of the note doesn't matter when the message is genuine.

RULE #3 - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Thank you notes should be sent out as soon as possible, preferably within 2 weeks of receiving a gift. However, this is not always easy or possible… and that's ok! The "better late than never" rule definitely applies to thank you notes. Have you been meaning to write your note for over a month but think it's too late now? Send it anyway. You never want to forget (or knowingly brush aside the idea) to thank a family member or friend for something kind they've done for you. That's just straight up good manners.

TIPS FOR WRITING THE PERFECT THANK YOU CARD

1. If you're receiving lots of gifts at once (at a baby shower or graduation party, for example), make sure to keep a notepad ready to takes notes and jot down who gave you what gift. This way, when it comes time to thank everyone for their generous gifts, you can really personalize your cards because you'll know exactly what gifts that people gave.

2. Address the recipient by the name you normally call them. This keeps the thank you note from sounding forced and insincere. If you normally call your cousin "Ted", don't use the name "Theodore" when writing to them.

3. Get right down to it and thank them in the first sentence. Be sure to mention WHAT you're thanking them for, and try not to just thank them for "the gift." Be as specific as possible. And remember, writing down their name and gift as soon as they gave it keeps you from forgetting when it's time to thank them. Here a few examples to help get you started:

• "Thank you for…"
• "I am so happy with…"
• "It meant so much to me when…"
• "I am so thankful for…"
• "I can't thank you enough for…"

4. Tell them WHY you're thankful for their gift. Start with some of these examples below:

• "This will go great with…"
• "It will work perfect for…"
• "I can't wait to use this when…"
• "It's exactly what I needed to…"

5. End on a personal note and look to the future. Think about the next time you will see or talk to this person and mention that. You may say something like:

• "I can't wait for you to meet…"
• "Can't wait to see you at…"
• "I will let you know how…"

6. When signing off, some people are unsure whether they should use "sincerely" or go with something a little more personal. A good rule of thumb is to only use "sincerely" if you don't know the person very well. Most of the time it is perfectly fine to use a more personal sign off phrase. Here are some great examples:

• "With Love,"
• "Love,"
• "Yours truly,"
• "Thanks again,"

7. Was the gift you received something really special and meaningful to you? Then why not go the extra mile and make this thank you note really special? Sending a thank you note is a great opportunity to send along a picture of you - or better yet, a picture of you and the gift your loved one gave.