Thank you Note Etiquette

Marshalls has a great selection of inexpensive but super cute cards. These are more fun and meant for personal thank yous. You may want to opt for something more minimal when sending professional notes.

In this technology age, we are all driven to laziness, and might I add dullness, when it comes to thanking those that have done wonderful things for us. As the world grows, people become busier and have much more important things to do than to help others. Therefore, when a person goes out of their way to help you, even if they do so unintentionally, it is  a l w a y s  best to thank them, and what better way to do so than by surprising them with an actual card. Crazy idea, right? Who sends actual thank you cards anymore? Successful and extremely well liked people, that's who.

So I have compiled a couple of dos and do nots when sending thank you notes. However, I can never stress enough that the most important aspect is to be genuine and professional, when necessary. 

Disclaimer: Since most people may feel weird and fake just writing a thank you card, fake it till you make it. The more you write, the more comfortable you will feel. Try starting off with writing thank yous to people who you are not professional dependent on like friends, family, or well known teachers. It is up to you to send them, but they will ultimately give you good practice in expressing your true feelings without going overboard.

Please Do (within 24 hours of service or gift)

1. Always greet the person by their name 

2. Thank them for their gift or service that benefitted you.

3. Explain how you were affected by the service or how you plan to use the gift.

4. Explain what they mean to you or why you are thankful for them. If you do not know them very well say something along the lines of "I'm thinking of you, and hope you're doing well."

5. Thank them, again. 

6. Close with sincerely, love, best, etc. and then sign your name.

For the Love of God, Please Do Not

1. Write 18 paragraphs about how much you adore them.

2. Ask for another service or gift.

3. Put emphasis by repeating letters or punctuations, i.e. Thank you sooo much. You are awesome!!! However, if you cannot think of a word off the top of your head, do not find a 15 letter synonym that you never knew existed to replace it. It is much better to be true to yourself and your vocabulary.

4. Write in stream of consciousness or be extremely casual (Hey! So I was just thinking about you and decided to write a thank you letter because you are awesome. I don't really know what else to say. Bye!).

5. Address more than one person. -> Each letter should be specific to just one individual.

6. Send gifts to professionals. It can be overwhelming, offensive, and sometimes counter productive.

It is one of my New Years' goals to send more Thank You notes and so I am beginning with thanking those that have helped me throughout the year. I am breaking the general rule of sending the note no more than 24 hours after, BUT better late than never?