The Art of the Thank-you Note

Alas, "honest to goodness paper and pen with nice penmanship thank-you notes" are so hard to find these days. With the advent of email, text messaging and everything else electronic, many are finding it hard to stop....and say thank-you like they really mean it. Why should you be concerned with thank-you notes in writing? Here's why.

You send thank-you notes because:

• It's the right thing to do.

• It sets you apart from everyone else, in a good way.

• You make someone's day just a little bit brighter.

• You actually feel good after doing it, and I'm all for feeling good.
  

• You are setting a good example for your children.

• It shows you are well mannered and sets you apart from others who are not.

• It lets the gift giver know you received the gift. Don't keep Aunt Edna wondering if the gift ever arrived. She'll also be disinclined to send you or the kids something next year (and yes, my children write their own thank-you notes and know it is expected of them).

When do you send a thank-you note?

• If someone takes the time to give you a gift, you take the time to thank them in writing

• When someone makes an extra effort on your behalf (this is CRUCIAL in the business world and will get you noticed, again in a good way)
  

• After you've been invited to someone's home for an event or meal

• If someone has afforded you an opportunity you would otherwise not have been given

• After a job interview
  

What does your thank-you note look like?

• Personalized stationery is nice but not necessary. I use those small thank-you notecards that are blank inside. Sometimes we also make our own. If your handwriting is halfway legible, use it rather than printing something out on your computer. Research shows that handwritten envelopes are opened first. In business situations, those are typically forwarded to the actual addressee, rather than some nameless office staff.

What do I write?

• Address them in person "Dear Person's Name"; if it is someone older than you or a business note, use Mr. or Mrs.

• Thank the giver for what was given or done for you.
  

• Add another sentence saying something nice about the gift, event, or thing that was done for you.

So really, I've given you plenty of reasons why this is something you MUST do, and as soon as you approach it like that, you will stop making excuses for yourself. As I said, you'll find it actually makes you feel good too. Writing thank-you notes will also make you more successful in life. Yes, it really will. You will now be seen as a caring, thoughtful individual who, yes, has a busy life, but you acknowledge others who also have busy lives along the way. Who do you think your boss will remember, way down the road? You who sent the note or the other guy who did nothing? How will you be remembered by your family and friends? Not as someone selfish and uncultured, but someone everyone else wants to be like...all because of a simple thank-you note.

How do you write your thank-you notes and when? Please share your ideas? There is always room for improvement and insight!

See this article and many others like it at the Make It From Scratch Carnival #38.