It seems the art of writing a thank you letter has fallen to the wayside.
Now that graduation season is past us, and the gifts have been delivered and opened, the thank you cards are trickling in. Frankly, the fact that they are trickling in is a win in and of itself. But, there's slightly more to it than finding a piece of stationery and signing your name.
There are a few key elements to include to ensure your thank you card goes from uninspired and generic to thoughtful and personal.
Key Elements to Include In a Thank You Note
Start with a greeting and address the giver by name. A greeting of "Dear...", "Hello...", or even "Hi..." can be a simple way to start. Just make sure you follow it up with the recipient's name, using proper titles when appropriate.
Reference the exact gift that was given to you in your thank you. Remember, the gift giver probably put some thought into the gift, so mentioning the exact item in your letter is important. (Do not say: "Thanks for the gift!) This takes your gratitude from being a generic sentiment to something more personal.
Express how you will be able to use the gift. To add that extra special touch, you'll want to explain how you'll be using the gift. If it was a gift card, you can mention what you're planning to buy (this can be generic if it's to outfit your dorm room, for example). The point here is to give the giver satisfaction that their thoughtful gift will be put to use as they hoped.
Show your appreciation for the thoughtfulness. This can be after the initial greeting, or to round out your letter, but thanking the giver for thinking of you, supporting you, or attending your gathering is a nice touch.
Close it out with a final thanks and your signature. Repeating a thank you, or using "Sincerely...", "With Gratitude...", or a similar sentiment followed by your name is a good way to end your letter. Keep it simple and friendly, but appropriate to your audience.
By including these elements in your thank you letter, you're sure to impress all the gift-givers in your life. Especially grandma.