The Art of Thank You Notes

I am a complete and total spaz when it comes to thank you cards. Jason often makes fun of me for sending a thank you card for EVERYTHING, but in my opinion if someone spends their hard earned money and precious free time getting you a gift the very least you could do is spend 2 minutes hand writing a card and throwing a $0.46 stamp on there - or whatever the heck a stamp costs these days. Gifts are never, ever, ever, ever, EVER required or expected. I don't care if it's a birthday, a wedding or Christmas for crying out loud, no one is EVER expected to get you a gift. If they are kind enough to do so, they need to be properly thanked and a verbal or text message "thank you" doesn't count! If you are opening a gift in front of the giver by all means give a verbal thank you {and a hug!}. If you receive a gift in the mail absolutely make a phone call or send a text RIGHT AWAY so the giver knows you received it. But, either way you still absolutely need to send a written thank you. It's just the nice thing to do - again, these people spent time and money on YOU. 

I've got some basic tips that really help me and will hopefully help you amp up your thank you note etiquette:

*Write down gifts! Whether you write it down yourself or have a friend do it, write down everything you open so that you don't forget someone or forget who gives you what! 

*Set up shop and crank them all out at once. Yes, it can be daunting but I've found if I just sit down, put on some Beyonce, and power through, I can get them all done in one sitting. It's also helpful if you write them as you put away the gifts.

*Send them right away! I have a rule for myself that I can't cash a check or "play" with a new toy until I've written the thank you note. Traditional etiquette says thank you notes should be sent within the week {two tops!}. Wedding thank you's should be sent within 3 months. I was so worried about getting my wedding thank you notes done, I wrote them on the plane to our honeymoon! It was a great way to kill time and I got several compliments on how quickly they went out! People really do appreciate it!

I like to use the same 6 steps for all of my thank you cards to ensure proper etiquette as well as expedite the writing process. 

1. Address...the note to the gift giver{s}

2. Express...gratitude for the gift you received

3. Discuss...how you plan to use the gift

4. Personalize...the note so it doesn't sound like you're saying the same thing to everyone

5. Reiterate...your gratitude

6. Regards...from you

For example: 

ADDRESS: Dear Aunt Lisa and Uncle John, 

EXPRESS: Thank you so much for the beautiful Jimmy Choo shoes.

DISCUSS: I can't wait to wear them on my trip to California, they'll be perfect with this little black dress that I have. 

PERSONALIZE: It was so nice of you to stop by my birthday party, I'm really glad you were able to make it. Have a safe trip back to Florida.

REITERATE: Thank you again, so much, for the generous gift!

REGARDS: Love your favorite niece, Kristin

See, isn't that easy? I might be crazy but I actually love to write thank you notes and maybe just maybe if you follow these simple steps you will to! Now go get to thanking....

And, yes, this is Kenley's birthday thank you card - I'm not sure it gets any cuter.

photo by Sara Jayne Photography