Dos and Don’ts of Thank You Cards

If you host a party of any kind, whether it is a wedding, graduation, or baby shower, you need to say thank you to those who came. Obviously, you can vocally say “thank you,” but sometimes that is not enough, especially if they helped you plan the event, supported you financially, or gave you gifts. There are several ways to say thank you, but sometimes a genuine card can really express your appreciation and gratitude.

You may not be a professional when it comes to stationery etiquette, but there are specific things you should know about writing a thank you card. If you follow these dos and don’ts, you will be able to confidentially give out your thank you cards. Your friends, family, and guests will not only be impressed with your professionalism, but they will be equally touched by your thoughtful gesture.

Thank You Card Dos

• Handwrite your thank you cards whenever possible.

Whether it is a note, card, or letter, you should put a one-of-a-kind thought on the stationery. It shows that you truly care, and that you put an effort into creating a nice express of appreciation. However, keep in mind, your handwriting needs to be legible, so people can read it. If you have awful penmanship, then maybe handwriting your thank you cards is not the best idea. Do not let your poor handwriting keep you from sending a note at all. If you must typeset it, go for it! Sending a computerized font is better than not sending a card at all.

The least thing you can do is sign your name. In fact, you should have all related parties sign their names, too. If it is a wedding thank you, then make sure you and your spouse both sign your names, rather than you signing his for him. This just shows everyone how much you truly care. If it was a birthday party, have your children sign their names. Even a little squiggle is cute and thoughtful!

• Select the proper stationery.

If you are sending a thank you card for a baby shower, you obviously should not pick a card with a bride and groom on it. This may seem like common sense, but in other situations it might not be so black and white.

For example, if you are thanking your boss for a promotion, you do not want to send a pink and purple whimsical card; this may be more suitable for your grandma who baked you your favorite batch of cookies. Do your best at analyzing each scenario in order to happily gift the recipient with a thank you card.

• Personalize the note.

Make sure you address the recipient by name, so it does not look like you just stamped out a bunch of generic letters. Even if you handwrite it and sign it, you should add a special touch so each person knows you wrote that particular cards specifically for them. You can comment on the gift they gave you or the favor they completed.

For example, “Jessica, thank you so much for the baby clothes and diapers.” Or “Thank you, Aunt Sandy, for helping me make the food for the birthday party.” Try to be as specific as possible. It only takes a few extra seconds to name the actual gift rather than just saying “Thanks for the gifts.”

• Plan your thank you cards in advance.

If your party or event has a theme, then you can purchase stationery ahead of time. It will look wonderful to send the same type of invitations and thank you cards; they will complement each other, and your guests will love your creativity.

Make sure you do not fill out your thank you cards ahead of time, though. Some people may not show up that you invite, and you do not want to waste a perfectly good card. Plus, you will not be able to personalize your thank you, since you do not know what gifts you will receive.

On the same note, be sure to fill out all of the details yourself. At baby showers or bridal parties, you may be tempted to have your guests fill out their own addresses on envelopes. Keep it classy and do the work yourself.

• Double check your spelling and grammar.

If you are unsure of how to spell a friend or family member’s name, make sure you go above and beyond to figure it out. Ask your mom for help, check social media accounts, or directly ask them yourself.

When it comes to other spelling and grammar issues, put your wording into a basic word document or use an online program. There is nothing more embarrassing than having spelling and grammar errors.

• Give to those who least expect it.

It may seem like common sense to give your wedding guests a thank you card. However, have you thought to give a card to the mechanic who fixed your car, your child’s teacher, or your favorite waitress? It will make their day! Doing a nice gesture can be contagious, and, pretty soon, your recipient will be a giver, too.

• Keep a stock of stationery and supplies at home.

If you have to go out and buy thank you cards and other supplies, you may put it off. You keep telling yourself you have to get that, but never actually do it. If you are sincere about sending out thank you cards, try to always have materials at home. You never know when you will want to say thank you to someone.

Thank You Card Don’ts

• Don’t say anything negative.

Avoid being sour about what gifts you got. Perhaps you did not particularly like one, or you already had it. Do not make your recipient ever feel bad or sorry. Try to focus on the wording; instead of saying “I already had that book you gave me, but thanks anyway.” You can write “You know how much I love to read. Your gift was so thoughtful.” You always want to stay positive in your wording.

• Don’t worry about making it perfect.

Writing a thank you note should not be a stressful situation. You do not want to over- think your wording. If you are having trouble, you can research a few generic templates online for advice. Do not try too hard to sound sincere. Just be yourself and express your appreciation.

• Don’t delay mailing your thank you cards.

If you put off writing your thank you cards, you may start to regret your decision. You will feel the need to say “thank you and sorry” to your guests. However, even if you are on the ball and write the cards out immediately, you may procrastinate taking them to the post office. Try not to fall into this common situation. Even if it takes you a few days or weeks, it is always better late than never!