Thank You Letters

Finding the Lost Art

When you add up the cost of the wedding you just drove to, got a hotel for, shopped for hours and hours for the perfect dress and the perfect gifts, wrapped them so lovingly, and it certainly cost you more than a week’s wage for most of us, maybe a month’s wage, receiving an acknowledgment in the form of a Thank You Letter for your presence at the event and the wonderful gifts you so thoughtfully and lovingly bestowed upon them… is part of the package.

Some people nowadays, have forgotten the art and the manners to write a simple thank you note.

Your aunt does NOT know if the fan you ordered from that online registry ever arrived. Your grandmother does NOT know if the gold chain she just handed down to you ever arrived unless you tell her. Your grandfather does NOT know your actual charming feelings about the heirloom he gave you for graduation college. You got excited and hugged him, but a written note goes farther than that, deeper, with more expressions of gratitude.

YOU get to hold onto the gift. They get a letter telling them how wonderful they are, and they will keep it in their letter box.

And to not thank them, you will probably see a sharp decline in the number of gifts they send your way.

When the baby arrives? Your anniversaries? Your birthdays? They will think it won’t even be noticed if they don’t send something since sending something wasn’t noticed.

I’m sorry. I learned how important Thank You notes are. One employer hired me simply because I was the only one to thank him for his time for interviewing me for the job I wanted! It worked both ways.

They are simple to write.

You can start it with, “I’m at a loss for words,” or “I cannot find the words to express the joy I feel about this charm bracelet you gave me. It will be a source of joy for me forever.”

or

“I assure you I will use this check for a good purpose. It was so thoughtful of you to give me a leg up with this.

What do you send a thank you note for?

Time an interviewer gave you for an interview.

Any kind of present for any event during the year, or holiday. Graduation. Birthday. Wedding. Engagement.

Even if you give a big hug and a thank you in person, send a handwritten note. Their hearts will grow and be overjoyed.

There are a ton of etiquette websites out there and tons of books in the library and bookstores. Avail yourself.

Thank you for reading my message to kind and polite readers everywhere.