Embrace the art of writing thank-you notes!
These days, we often choose the most convenient way to accomplish a task. When it comes to thanking someone, it’s easy to tap out a quick email or text message to acknowledge your appreciation. However, according to Brent Ellis Fraim, founder of creative paper studio Dear Elouise and print shop Buckhead Printery, there’s something to be said for putting pen to paper and writing a proper thank-you note.
“When you get an important piece in the mail—a birth announcement, a wedding invitation, a thank-you note—you feel the importance of it,” she says. “You can write a thank you in an email, but I think the gratitude comes through so much more when you make it a tangible piece.”
Here, Fraim shares a few tips for mastering the art of writing thank-you notes.
When should I consider writing a traditional thank-you note?
Of course there are things you automatically write a thank-you note for, like a wedding or a baby gift. Right now, we are entering the season of hosting and gifts. But you really can write a thank-you note for anything. It could be for an event that was hosted in your honor or to thank someone for letting you stay at their home while you were in town. You can write a thank-you note to anyone who has gone out of their way to do something nice for you.
What should the note say?
Thank the person for whatever they gave you or did for you and then share something a bit personal. Maybe you can explain how you’ll use the gift you received, or you can share your favorite moment from the event you attended. Just be sure to bring in your personality and thank them again at the end. It can be quick—four or five sentences. How soon should I write a thank-you note? I always recommend that you write a thank-you note as soon as you can. For instance, I often tell my brides to write it as soon as a gift arrives so they don’t get backed up with the correspondence. If you put it on your to-do list for later, you may not get to it. However, it’s always better to do it late than never.
What kind of stationery should I use?
When writing a thank-you note, it’s important to use stationery that feels authentic to you. Don’t just go and find a box of thank-you cards in your mom’s cabinet. You should have some of your own. And today’s thank-you notes don’t have to just be black ink on plain paper. You can choose a color or artwork that feels like you.
How can I make sure that my thank-you note is both beautiful and well written?
Type out your note first before you write it down. If you’re using your personal stationery, you don’t want to scratch things out as you’re writing. So type it out and make sure you’ve said what you want to say. You also can check to see if everything is spelled correctly. It’s a great way to prep. You get the modern convenience of the computer, but you can still put the words down on paper.
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