I am a big believer in the traditional hand-written thank you note. I am pretty behind this year, but did finally write my notes today. I was struggling a little bit with what to write so I kept putting it off. To get over the hump and get it done, I did two things. 1. I consulted google. 2. I typed them up on the computer first.
I did a generic search on google for "how to write a thank you note". I was pleasantly surprised to find that what my mom and dad taught me on this subject when I was younger seems to hold up in terms of thank-you note etiquette. In case you are curious, here is a link to one of the articles I found that I liked best: How to Write a Thank-You Note.
I think typing them up in Word first really helped with the mental block. There is just somthing about writing something in ink with pen and paper that instills a little fear in me. I think that's part of the perfectionist inside of me. I feel like I have one and only one shot to get it right so I need to know exactly what I'm going to say and how much space it will take up, etc before I write the real deal. Anyway, here is a sampling what I wrote:
Dear Uncle Dan,
Thank you very much for your generous Christmas gift. It is much appreciated. It will most likely go towards a nice winter outfit that I can wear to work. My wardrobe is currently too heavily skewed towards the spring/summer side!
I hope that you have an enjoyable visit and birthday down in Florida next week.
Thanks again for your gift.
Love,
Erin-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Joan and Tom,
Thank you very much for your generous Christmas gift. It is much appreciated. I have recently gotten into running and using an elliptical machine so the Dick's gift card will be put to good use purchasing a new exercise outfit or perhaps a new pair of sneakers.
I hope that you both, and both of the girls, are all doing well. Many congratulations to Cathryn on her engagement!
Thanks again for your gift.
Love,
Erin
Do you still write traditional thank-you notes? If so, what types of rules/guidelines do you use when writing them?
Oh, how funny! I do the same thing you do! I think first, type out on a computer, stare at it, then figure out how I can transcribe it all onto the card in perfect handwriting and so the spacing is *just* right!
I love writing thank you notes by hand. And I can guarantee that anyone who gets one from us is just tickled pink. Nobody seems to do it anymore. Too easy to shoot off an email.
Good on us!
Your notes are wonderful, BTW.
I type them out in Word first, too because otherwise I find myself making a mistake or wishing I added something - and then not wanting to waste another card writing it out again.
I am also a firm believer in the old-fashioned pen and paper thank you notes, or cards of any sort, for that matter! I hope they never go completely extinct, and I for one will keep on sending them! ;)
I hadn't thought of writing them in Word first, but I'm sure that'll help tremendously when with the mental blocks, which I definitely tend to get, and probably for the same reason...I tend to be a perfectionist!
What a great idea to type it out first. I totally agree about the mental block when trying to hand write. I admit, I don't do these as much as I should. Only for really specific things like showers, or parties that were planned out or something. I should do it more, it is a nice touch.
I do hand write ALL my thank you notes for any gift - any occasion. I think it's a simple way of showing gratitude and better yet - who doesn't love getting fun mail? As for technique, I usually wing it. I'm a winger.
Kathy: Haha, that is funny. Glad I am not alone! Thank you for the compliment. :)
Candice: Yes, exactly. I definitely don't want to waste any of my cards either!
Tabitha: Another perfectionist :) I guess now you have a little trick (that will hopefully help) next time you get thank-you note writers block!
Debbie: I agree that it is a nice touch. I know I certainly love to receive a personal note (of any kind) in the mail. I certainly don't get upset if I don't receive a thank-you note for something but I always try to be good about writing them myself.
christina: "I'm a winger" - haha. Good for you for being so diligent about writing them.