What to Write in a Thank You Card

Tips and suggestions on how to write and ideas for what to write in a thank-you card. Plus a free printable with suggested messages to include in Thank-You notes

So, I am a bit of a stickler for Thank-You cards…just ask my children. I know that not everyone shares my…well…some would say fanaticism and that’s O.K. But in my book, if someone sends you a gift, the least you can do is take a minute to let them know that you received it and appreciate it.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” —Mother Teresa

And in today’s’ digital world, I have come to accept that in some instances, a ‘thank-you text’ is equally acceptable. My heart filled with pride when my SIL told me that my college-aged son is always the first to send her a ‘thank-you text’ when she sends gifts to all of her nieces and nephews. See, all those years of beatings have paid off! ?

And, while a texted thanks is better than no thanks at all, I still opt for an old-fashioned, snail mail kind of thank-you card.

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How to Write a Thank You Card

• Keep a stash of Thank-You notes and stamps on hand to make the process easier. My children regularly receive a packet notes in their Christmas stockings to make the process simple. And maybe it’s just me, but I enjoy writing thank you notes if I really like the card! Take some time to find thank-you notes that you really like.
• Thank-you notes should be handwritten. I can’t tell you how many battles I had with my son about this. He struggled with legible handwriting, but I maintained that the chicken scratch of a 10-year old trumps a typewritten note 100 out of 100 times.
• In general, it is best to send your thank-you note within a week of receiving the gift. Exceptions to that rule would be gifts received during hospitalization and after new baby (acceptable to send notes within 1-2 months when the recipient is able to write the note) and wedding and graduation gifts (generally accepted to have them sent within 1-3 months of receiving the gift).
• Make sure to mention the gift and how it will be enjoyed. When money is received, give an idea for what you will use the money.
• Unless it is a thank-you note for an interview or a professional situation, don’t worry about being formal. Just write as you would talk! Let your voice shine through.
• Some adjectives to describe gifts: thoughtful, fabulous, perfect, generous, awesome, touching, beautiful, unique, appreciated, and much-needed.
• If you have been able to thank your gifter in person, you most likely do not need to send a card.
• In some instances, a little token of thanks is appropriate, like these Thanks a Latte spoons by themselves or with a coffee mug or coffee shop gift card.

Thank-You Card Messages

Here are some ideas to get your ‘thank-you note’ juices flowing. You can get the 2-sided printable with these messages (page one shown above) sent right to your inbox by clicking the button below this list.

When possible, be specific as to the gift for which you are thanking.

• “I am humbled and grateful.”
• “My heart is still smiling.”
• “Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will always treasure.”
• “I’m touched beyond words.”
• “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
• “Words are not enough to express my thanks.”
• “All my love and thanks to you.”
• “A thousand and one thanks.”
• “I will think of you every time I use (look at) X.”
• “You seem to know exactly what I love!”
• “Thanks a ton. You made my birthday a special day. Thanks for your thoughtful gift.”
• “You always go above and beyond. Thank you for always being there for me.”
• “A big hug and lots of thanks to you, my friend.”
• “Thank you for thinking of me as often as you do.”
• “Bless your big and generous heart!”
• “You make the world a nicer place.”
• “You went above and beyond and I am touched and grateful.”
• “You can’t see me, but I have a huge smile on my face right now!”
• “You made me feel so special when I opened your gift. I knew that you spent time, effort, and energy to make sure it was awesome, and it was just that. Thank you.”
• Thank you so much for sending me such a lovely and meaningful gift on this special day. Your gift made today even more special.”
• “The gift you sent for my birthday is perfect! I can tell you spent a lot of time picking it out, and it makes me smile to think about how thoughtful you are.”

I hope these tips on how to write a thank you card are helpful to you! To refer back to this post and the Thank-You note tips, bookmark this page or pin the following image.

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!