A Guide to Etiquette for Thank You Cards

Thank you cards are sent out to express appreciation for a thoughtful act or gift. Many people have anxiety about sending thank you cards because they are not sure how to word them properly. While etiquette for thank you cards does exist, don’t get too hung up about it. You are better off sending an imperfect thank you card than sending nothing at all.

Tips to Get Started

Send out thank you cards as quickly as possible and always make a specific mention of the gift received. You should send a thank you card within a month of receiving a gift. Of course an exception to this timeline is if you are in the hospital and receive a gift. In that case, you can wait to send out thank you cards until you are well again.

Thank you cards for wedding gifts are generally sent out within three months of the wedding. However, this can be a very daunting task for the bride and groom once they return from their honeymoon so it is recommended that they send them out as they receive each gift. Typically, wedding gifts are sent out before the wedding.

Send thank you cards for the following occasions:

• Bridal and baby shower gifts
• Holiday gifts
• Wedding gifts
• Gifts of congratulations
• After being entertained by boss
• Baby or bridal shower gifts

Occasions that call for sending out thank you cards are not limited to these but these are some of the most important ones. Other occasions when you might want to send out thank you cards include after a job interview, after a friend does a special favor for you, and after being a guest at a dinner party.

One of the most important aspects of creating thank you cards is personalizing them. There is no point in giving someone a generic thank you card. Your thank you cards should specifically mention the gift received and convey a sense of personal appreciation. You can also personalize your thank you cards by ordering ones that include photos of you and your family.

If you don’t like a gift that you receive, don’t lie about it in the thank you card. Simply show your appreciation for the kind gesture and tell the gift giver that you will think of them anytime you use the item.

Don’t send thank you notes via email. It makes you appear as if you are being cheap. If someone takes the time to select and send you a nice gift, you must show your appreciation by sending out a nice thank you card in return. Hand-written cards or customized cards show that you also took the time out to make a card for them to express your gratitude.

There is no need to worry too much about following a specific formula when writing thank you cards. The key to creating a nice thank you card is personalizing it so it becomes meaningful to the recipient. Rather than worrying too much about the details, focus on showing your appreciation for the act or gift. As long as the recipient feels your gratitude, that is what’s most important.