When To Send A Thank You Note

See this list of reasons When You Should Send A Thank You Note. Are Thank You Notes still relevant? Good manners and proper etiquette is always relevant. 

When Gifts Are Involved

Generally you will Thank folks for the gift if you open it in their presence in which case sending a note isn’t really necessary. However if the gift was expensive, well thought out or for a special occasion, do follow with a Thank You note in the mail.

Birthday

Anniversary

Graduation

Wedding Gifts (You have 6-8 weeks to send out your Thank you notes after your wedding day) 

Baby Shower

Wedding Shower

Christmas Gifts not given in person. 

Please send your sweet Aunt Maggie and even your grand parents thousands of miles away a hand written thank you note within a few days of receiving the gift they sent.

Gifts received through mail or shipment.

Acknowledge asap with email or text. They will be anxious to know if the package arrived safely.  Follow up by sending a Thank you note.

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While the current age we live in may prompt you to send a Thank You GIF, resist the urge UNLESS you received the gift via mail or delivery to your door. In that case, let them know immediately that you did receive the gift but you still need to send a Thank you note in the mail. 

Good Deeds and Acts of Kindness

After a dinner party, BBQ, Cookout or otherwise sharing a meal in someone else’s home. If you were invited and attended, send a Thank you note to your hostess.

Good Deed or Act of Kindness

If  your neighbor mowed your grass or brought you supper while you were sick. Maybe someone has been helping you to craft the perfect resume or jumped your car battery off six times before you could buy a new battery. 

Funeral Flowers, Food or Kind Deed during the occasion.

Most funeral homes will include Thank You note cards with the arrangements. Those are typically generic, be sure to add a personal note or be sure to sign your name. 

Kind Deed or Visit during an illness such as a hospital stay when you received flowers, balloons or other thoughtful gifts

Teachers

Near the end of the school year. 

Coach

At the end of the sports season. It is always good to Thank a coach as the season comes to an end. Most recreational sports league coaches are Volunteers and deserve recognition.

Pastor

Pastor’s Appreciation is typically held each year in October. Even though  your church or congregation may do a collective showing of appreciation, it is always good to send a card of thanks in the mail to the Pastor and his family.

Family Occasions

House Guest

So you planned your vacation strategically around staying with relatives to save you from hotel expense. Of course you were invited. It was probably an open ended invitation that sound something like this “Y’all come visit when you’re in our area.” Maybe they really did mean it. You still need to send them a nice hand written Thank you note saying how much you enjoyed your stay. 

Favors

Oh the favors we impose upon our relatives. Your cousin picked your child up from school, all umpteen times you asked. Seriously, send a Thank you note! Kind words go a long way.

Financial Loans

Send a Thank you note.  It’s the right thing to do. Loans are a big deal for both parties. 

Care during illness

Your sister loves you so much that she packed a bag and came to care for you while you recuperated from surgery. She indeed did not mind but you still need to send her a Thank you note when she is back at home.

Professional Occasions To Send Thank You Notes

Job Interview. Send a brief, Thank you Note to each and every person who interviewed you. A hand written note is always good however with a job interview it is acceptable to send an e-mail.

Awards. Send the note to the committee chair.

Scholarships. Send the note to the committee.

Internship. Send the note to your supervisor of the Internship.

Recommendation Letter. Send the note to the person who submitted a recommendation letter for you.

How To Keep Track of Who Gave You That Gift at Birthdays and Showers

Have a friend sit next to you at the occasion as you are opening the gifts. Your friend should have pen and paper so they can write down the name of the giver and exactly what the gift is. 

No card with the gift? Here’s what to do.

Keep a stack of Index cards or Post It notes handy just in case there is no card attached to the gift. The card may have become separated from the actual gift. If the giver is present for the opening, they will let you know it’s from them, hopefully. 

If no one is present when you open the gift you will need to do a little detective work. Use a process of elimination to create a short list of those you believe sent you a gift. Always keep cards with their respective gifts. 

People do not typically take an empty card to a gift giving occasion. If you have a card, chances are excellent there was a gift from those folks. Just go ahead and send a Thank you note. In this circumstance, you won’t be able to mention the actual gift.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou