It seems to be a lost art to send or give a Thank you note. When was the last time you received one? However, after all the gifts this time of year we can give back to others by thanking them for their gift, time, company, and/or help. A thank you can be a gift that “keeps on giving.”
When people receive a thank you note they tend to smile and think about the person who sent the note or other form of thank you. It helps the person know you appreciated their thoughtfulness and it makes you feel better, too. You know that you made someone else feel good for at least a few minutes. In the future the person is more likely to think kindly of you just because of that one simple act of showing thanks.
We all need to make sure we thank the person right away if they are present when we open the gift or when they do an act of kindness. When that is not possible we can phone, text, email, write a note, or send a video. Videotaping the opening of presents to send a video or YouTube message, can be especially appreciated by grandparents who sent gifts to grandchildren who live some distance away.
Besides a handwritten note or YouTube message you might have the children make homemade thank you cards or bake a special treat to give as a thank you. With YouTube messages you could be very creative or let the children come up with an idea of a way to say, sing, dance, or act out a thank you.
Tips for what to include in the thank you:
- Explain why you liked the gift and be specific. The scarf is a perfect match for my winter coat.
- If it was an act of kindness explain why it helped or why you appreciated it. I really appreciate how you helped clean up after the party. It helped me get to bed earlier that evening.
- Tell how you will use the gift, especially if you received a gift card or money. I plan to save the money for a vacation trip.
- If the person is special to you include a personal message, such as I’m so glad you are my grandmother. You are the greatest!
In business or work situations thank you notes are also appreciated. A handwritten note is appropriate. However, Horsager in his book “The Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line” gives some other suggestions. These include:
- Sending a gift basket of chocolate, coffee or other goodies.
- Providing peer or public acknowledgement
- Calling the person on the phone or emailing them.
- Sponsoring some improvement or additional training
- Celebrating accomplishments
Thank you notes may seem old-fashioned, but they are always appreciated and reflect good thoughts to back to the sender. It’s like getting a warm fuzzy.
Author: Pat Brinkman, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension
Reviewed by: Jennifer Even, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension
References:
Horsager, D. [2010]. The trust edge: how top leaders gain faster results, deeper relationships, and a stronger bottom line, Minneapolis: Summerside Press
Taylor, J. [2005]. The lost art of thank you notes, University of Illinois Extension Newsletter, University of Illinois
