Still reeling from the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Well, they're offically over, which means...
a) it's time to join a gym.
b) you don't have to see crazy Uncle Sal again for a whole year.
c) you've got a few thank you notes to write. You know, for the mountain of gifts you received.
{In this case, the answer is probably C, but that doesn't mean that A or B aren't appropriate as well.}
A New Year is a great time to get into new habits, especially when that involves thanking our friends and loved ones for all they do (and give us).
Below are a few helpful tips for kickstarting 2012 in the handwritten note department (and hopefully, you were nice enough this holiday to receive one or two yourself)!
When? When?
If you're wondering if you should send a thank you note, chances are that you probably should. Gifts for occasions (birthdays, Christmas, engagement, wedding, birth of a child) are a given. Certainly, if someone has given you a gift, they deserve a handwritten note of thanks. What about other times? It's a pretty good rule of thumb that if someone has gone out of their way to do something nice for you, they also deserve a "thank you" too.
Being prepared is half the battle.
There are a few truths at play here:
1. Life is hectic.
2. You WILL need to say "thank you" at some point.
3. If you're prepared BEFORE the occasion arises when you need to express your gratitude, it's simply more likely that you will actually do it! Having stationery or folded notes on hand is a MUST if your goal in the New Year is to be more diligent about your "thank you"s.
So stock up! Go to your favorite stationery store (hint hint) and pick out something that looks like... you. It is after all, your way of saying thanks - it should reflect your personality! Don't worry, it's not as complicated as you might think. It really is just as easy as going to the store to pick out a shirt. You have a favorite color? Great. Formal or informal? Perfect. For everyday use or a special occasion? Got it. Like a good department store associate, any great stationer can help you narrow down your options and find the perfect fit for you. In most cases, they can personalize it for you too! See? Easy.
Be prompt. Everyone likes instant gratification!
The longer you wait to express your graditude, the more deflated the recipient will feel about their efforts. You have no idea how much time and effort went into that super nice thing they did for you/gave you! Wouldn't you want to be acknowledged before even you forget that you did something nice? According to Emily Post, you normally have about 7 days (and if you're getting married, up to 3 months) to send a thank you note and still be smiled upon by the etiquette gods... but late is better than never!
Say it like you mean it.
No one wants a half-hearted "Thanks for that thing". Clearly you don't even remember what it was. Try digging a little deeper so you can thank them with words that truly express your feeling of gratitude. Try to be specific, yet genuine. Instead of "Thanks for the blender", instead say something like, "I can't thank you enough for the new blender. It's made my morning smoothies so much better, I actually look forward to getting up in the morning!" You do want your words to be heartfelt and genuine - always - so if you're not a morning person, leave out that last part. Just remember a generic "thank you" can be a slap in the face if someone has spent time and effort to get you a gift or perform a real gesture of kindess. There's nothing more appreciated than a sincere note.
Seems simple enough, right? Good. Now get out there and get writing! {And if you need us to help you prepare, we've got stationery options for every kind of personality!}
