When Should You Send a Thank You Card or Letter?

When it is appropriate to send a thank you card or letter? It's an age old question. How exactly do you know when you should thank someone formally?

There are several occasions that call for a thank you card or letter. Thank you cards are available at most drug stores, in the greeting card isle. You can buy them separately, or buy a full box of twenty or so for about five dollars. Thank you cards can also be made using your computer. A thank you letter is a letter from you to the receiver that thanks them for their time, attendance, or for a gift. Thank you letters can be written on plain paper, or on fancy decorative papers such as stationary.

An appropriate time to send a thank you card or letter is after you've been ill. If you have had a recent illness or hospitalization it is appropriate to send a than you card or letter to any and everyone who took the time to come and see you, or who sent you flowers. It is also appropriate for you to send a thank you card or letter to any one who offered their help in your recovery, whether it was by helping with errands, the kids, or what have you.

It is also appropriate to send a thank you card or letter after throwing a bridal or baby shower. It is a good idea to send a thank you to all of the people who attended, whether they brought gifts or not. When a guest did bring a gift it is appropriate to thank them for their attendance, and for the specific gift. Let them know it was much appreciated.

It is appropriate to send out thank you cards and letters after throwing your child a birthday party. Send a special thank you card or letter to each guest thanking them for taking the time to attend. People have to make plans to attend parties and showers so it is just the nice thing to do to thank them for their attendance. It doesn't matter if a gift was brought or not, a thank you should still be sent. If a gift was given it is proper to thank the person for the gift in addition to their attendance.

It is also appropriate to send a thank you card or letter after the major holidays to anyone who attended your dinner, visited, or gave gifts. A short and simple thank you greeting is sufficient. All you need to do is send a card or letter that lets the person know how much it meant to you that attended, visited, or thought of you and your family during the holidays.

When you have a new baby it is also an appropriate time to send a thank you card or letter to anyone who came to see you in the hospital, or during the first few days at home. It is also appropriate to send out a thank you to anyone who dropped off or sent gifts after the birth of your new baby.

When ever anyone goes out of their way to help you, or to make you feel good it is also a nice thing to send a thank you card or letter. Thank you greetings need not be fancy. Simple homemade cards or letters on plain paper will do. What matters is the fact that you show gratitude and appreciation when people attend your celebrations, give gifts, or otherwise do things that are nice for you and your family. Thanks for reading and take care!