How to Write a Thank You Letter

How To Write a Thank You Letter on Howcast

Video Script:

Yeah, it might be a little old-fashioned—but it’s also the ultimate in class.

You Will Need

A nice pen
High-quality paper
Optional: A store-bought thank you card

Step 1: Decide length & paper size
Figure out how long your thank you letter is going to be, and choose a paper size accordingly. You don’t want to have to write REALLY BIG to take up the space.

A thank you letter should be on high-quality paper or note card stock.


Step 2: Decide handwritten or typed
Decide if your thank you letter will be handwritten or printed. A personal thank you letter should be handwritten, while one written for business purposes may be typed.

If you’re addressing a formal note to a female, make sure you use her preferred title—Miss, Mrs., or Ms.


Step 3: Start by thanking person
Start by thanking the person—and then provide a specific example of why their gift or gesture is so appreciated. For example, “Thank you so much for the toothbrush, which I will certainly put to good use twice a day!”

If the gift was expensive, acknowledge it politely and let them know you’re grateful.


Step 4: Refer to past & future
Refer to the past and the future. For example, you might say to a family friend, “You’re so kind to always remember my birthday,” and “I’m looking forward to seeing you over the holidays.”


Step 5: Close wtih personalized thanks
Close with a final personalized thanks, such as, “Thanks again for such a cool gift; I know you went to a lot of trouble to get it.”


Step 6: Proofread note
Proofread the note, or your next gift might just be a dictionary.

According to a survey, 58% of moms say their children write thank you notes.