When to Send a Thank You Note

The importance of thank you notes

Ginger Jar Stationary c/o / Gold Pens / Pencil Cup

 As a kid, my mom taught me to write thank you notes when I received gifts. After my birthday and Christmas, I remember the feeling of my wrist cramping up from the process. Today, I still try to write thank you notes for every gift I receive, but I’ve also learned that saying a formal thank you for other occasions is a gesture that can go a long way.

A reader recently sent me these cute ginger jar note cards that she designed so I’ve been using them as thank you notes and think they’re just so cute. Dying for the matching acrylic tray too!

Here are a some examples of when I write thank you notes. I suggest you try it as well. It makes people so happy to receive them and seeing my friends happy makes me happy. And I’m pretty sure no one has ever been upset to receive a pretty piece of mail thanking them for something they did.

Dinner Parties
Throwing a dinner party is a lot of work. You have to not only shop and cook for a group of people, but make sure your house is clean, set a nice table, and then clean up at the end of the night which is usually the worst part! Having done it myself, I know it is pretty much a full day process. I always send thank you notes to the hosts of a dinner party and I often get a text later saying how much the note meant to them.

In the note: Comment on a dish that you loved in particular.

House Guests
Now that we live in the ‘burbs and have a guest suite (aka a bedroom and bathroom but suite sounds fancier!), we get a lot of overnight guests. I love waking up to a full house but it does take effort and I always appreciate when someone makes that effort for me.

In the note: Mention something that you liked about their home or why you felt comfortable there.

A Thoughtful Gesture
People do nice things all the time… especially in the suburbs. My neighbors often hide my packages in my backyard when I travel or walk the dog if I’m out all day. Although it’s not hard work, it took them time to do it. For this type of situation, I’ll send a thank you note the first time they do the task and then say it over text or in person going forward.

In the note: Write how you’re happy to return the favor whenever they need it.

Being a Good Friend
Have you ever had a friend who listened to you vent about a problem for hours on end? Maybe she brought you chicken soup when you were sick or spent her Friday night at home mending your broken heart. Or perhaps she didn’t do anything in particular but she’s just a great friend who is always there for you. Why not tell that person how you feel and thank her for being in your life?

In the note: Tell her how much you genuinely love her.

Thank you Notes

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Comments

  1. Jenn Lake said:

    Such pretty cards! Happy Tuesday, lady!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  2. Alicia said:

    Those pens are a-maz-ing.

    8.23.16 · Reply
  3. Ashley F said:

    I love writing thank you notes! It’s such a nice gesture, plus they are always fun to receive!

    Ashley // MyWellDressedLife.com

    8.23.16 · Reply
  4. Katie said:

    Which size note cards are pictured? 5×7?

    8.23.16 · Reply
    • Julia Dzafic said:

      Yes, they’re 5×7!

      8.23.16 · Reply
  5. Elizabeth H said:

    Obsessed with that stationery!! I need to order some!!!!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  6. Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy said:

    Notes like this are so often forgotten and yet it is one of the smallest, sweetest gestures you can do! My first job was at a stationery store where I learned the value of thank you notes and I’m so glad I did. I keep a drawer at home stocked with cards at the ready for the above instances!!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  7. Amanda said:

    Great post! The value of a hand written thank you note is SO important! I just sent two out this morning 🙂

    And, those ginger jar note cards are great!! I need some! Do they come with the navy envelopes?? <3

    8.23.16 · Reply
  8. Dana Mannarino said:

    So cute, love how thoughtful you are!

    Pink Champagne Problems

    8.23.16 · Reply
  9. Shawn O'Neill said:

    I’m all about the thank you notes! But really notes for any occasion. I love that stationary since you could use it for anything — thank you’s, just saying hello’s, and even congratulations… Perfect!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  10. Greta said:

    Is that a sequins and lipstick design!?! I ordered an acrylic tray from her and she designed the prettiest insert for me using blue and white ginger jars! Her products and deisgns are so pretty! I would LOVE some ginger jar note cards, too! Thanks for sharing! I enjoy reading all of your posts! 🙂 -greta

    8.23.16 · Reply
  11. Simply Semisweet said:

    Love this post! SO HELPFUL!

    Kalina | Simply Semisweet

    8.23.16 · Reply
  12. Tracy Schwartz said:

    This was such a wonderful post and great reminder! Thank you for the great ideas!

    So glad to hear Boots was doing well today after his procedure!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  13. Jamie said:

    I am so excited! Im using Sequins and Lipstick for all of my wedding paper needs from thank you cards, invites, save the dates, personalized card stock, gifts. She has awesome designs and products!!

    8.23.16 · Reply
  14. Julie said:

    Hi Julia, this is a nice post. As a child I was known as the ‘writer’ always writing cards and letters to the people I loved. Nowadays it’s been replaced by emails but getting a handwritten note feels even more special now. I don’t do it quite as often as I would like to (I’m a busy mum of 3 little ones) but reading your post will encourage me to try to do it a bit more often. Adorable stationary by the way! Julie xx

    http://www.jafinthebox.wordpress.com

    8.24.16 · Reply
  15. Katie said:

    I absolute love this, Julia! I too wrote a ton of thank you notes as a child but it’s always a good gesture to send them for occasions other than gift giving!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

    8.27.16 · Reply
  16. Alex Hancock said:

    Don’t forget job interviews! Especially if it’s for a job you’re dying to get hired for; a handwritten note (or at the very least, an email) can go a super long way in the eyes of your potential employer. (Speaking from experience!)

    9.12.16 · Reply
  17. ElwoodAngstadt said:

    Thank you for sharing. A fresh way to say “thank you” with AmoLink interactive thank you cards, a mashup of photos, videos, music, animations, even your voice record, which will enhance your sincerity while you deliver your thank you cards for any occasions, any people. https://www.amolink.com/greeting-cards/thank-you-cards.html

    11.11.16 · Reply