The Art of a Charming Southern Thank You {Repost}

Happy Tuesday Friends!
It’s officially December & that means Christmas is right around the corner!
With that in mind, I thought that it was the perfect time to brush up on our thank you note writing skills.
So, today I’m sharing a post I originally shared on my dear friend Rachel’s blog, Oh Simple Thoughts. I hope you enjoy!

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If there’s one thing we southerners learn from an early age, it’s etiquette. From proper table manners to respect & everything in between. After all, we are most known for our Southern Hospitality & it’s because of our deep tradition of holding to the golden rule – treat others the way you want to be treated!

One of the earliest lessons I remember learning about etiquette was the art of the hand written thank you note. As a kid I was obsessed with all things paper (some things never change) & as a result, thank you notes became my favorite thing.

Today I am sharing some of my most charming tips on the art of writing a charming southern thank you note.

Handwritten

In this day in age everyone is all about convenience. A quick phone call, text message, or email always seems to be the first option to express our gratitude. But I am here to tell you that while it may be quick & easy, it’s not the most genuine or sincere option. After all, someone was polite enough to give you a gift or invite you to an event – it’s only natural you that you put some time into showing your appreciation. Handwriting a note gives the impression you truly appreciate their generosity. Putting in that extra effort can really go along way!

Personalization

I have received several Thank You Notes and I can always tell those who truly appreciated their gift and those who just had a generic note they wrote to everyone. Don’t get me wrong, I totally get that if it was a shower or wedding gift they have lots (and lots) of those notes to write. But it never hurts to add an extra line about how you will use the gift or that you’re looking forward to seeing them again.

A side note to this personalization point is that you should never disclose money (or gift card) amounts in thank you notes. Most likely these will be the most difficult notes to write but a simple line such as “We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness. We plan to use the money for…” or “it will go to great use in our upcoming marriage/move/etc.” will suffice.

Personality

This is one attribute of a thank you note that I am passionate about! Let your personality show through your writing & your note. Don’t be stiff or uncomfortable. You’re writing to someone you know, so be polite, sincere, & thankful. Add an inside joke or something special between the two of you. But, don’t ramble. You’re writing to express gratitude, not give a life update. There’s a time and a place for everything!

Timeliness

As with most things in life, the sooner the better. Following an event or soon after you have received a gift it’s proper to send your note immediately. However, it’s better late than never. It never hurts to say thank you…no matter when it is! There is also a 3 month grace period for all you brides out there!

Stationary

A traditional letter pressed monogrammed stationary is always my ideal vision of the perfect thank you note…but it certainly doesn’t have to be. I have sent various kinds of stationary ranging from that tractional look to simple thanks cards you can find at any store. My point is that just as the person you’re writing to put time & effort into your gift, put effort into what you send them. A piece of notebook paper or plain white printer paper may work, but it doesn’t really give the impression of much forethought.

Visit The Stationary Studio or Southern Stationary for some great stationary finds!