With the World Series decided and the remaining
trick-or-treat candy being consumed; the thought that now pops
into many American's minds is the celebration of Thanksgiving.
Each November Americans commemorate the bounty of our nation
and our lives, by spending a day of appreciation, called
Thanksgiving.
For those of you who are interested, here's a link to
"The Thanksgiving Story," a fun and brief history of
our oldest American tradition, at http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm
Along with enjoying football games and a holiday feast,
this November I suggest you take time to send at least
eight (.remember it's a good luck number) quick and
simple thank-you notes. Show your appreciation and
thankfulness to someone you know for whatever "gift" they've
given you.
A gift can be many things: a physical item, a good job
someone has done for you at work or at home, and an invitation
to a party or meal. Use this month to catch up on all those
thank-you notes you've been meaning to send. In business it's
the perfect time---before the end-of-the-year rush---to send
clients, customers, vendors, and suppliers your note of
appreciation for their business and service.
A personal, handwritten thank-you note is the finest
form of expressing gratitude. It takes the most effort and
time and is the most tangible evidence of our genuine
appreciation of the person to whom it is addressed.
Here is a simple guide for thank-you notes for both
business and personal use:
-
Ideally, send thank-you notes within 24 to 48
hours of receiving the gift. The sooner you send
it, the greater the impact it will have. However, it is
never too late to send a note. Use this month of "thanks" to
catch up on your "thank-yous," no matter how much
time has gone by.
-
To save time and stress, keep a supply of
note cards and stationery, plus postage stamps to
have ready at all times.
-
Write all your notes by hand. Take
your time, regardless of how impaired you think your
handwriting looks.
- Pay attention to how the card faces when
opened. I can't tell you how many times I receive
cards written on the wrong side or in the wrong direction.
- For
vertical, left-creased cards: Begin writing on the inner,
right side of the folded card.
- For
horizontal, top-creased cards: Begin writing on the inner,
lower side of the folded card.
- Some
cards are difficult to tell which way it is intended to
face. Be sure to look at the back side of the card for
guidance in this area.
- Begin the note based on your relationship
with the receiver.
- For
personal correspondence where you are accustomed to
calling the person by their first name: Dear John and
Mary, (first name followed by a "comma.") is
correct.
- For
business notes, stick to formal salutations until you are
invited to address the person by the first name: Dear Ms
Smith: (an honorific and last name, followed by a
"colon.") is proper.
- For
informal business notes, addressed to someone with whom
you want to address by their first name: Dear John: (first
name and a colon) is also
appropriate.
- Be specific in your thanks. When
thanking someone for inviting you to a meal or event,
mention how happy you were to share in the experience,
mention a person you enjoyed meeting, or a food item you
particularly liked. When thanking someone for performing a
favor for you, explain how important their gift of time was
for you. For physical gifts, name the item, along with
something nice and complimentary about it.
- Rather than say: "Dear Aunt Sarah, Thank you for
the lovely gift. I really like it. Love, Syndi."
- Do
say: "Dear Aunt Sarah, Thank you very much for the
beautiful black sweater for my birthday. It's just the
perfect item to wear at an evening occasion, where I want
to stay warm, yet still look dressy. Your loving niece,
Syndi Seid"
- Sign your first and last name clearly at the
end of your note. An exception may be to an
immediate family member who knows who you are by your
handwriting.
- Address the envelope using the person's full
name and appropriate honorific. Include your name
and return address. Use a regular postage stamp rather than
metered postage to send your note.
Happy
Thanking!
P.S. From me to you, my loyal readers
...
To
view our past Etiquette Tips of the Month, please choose
a topic below:
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