How to Say Thank You in a Card
Today we’re tackling the topic of how to say thank you in a card. At Boomf, we believe that saying thank you is one of the most impactful things you can do – whether it’s for a gift or someone’s presence in your life. Expressing gratitude to someone who has done something for you can mean the world to them. But knowing how and when to say thank you can be difficult. It’s hard to find the right words, to sound natural, to come across as grateful but not say “thank you” too much (yes, that’s a thing!).
This post will cover the why, when, and how of saying thank you, including common mistakes to avoid and some top tips for writing better thank you messages.
Why Should We Say Thank You?
Saying thank you is a simple gesture that brings happiness and positivity. We all know that it’s a polite thing to do, but gratitude is much more than that. It is a way of showing we appreciate someone or their efforts. It’s an act of kindness that costs us very little but can make someone’s day. If all that wasn’t enough, expressing gratitude has also been linked to improved physical and mental health, increased job satisfaction, and even better relationships!
When is it Appropriate to Say Thank You?
The simple answer is – always! We usually associate saying thank you with having first received a gift or a service, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Whether it’s a friend bringing you dinner or a colleague helping out at work, there’s always an opportunity to show appreciation. Some of the most meaningful acts of gratitude are the ones given for seemingly “no reason”. Not relying on an occasion is one of the best ways to make others feel genuinely seen and appreciated. Try simply saying thank you for someone’s presence or kindness they’ve shown you in the past.
Mistakes You Need to Avoid When Saying Thank You
Although saying a heartfelt thank you is usually lovely, there are a few mistakes you should keep in mind and avoid. Otherwise, you could run into a situation where your gratitude felt empty or fake or wasn’t received as warmly as you’d hoped. Let’s discuss some of the most common mistakes when saying thank you.
Forgetting to Say Thanks at All
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people forget to say thank you altogether! Sometimes we think that our gratitude is evident. But unless we actually show the other person that we’re grateful, they might never know. This can lead to unpleasant situations where your loved one feels taken for granted.
Waiting Too Long
When someone does something nice for you, acknowledge it right away. Putting off saying thank you might make it look like you find it a chore when you eventually do it. Most people will also hope for some show of gratitude after the deed. So if you don’t say thank you soon after, they might already negatively associate you with that experience, even if you say thank you later. Simply put, the longer you wait to say thank you, the less meaningful it becomes. So, at the very least, it’s good to find out how to say thank you in a card and send it as soon as you can.
Saying Thank You Too Much
Counterintuitively, there is such a thing as saying thank you too much. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with expressing your gratitude, but when you overdo it, it can come across as insincere. Furthermore, thanking someone profusely after a simple kind gesture can make your appreciation less impactful when it comes to more important events. And, importantly, saying thank you too much can make others uncomfortable. So, avoid saying thank you too much and be genuine.
Tips for Writing Better Thank You Messages
As we’ve mentioned, saying thank you can be challenging. And now that you know there are some dos and don’ts of expressing gratitude, you might feel even more lost. But don’t worry — we’re here to help! We’ll share a few tips to help you write meaningful and compelling messages.
Say It from the Heart
The most important thing to remember is to be genuine and sincere. Write from the heart and make sure your message reflects your true feelings. Being honest about your feelings is also a good tool to ensure your gratitude is adequate and not overblown!
Acknowledge What They Did
Make sure to mention what the person did for you and how it made you feel. You might think what you’re grateful for is clear, but stating what the other person did shows that you pay attention. This prevents your thank you note from coming across as dismissive or generic.
Explain How Their Actions Helped You
From acknowledging what the person did, it follows that you comment on how their action impacted your life. This reassures the recipient that they did the right thing – and makes them feel good!
Say It in Person
Saying thank you in person can be a significant act. Looking someone in the eye when expressing your gratitude can help you share your feelings and create a connection with the other person.
Send a Handwritten Thank You Note
However, sometimes saying thank you in person isn’t possible. It might be because there’s too great of a distance between you. Or, maybe it’s because of your personal choice – after all, not all feel comfortable in such vulnerable situations.
Worry not – sending a thank you card can be even more impactful than a face-to-face conversation. It shows the other person that you took time out of your day to show your gratitude rather than just mentioning it in passing. And they end up with a souvenir of this moment that they can keep to remind them of your sweet gesture!
If you want to send a note that will make your friend feel really special, consider getting a personalised card. It will make the recipient feel a lot more memorable than if you were to just get them a generic card. This doesn’t have to be a daunting process, either! You can browse our extensive thank you card collection to find an “almost perfect” one. Then, simply press a button to personalise it to your liking. Did we mention you can add confetti to your card for some extra grandeur?
Be Specific
Being specific in your thank you card is a great way to take your note from generic to extraordinary! For example, say: “Thank you for taking the time to show me around the city and treating me to a great dinner” rather than just: “Thanks for being a good host”. Mentioning the exact things you’re grateful for, rather than just the general sentiment, is the best way to make the recipient feel truly appreciated.
Send Along a Thoughtful Gift
As we’ve already mentioned, it’s important to match your act of gratitude to the situation. Sometimes a simple text message is enough; sometimes, you should figure out how to say thank you on a card. In other cases, sending a personalised card or even a gift is better! This way, you can ensure that the recipient doesn’t feel underappreciated.
It might be tricky to pick the right gift for the person that has shown you kindness. Sometimes you might feel stuck between whether a gift or a card is more appropriate. Luckily, we have just the answer for those tricky situations. Our range of letterbox gifts and gift boxes can be a perfect solution for such a dilemma. Furthermore, they come in a range of themes: from simple Sweets Letterbox Gifts to Luxury Champagne, Truffles and Candle Gift Boxes!
Offer to Return the Favour
Sometimes offering to return the favour is the best way of showing appreciation for someone’s gesture. For example, if someone helped you move house or gave you a lift when you needed it – let them know they can rely on you! It’s a great way of strengthening your relationship. Your friends will be happy to know you’re grateful, but they probably want to know you have their back, too.
Another, less intuitive way of returning a favour is to say thank you for someone’s act of gratitude toward you! It might seem unclear why or how to say thank you for a thank you card, but it’s actually a nice gesture. We don’t recommend you get stuck in an endless loop of thank-you notes, but a simple message is a great way to go!
Say it Publicly
Consider saying thank you publicly if you’re comfortable with grand gestures (and so is your friend!). You can easily do it on social media or your favourite radio station. This is definitely a bolder approach, but it’ll be well worth it! A public show of gratitude will show your friend that you’re thankful and want everyone to know because you think their gesture was very special.
But remember to ensure the recipient will feel comfortable with this way of saying thank you beforehand to avoid possibly embarrassing or upsetting them.
Pay it Forward
Finally, consider paying it forward. This is probably one of the best ways of showing your gratitude, as it simply makes the world a better place! Thank your friend appropriately, but also consider spreading that positive impact to the people around you. Maybe, if your friend helped you fix your car, you can consider helping someone else with a lift to the airport when they’re in a pinch. Or, if you’re unsure how to say thank you for a card and money you’ve received, consider buying a hot drink for someone in need!
Top 20 Ways To Say Thank You Meaningfully
If you’ve decided to say thank you to a person in your life – great! And if you feel a bit stuck and unsure how to say thank you in a card, we’ve got your back. Of course, you should make sure that your thank you note is personalised to reflect the act of kindness you’ve received. But to get you started and help you with inspiration, we compiled a list of 20 different ways that show how to say thank you in a thank-you card!
- Thank you very much for your gift – it’s like you can read my mind! I can’t wait to use it – it will make my days much brighter!
- Thank you for taking the time to hang out the other day. I know you have a busy schedule, and I’m touched that you made time to see me when I needed company. Know that you can reach out to me whenever and I’ll be there for you, too.
- I’m so grateful for all the work you do around the house. I know you sometimes feel like I don’t see it, but I do. I know that it’s thanks to you that bulbs get changed and taps fixed. You’re the best, I hope you know that!
- I’m really touched that you thought about us even when you were on holiday! We really appreciate your gift, which will make a great decoration on our living room table. We look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about your adventures!
- I just wanted to let you know that I forgot my wallet the other day, and your gift card came in handy! You saved my life there, friend. You’re the best!
- I know this has been a tough couple of weeks for both of us, and I want you to know that I really appreciate you showing up for me when I needed you the most. I couldn’t have done it without you.
- Your presence at our wedding was enough for us – but your gift really took it to the next level! Thank you for taking the time to find something we will really need now that we’re moving in together. That was so thoughtful of you.
- We’ve been saving up to refurbish our kitchen, and your gift is a massive help in getting us closer to this goal! We hope to have you over for dinner soon. Maybe we’ll even have our new kitchen by then!
- I’m so thankful you invited me to stay over these few days. It was wonderful to get away and relax, and I couldn’t ask for a more outstanding host. You really made me feel so welcome, and I have the best memories of this stay. I can’t wait for you to come to stay in my town soon!
- Thank you so much for inviting me to your birthday! You threw one hell of a party. I hope you had a great time too!
- Thank you so much for all the selflessness you’ve shown when caring for my loved one. I can’t put into words how grateful we all are – you’re a hero.
- I just wanted you to know that you really came through for me the other day! I really appreciate your help – I owe you one!
- Thank you for choosing such a thoughtful item for my birthday! I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
- Thank you for the delicious Christmas dinner! We’ve had a marvellous time and hope to repay the favour one day.
- Our child has grown so much this year. Thank you for your continuous support and patience with their progress!
- I just want you to know that I really appreciate your presence in my life. You make me a better person, and I hope I enrich your life as much as you do mine.
- Thank you for your support with this project – it has made a substantial positive difference in the end result. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.
- I feel grateful every day for having a special friend like you, someone who really understands me. You’re one of a kind.
- Your insight and advice on this issue were very influential. I’m deeply thankful.
- I want to let you know that your positive attitude is infectious, in the best kind. You’re an inspiration.
Thank you for your time!
At Boomf, we believe that expressing gratitude is one of the most important things you can do. We have a wide selection of thank you cards that you can use to show your appreciation and make someone’s day. Whether you’re sending a heartfelt thank you or a simple gesture of appreciation, our cards are the perfect way to express your gratitude. So, don’t forget to say thank you and show your appreciation – grab your thank you cards from Boomf today!