Thank You Notes Made Easy
Teaching Children to Express Their Appreciation for Gifts Received
Aug 19, 2009
Writing a thank you note is easy if it is thought of as talking. It is telling someone thank you for a gift. The thanks is simply written, instead of spoken.
What actions are involved in receiving a gift?
- The gift is accepted, usually while saying the words thank you to the person that gave it.
- The gift is unwrapped.
- After opening the gift, it is admired and usually something nice is said about it.
Writing a thank you note is just that easy.
- Write thank you.
- Note what gift was received.
- Write something nice about the gift.
Writing a Note for a Gift That is Liked
Writing a note is especially easy when the gift is really, really liked. An example of that could be a Christmas gift. Uncle Joe sent an autographed team football for a Christmas present. Oh, wow! It is received with excitement. It will be cherished forever. This gift will be the envy of all other gifts.
An example of a note for something that was liked:
Dear Uncle Joe,
Thank you for my Christmas present. I was really surprised with the autographed Dallas football. I put it on the top shelf of my bookcase to keep it safe and clean. I can’t wait to go back to school and tell my friends. They will be so jealous.
Thanks again for the perfect gift. I will keep it forever.
Yours truly,
Joey
Writing a Note for a Gift That was Not Liked
An unpopular gift is often received. Aunt Susie sent a Winnie the Pooh® nightgown as a birthday present. It’s a pretty pink color with Winnie on the front. The nightgown is made of very soft material and fits perfectly. But Winnie the Pooh! One might think, "Doesn’t she know I am not a baby anymore?"
Now if she had bought a Disney Princesses® nightgown, that would have been perfect. Although the gift is really not liked, a thank you note still needs to be written. There is no need to lie and a perfectly well written thank you note is possible if one thinks about the gift and the possible reasons it was bought.
One should keep in mind that Aunt Susie remembered the date and went shopping for a special gift that she thought was appropriate. It has been three years since Aunt Susie was in town. At that time the child's room was decorated with Winnie the Pooh. Keeping those things in mind helps in writing her thank you note.
Example of a note for something not really liked:
Dear Aunt Susie,
Thank you for remembering my birthday. The nightgown is very soft and pink is still my favorite color. It fits me perfectly and I know it will keep me warm on cold nights. I will always think of you when I wear it.
Thanks again for my birthday present.
Love,
Emily
Money Received as a Gift
Most people like to receive money, but what can be said about it? Grandma sent a really cute card with a check for $20. The gift was received with delight. Thoughts for the money may have been, "Oh boy, now I can get that computer program or go on the school field trip I have been saving for?" Those thoughts can be said in the thank you note. It is a good idea to tell the person how the money might be used. One is not bound by any promise if it is used for something else. Also, don’t forget to read the card that was picked out.
An example of a thank you note for money:
Dear Grandma,
I received the cute birthday card you sent me with the $20.00 check. Thank you so much. My class is planning a field trip to the state capitol. I really want to go and I have been saving my allowance for the trip. Now I can add this money to that savings too. I know the trip will be a lot of fun.
Thank you for remembering my birthday and thanks again for the card and money.
Love,
Mary
Writing a thank you note should be painless! The trick is to keep in mind that the written words are the same words used if it were spoken. One's expression of thanks is all that really matters. It does not take fancy words to say Thank You.
 |
