Most people agree that writing a good thank-you card is an important skill. Parents especially spend a lot of time teaching gratitude. But sometimes, teaching kids exactly what to say can be the hardest part.
We’ve all received thank-you cards that were super generic and didn’t really convey a sense of gratitude. The best way to avoid this is to make the cards personal, and to be specific. There are many ways to make a thank-you feel personal and really mean something to the person receiving it.
Here are some steps to go through when teaching your kids how to write a great thank-you card:
Mention them by name First of all, while it may seem obvious, you should address the person you are writing to by name. It is a simple way to start your writing, and it lets the reader know that this was in fact written for them.
Be specific on what you are thankful for Be sure to mention exactly what you are thankful for, whether that be a gift, or a service they provided, or whatever it may be. There’s nothing worse than getting a thank-you but realizing that the person has no idea what they are even thanking you for. Also, if there are many thank-you cards being written (for example, after a graduation or a wedding), it is very important to write the correct gift on the card and not thank someone for a blender when they gave you a towel set!
Add an additional comment or compliment Just adding one more sentence to a thank-you card can really change the card from a typical thank-you that everyone sends into a special card of gratitude that really means something to whomever is receiving it. Something like “It was so great to finally get to see you again” or “You always give such great gifts” adds a personal touch that can really connect with the reader.
Wrap it up neatly There needs to be some closure to a thank-you card. Finish the card off with a positive statement, like “I hope you had a merry Christmas” or “Have a great time in Florida next month”. Again, something specific regarding the person receiving the card is best, if at all possible. To finish it off, use an ending phrase like “Sincerely” or “With love”, or whatever you prefer to use, sign your name, and it should be good to go!
While young children may need some help coming up with exactly what to say, it is important to teach kids how to write a good thank-you early so that by the time they are old enough to write them on their own, they have the knowledge and skills to write a great thank-you card.