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There are times when a gift, favor, or service needs to be formally acknowledged by the recipient, and a personalized thank you card is the right gesture for the job. The etiquette surrounding the use of these cards changes from occasion to occasion, but in general, any gift or service of note deserves some form of response, even if it’s only a few lines of gratitude on a small card, phone call, text, or email.
A thank you card not only works as a receipt but also completes the social contract of gift giving. The sending of the cards has become a post-wedding tradition for many newlyweds, and job seekers have also discovered the power of a prompt and professional thank-you card to interviewers. Some cards provide a simple message with ample space for a personal response, while others are more focused on a specific occasion, such as a wedding, graduation, or birthday.
After a job interview: A personalized card thanking the interviewer for their time and effort is a good way to create some goodwill even if the position is filled by another applicant.
After a wedding reception: Many newlyweds and their families invest in these cards to personally acknowledge all the gifts they receive. The card should mention the specific gift and the gift giver.
After graduation: Gifts received for high school or college graduation should be acknowledged formally with a card or personalized note or email.
After a wake or funeral: Many people send condolences in the form of food items, monetary donations, services, or gifts. After an appropriate period of bereavement, these relatives, co-workers, and friends should receive a thank-you card.
After a stay in someone’s home: A card to someone who provided a house guest a place to stay can include a personalized note of gratitude and a compliment or two about the accommodations.
After a personal service or favor: Professionals might not expect thank-you notes for performing contracted services, but anyone who volunteers their time or expertise should be acknowledged.
Thank-you cards are available in a wide range of styles and designs, from plain note cards to personalized cards featuring professional graphics and calligraphy. When sending a large number of cards after a social event, many people opt for plain white cardstock with a simple message of gratitude and a blank interior with space for a handwritten note.
There are also individual or limited edition thank-you cards designed for specific themes or occasions. These may feature specific graphics and a more focused message, such as “Thank you for your gift” or “Your support means so much at this time.” These cards are appropriate for thanking interviewers, instructors, mentors, or co-workers.
A personal thank-you card can be as small as a business card and included as part of other correspondence. There are also larger thank-you cards, like greeting cards, that can be mailed individually. Unlike many other types of greeting cards, a thank-you card should contain a generous amount of blank space for a handwritten response rather than a generic or stock message.
Sets of cards should contain matching envelopes in standard sizes for mailing. These envelopes might also have a simple graphic or be blank. Note that some bulk sets of thank-you cards don’t include envelopes, so you’ll need to determine the proper size you need and purchase envelopes separately from a stationery supply retailer.
Because thank-you cards are often sent to multiple recipients, many manufacturers package their offerings in sets of ten or more. Selecting thank-you cards in bulk makes good sense economically because many people need to write a note of thanks periodically, and it’s convenient to have some on hand.
While a straightforward “thank you” or “with gratitude” message will cover many occasions, you might want to send a more personalized message. It’s possible to order thank-you cards with a customized message that includes your name or reference to the specific occasion. These customized cards cost more than the generic versions, but they also provide recipients with a memento of the occasion.
Noting the future use of a gift item is a good way to add a personal touch to a thank-you card.
Basic thank you cards sold in bulk cost up to $0.25 per card, including envelopes. The graphics tend to be simple, with a blank interior and a generic message.
Thank you cards at this price are more likely to be found in packs of 10 to 20, with more stylized graphics and personalized messages. These cards average about $1 or more per card.
Individual thank you cards with unique designs and personalized messages can cost as much as any other greeting card. You can expect to pay between $5 and $15 each for high-end cards.
A. The answer largely depends on the scope of the gift or service. Thanking someone for a small personal favor or casual lunch doesn’t require a card, but a more substantial gift or extraordinary service should be acknowledged with a more formal response,
A. A handwritten card thanking the interviewer for their time is always a good idea regardless of the outcome. There could be future opportunities for other positions, and a thank-you note leaves a positive impression of you.
A. If you know you’ll be sending a significant number of cards after a social event, you can address the envelopes ahead of time based on the guest list. You could also designate a small group of volunteers to create a mailing list during or immediately after the event.
A. While there is some disagreement among etiquette experts over the proper deadline for sending cards after a wedding, a good general guideline is within three months after the event. However, most guests will understand if the response is slightly delayed. A late card is preferable to no card at all. The etiquette rule is largely in place to discourage procrastination.
