Just when you thought you could heave a sigh of relief, there’s one more wedding-related task that mustn’t be forgotten- writing “thank you” notes for all the gifts you received. After all, your mom will want to everyone to know that you’ve been brought up properly!
But sometimes the task can be a little daunting, especially when it comes to writing “thank you’s” for gifts you don’t really love, or notes to people you don’t really know. But with a little finesse and a few helpful pointers you’ll be on your merry way!
Make a List
Hopefully you’ve been keeping track of everyone who sent a gift, and what that gift was. A simple excel spreadsheet works well for this type of thing. Use your wedding invitation list as a starting point, and add space to write in what gift each person sent, and when the “thank you” card was mailed. If you don’t have a gift list already, go through your invitation list and do your best to recall what each person sent.
Get the Cards
Of course, you’ll need something to write on! You can always buy boxed “Thank You” cards, but why not seize this one last chance to personalize them? There are hundreds of gorgeous options; you’ll have lots of fun choosing one to reflect your style, and adding your own photos and message.
Time Frame
Proper etiquette dictates that you have 2 week to send a card for gifts received before the wedding, and 2-3 months for gifts received at or after the wedding. But of course, a late “thank you” is better than no “thank you” at all, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t get them all out on time.
What to Write
Remember that this is just a short note, not a long letter. Include the following:
- Thank the person for the specific gift: “Thanks so much for the lovely crystal pitcher!”
- Say something about how it will be used: “We look forward to using it at many future happy occasions. It will certainly add elegance to our table!”
- If you can’t say something nice about the gift, praise the person: “Thank you for the green-and-orange bath towels. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are greatly appreciated!”
- If the the gift was money, you can mention something you’d like to use it for: “Thank you for the check! We look forward to doing a few home improvement projects, and your gift will definitely come in handy. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve done!”
- Mention how much you enjoyed seeing them at the wedding, or if they weren’t there, how you missed them.
Getting it Done
Because writing “thank you” cards tends to be one of those things people procrastinate about, help yourself get them off in a timely fashion. One good suggestion is to have a “thank-you-card-writing station.” This is a place where you have everything all ready to go- cards, envelopes, pens, stamps, and gift list. Make sure you’ve got the addresses on the gift list so you can drop the cards in the mail right away!
Write each card as soon as you receive a gift. This way they won’t pile up on you. And avoid the urge to be creative or witty– it is enough to express your gratitude for the gift and appreciation for the person who sent it!