We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Thank You Card?

Amy Pollick
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 41,482
Share

While many rules of etiquette have been thrown out in recent years, one convention still holds for the well-mannered: the thank you card. A card or note is still expected when a person receives a gift or other consideration that may be somewhat out of the ordinary.

The thank you card or note is considered obligatory for couples acknowledging wedding gifts, and for graduates who need to say thanks for all the money they receive after graduation. It lets the giver know the gift was received and appreciated. Ideally, it should be written for birthday and Christmas gifts from relatives other than parents. Whether the gift is a material item or cash, a card should be sent promptly after receipt of the gift.

It is also appropriate to send one when someone has done a kindness that may be out of the ordinary, such as when a relative offers his or her home for an overnight stay. Job applicants should also send a thank you card after they have been interviewed by a prospective employer.

A thank you card or note does not need to be elaborate. A person can send one bought as a greeting card in the supermarket, on note stationery, or on a blank card. The gratitude expressed is what is important.

Some people hesitate to write a thank you note because they "don't know what to say." This is easily overcome — one simply thanks the giver for the gift and expresses appreciation for it.

An appropriate message may go along these lines: "Dear Grandmother. Thank you so much for giving me the scarf and hat for Christmas. They will help keep me warm this winter. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Love, Johnny."

For a check, the receiver could write something like "Dear Aunt Tillie. Thank you so much for the $20 check at my graduation. It will help me toward my down payment for my car at college. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you again. Love, John."

The writer should always express thanks, tell the giver how the gift will be used, and how much it is appreciated. A hand-made gift should always be particularly acknowledged in the thank you card. "Knowing you made my scarf and hat makes them very special," is just one example.

Gratitude is perhaps not as commonly expressed as it used to be, so a sincere thank you, even a brief one, will be appreciated. It is a rule of etiquette that deserves to be perpetuated.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Amy Pollick
By Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With experience in various roles and numerous articles under her belt, she crafts compelling content that informs and engages readers across various platforms on topics of all levels of complexity.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By dega2010 — On Jan 15, 2011

@boathugger: Sending a thank you note in regard to someone who sent flowers to a funeral is really just a personal choice. Many people will send a general thank you note to everyone that sent flowers. For more immediate friends and family that might have brought food or helped in other ways, you might want to send a more personalized thank you note.

However, if there were just too many people to thank, you can place an ad in the local newspaper thanking everyone for their flowers, food, and contributions that offered during your time of grief.

By BoatHugger — On Jan 14, 2011

Are you supposed to send a thank you card when people send flowers to a funeral?

Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at WiseGeek. With...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-thank-you-card.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.