Anatomy of a Thank You & Stationery For Your Style

While the prospect of writing a thank you note may not necessarily excite everyone, the wide array of cute stationery out there certainly will! (Or is that just me?)  The array of available designs, prints, shapes, and colors mean that your stationery can not only stand out from the crowd, but also reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer a clean design, a funky print, or a monogrammed seal, you can no doubt find an appropriate set of notes that best suits your penmanship.

For the prepster:

Kate Spade: Kate Spade stationery is one of my personal favorites.  Her designs are fun but not overbearing, and the colorful matching envelopes provide the perfect finishing touch.  Her cards will surely dazzle and put a smile on the face of any recipient! 

Sugar Paper: Sugar Company was founded in 2003 by two friends who appreciate the simplicity and style of good old-fashioned stationery. Based in Los Angeles, Sugar Paper can ship their lovely designs anywhere in the country, and thank goodness they can, because they have an exquisite and extensive selection!  

For the art history major:

Metropolitan Museum of Art Store: any art museum is bound to have a gift shop, but even if you don’t live near a city, you can still shop the online museum stores.  One museum that has an extensive online selection is the Met, where you can find boxed sets featuring everything from 16th century Dutch landscapes to abstract Cubists.  The receiver will appreciate your note, as well as the art they first see when they open it.

For the graphic artist:

Rifle Paper Co: Rifle Paper Co features a whole host of cards, from thank you notes to congratulatory cards to birthday cards.  The bold designs and clever graphics catch the eye and have a modernist sensibility.

For the classicist:

Crane & Co: Most of Crane & Co’s cards are classic and simple, often with a streamlined border and one object of focus, such as a starfish or palm tree.  They are extremely versatile and can serve a variety of purposes, from thank you notes to get well cards. 

For the monogrammer:
While most of the companies and designers mentioned above offer monogramming, there are companies that specialize in monogramming and give you a great deal of flexibility in your personalized design.

May Designs: one visit to their website and it is clear that this company is dedicated to its motto: “Life is short. Make it pretty!” May Designs offers classic, preppy templates, but then gives you the ability to pick the shape, color, and design of your monogram, and the interior design of the envelope.

The Stationery Studio:  this is one website that could initially be overwhelming as the design possibilities are endless – you could say it is the department store of stationery.  If you really don’t know what you want, this site will allow you to browse business stationery, cute graphic stationery, classic stationery, bold stationery…you get the idea.  You have the ability to craft your own set of notes, picking everything from note stock color to borders and monogram placement. 

If you’re in a hurry and don’t have a stationary collection at the ready, remember that every local pharmacy has an extensive card section where you can find a note for any occasion.  Furthermore, big box stores like Target offer a great selection of cute and bold reasonably priced cards. They may not perfectly reflect your style, but remember that ultimately it is the thought that counts.  While it is great fun to shop around for new stationary, your recipient will appreciate the note primarily for its thought and content, not its design.

Anatomy of a Thank You

In a world of Facebook, Twitter, E-mail, and texting it is very rare to receive an actual hand written letter. But who doesn’t love receiving a little snail mail? Composing a meaningful thank you note in particular is a very important skill. I know what you might be thinking, thank you notes are so tired, sending a text or making a quick phone call is just as effective as a note. Although it is a lot easier to thank your grandma for your birthday gift over the phone, she will really appreciate a thoughtful thank you note. But thank you notes are not only meant for birthday gifts! They can be used for a variety of reasons including in the business world! Thank you notes are usually done in one of two categories, personal and business.

Personal
Personal thank you notes should be sent:

• When you receive a gift (birthday, graduation, etc.)
• When you have been a house guest in someone else’s home

A personal thank you note breakdown:

1. On the envelope you should include your address at the top. This ensures that if they do not already have your address they will add it to their address book.
2. Address the recipient as “Dear [name]” or “Hi [name]” then open the letter by thanking them for the gift, hospitality or kindness offered.
3. The second sentence should give some indication of your enjoyment or use of the gift.
4. Following this you can go to share a little news about yourself. This is especially useful if you have been out of touch with your friend for a while. However, if you would prefer to focus on the thoughtfulness of your friend’s gift or hospitality you can forego this step.
5. A good closing sentence is one that looks forward to seeing the recipient – especially if a reunion or holiday is coming up.  Also another “thank you ” is a good idea, to emphasize the purpose of the letter.
6. With relatives you can end your note with “love” or “love from”. When the thank you note is meant to be slightly more formal ending with “best wishes” or “thanks again” or “sincerely”

Business
It is equally as important to know how to send a birthday thank you as well as a career related thank you.

Business thank you notes should be sent:

• After an informational interview
• After a job interview
• When someone writes you a reference letter

A business thank you note breakdown:

1. Since this is a business letter, you should address it in a formal manner. It shoud include your address, the recipient’s addres and the date.
2. When you address the recipient use “Dear [name]” and be use Mr. or Mrs, rather than just John.
3. Begin your note by thanking them for their time (informational or job interview), promotion, event, office gift or any other reasons.
4. In the following sentences address the significance of what you are thankful for (insight into a possible career, a possible job etc.)
5. You can opt to discuss the next occasion when you will see them. However, do not be presumptuous! If you are writing a thank you for an interview do not act as though you already got the job.
6. Do not forget to thank them once again for their time!
7. The most appropriate closures for formal notes are “Best regards”, “Yours truly” or “Sincerely”.  

Extra tips:

• Timing is key – Do not wait months to say thank you. Try to send a thank you note within a week of receiving a gift. This will keep you from forgetting and your recipient will appreciate your quick response!
• Penmanship – Take your time when writing the note, you want it to be legible! Words should not be smudged or crossed out.
• Always proofread – We all make mistakes so be sure to read through your notes at least once before you seal them.
• Stationary says it all – Embossed cards with matching envelopes look much better than folded notebook paper stuffed in a plain envelope. Do not feel like you have to splurge though! There are tons of different stationary options that you can choose from office supply stores or online.
• Don’t refer to specific amounts of money – Instead of thanking your aunt for that large check that you are putting towards your spring break trip, say thanks for the generosity. Tell her that you appreciate her kindness and what you are putting the money towards.
• Never too late – Although thank you notes should be written right away, do not feel embarrassed to send one a little late. It is always better to send a late thank you than none at all.
• Send notes for little things – Thank you notes do not have to always be done for birthdays or business! Sometimes it is nice to send a note just because! Your family and friends will greatly appreciate your surprising gratitude.