Thank You Card Etiquette: Top Tips for Showing Your Appreciation

An attitude of gratitude shows the people in your life that you care about the impact they make. Whether it’s a friend taking time out of their busy schedule to attend your birthday party or a cousin making an international trek to be at your wedding, sending a thank you card is a thoughtful way to express your appreciation. 

However, figuring out the details of thank you card etiquette — like what to say in your message and when to send the card — can be a little daunting. But not to worry. Here, you’ll find plenty of helpful tips on proper etiquette along with some of our favorite thank you card designs to convey your sincere sentiments.

Thank You Card Etiquette: A Guide to Gratitude

We all know it’s polite to say thanks when someone makes an effort or gives a gift. But understanding the finer details of when to say thanks, what to write, and what kind of card to send can be more nuanced. Follow these thank you card etiquette guidelines on your journey of gratitude. 

When to Send Thank You Cards

Weddings and wedding showers are perhaps the most obvious occasions for sending a thank you card. It’s no wonder why wedding invitations are often part of larger stationery suites that include thank you cards. But it’s also polite to send thank you cards on many other occasions.

Here are a few examples of when it’s customary to send thank you cards:

• After a job interview
• When someone gives you a generous gift for graduation or another milestone moment
• When someone has attended a baby shower
• After a bridal shower where you were showered with love and gifts
• When you receive birthday gifts or presents for other holidays like Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day
• After a dinner party where a friend or family member brought a housewarming present
• To show appreciation for a teacher who goes above and beyond 
• For random acts of kindness — like when someone donates toys to a charity you run or gives raffle prizes for a fundraiser you’re hosting

There are many circumstances when it’s appropriate to send thank you cards. Essentially, any moment you want to express gratitude is the right time to send thanks in a note or card. Thank you note etiquette also covers the timing of sending your note. Typically, you should send a custom thank you note a few days to a few weeks after the big day. But sending a card late is better than never sending one at all. 

How to Write a Thank You Note

Now that you know when to send a thank you card, it’s important to spend some time figuring out what to say. Here are some tips on how to write a thank you note. 

A great thank you card should start with an address — formal or informal, depending on the situation. It should also have a personal touch and end with a sign-off. 

For formal notes, thank you card etiquette requires using the person’s full name and any titles, if applicable. Use formal language throughout and avoid abbreviations. For informal cards, you can use nicknames or first names only. 

To make your card special, add a personal touch. You don’t need to send a handwritten note to make it personal and sincere. Use a digital card and refer to the specific gift, thoughtful gesture, or favor they gave you. For instance, you could share a special story from the time you spent together on a special day. Or you can mention how you were able to make your son’s basketball game thanks to your coworker taking your shift.

Send your thank you note promptly for the biggest impact. While a thank you note a few days or a couple of weeks after the event is appreciated, you generally have up to two months after the event to send thanks. If you’re late, go ahead and send the thank you card anyway with a brief mention acknowledging the delay. You could even use it as a source of humor if you have that type of relationship with the recipient!

Thank You Card Examples

Need some inspiration when it comes to your message? Here are some ideas for your thank you card messages covering a variety of occasions.

Wedding Thank You Card

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tillerson,

Thank you for taking the time to attend our big day. We had so much fun sipping cocktails and tearing up the dance floor with you. We also can’t wait to use the cast iron cookware you got us — it’s such a special gift that we’ll use at the holidays with our loved ones.

With love,

Sarah and Jack — The Newlyweds

Interview Thank You Note

Dear Dr. Carlos Ocon, 

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me yesterday and review my skills and expertise for the job position. I appreciated learning more about the company’s values and team goals. I look forward to continued conversation and seeing how I can contribute to the business.

Sincerely, 

Lacey Perez

Baby Shower Gift Thank You Note

Dear Tracy,

Thank you for the diapers and the custom baby onesie you knitted. It’s the cutest outfit and I can’t wait to put her in it — when she gets a bit bigger! I can’t imagine how much time it took to make it. We are so grateful for such a thoughtful and beautiful present. We can’t wait until your next visit. Until then, sending all our gratitude and love.

Xoxo,

Elise, Brendan, and Baby Lisa

Stunning Thank You Cards to Show Your Gratitude

Know what you want to say in your thank you message? Now it’s time to pick a card so you can send it off! Here are some of our favorite thank you card designs you can customize now. Add a personal note and show gratitude for everything from wedding day gifts to baby shower presents and more.

1. Watercolor Deckled Thank You Note

Design: Bonjour Berry

Designed as part of a larger wedding stationery suite, this colorful thank you card features a deckled edge, watercolor background, and elegant gold foil accents. Use it to thank those who attended your wedding or sent a special gift honoring your special day.

2. Candyland Thank You Note

Design: TM Stationery

Colorful and cheerful, this vibrant thank you note has a whimsical feel. Use it to say thanks to guests who attended your child’s birthday party or sent baby shower gifts. Choose from three different color palettes and customize the design with personalized messages in bold font.

3. Cattleya Orchids Thank You Note

Design: Diasty Hardhikaputri

Cattleya orchids are often tied to strength and love, making this floral thank you note a great choice for weddings, bridal showers, and many other occasions. Customize the design to add more text with a personal message or keep it simple with a few words of appreciation.

4. Pearl Starburst Thank You Note

Design: Inspired by Luly Yang

This thank you card template is bursting with joy, just like you! Send it to bridesmaids to show how much you appreciate them or to guests who took the time to attend your New Year’s Eve party.

Show Your Gratitude and Spread the Love

When it’s time to share heartfelt thanks, choose a thank you greeting card from Greenvelope. Each card design is completely customizable so you can make each one as unique and personal as the recipient. Choose a design, make custom changes to the color palette, font, and other design elements, then send it off via email, text message, or social media.

Want more help when it comes to wording and thank you card etiquette tips? Continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find wording ideas for different occasions and scenarios along with design ideas to pick the best card for any moment of gratitude.