Category: Thank You Cards

The Lost Art of Thank You Cards

Recognizing good deeds or generous gifts is just common courtesy; however, it seems that most people of today do not make acknowledgements of “Thank You”.
When I was growing up, my mother would always make sure we sent Thank You cards for birthday gifts, Christmas presents and any other generous offering we received. Of course, my brother and I would whine and complain because we would have to handwrite each card, but it taught us to show appreciation for all that we are given.

I would send Thank You cards out for my children when they were little but now it’s their turn. Naturally, their response is “Can’t I just send a text?” My response is to ask them how it feels when they get a card a mail. That seems to be enough of an explanation. We all get that warm and fuzzy feeling when there is a surprise in the mailbox even if it’s as simple as a card.

Doing the right thing in your personal life will carry through to your professional life. When business associates stop in with donuts or my boss brings us lunch, I always make sure to send a Thank You card. The first time I did this my boss was so surprised that I would do such a thing.

Don’t fall victim to the lost art of Thank You Cards.

Thank You Cards: An Art To Be Encouraged

Why is it that the art of saying thank you seems to be in short supply? I was taught that if someone does something nice for you or gives you a present, you should say thank you. The best way was to write a note to the person with your sincere thoughts of thanks. Today it is easier, there are so many thank you cards available with a great variety of thank you sayings.

Thank you is such a basic part of my life and I find it sad to see that it is becoming less and less personal. Sending a text is okay but it can never replace the art or writing. When you take the time to choose a card, then write a note and address the envelope, you are showing that you were touched enough by that person to spend time selecting just the right card and saying.

Proper etiquette says that you should send a thank you within a month of receiving a gift or even having been invited to attend a dinner party. We should always remember that we are supposed to be practicing an elevated sense of propriety. Let me assure you if I am invited to your house, I will follow up my visit with a thank you card for the lovely evening spent with you.

The Versatility of Corporate Thank You Cards

You probably haven’t received a Thank You card in a while. Is it because they seem passé? Sure feels like it, but in today’s hustle bustle, it is more important than ever to use Thank You cards as a way of acknowledging your appreciation. For example, the elusive client meeting you finally landed.  Sure you may have taken the client out to lunch and sent a “thanks for meeting with me” email, but a Thank You card is a way to get noticed and stand out from the rest. Don’t miss the opportunity to get customers thinking positively about you and your business.  

Thank You cards also work great for your suppliers or vendors as well.  Have any of them gone out of their way to meet a deadline for you?  If so, keep the good relations going with a Thank You card. 

Thank You cards are great for giving internal kudos to those who deserve it. You obviously don’t want to send a card every time someone does their job right, but you do want to recognize those employees who go above and beyond. 

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish yourself as a company or a person in the corporate world, but using Thank You cards at appropriate times will really set you apart from the pack.

Post-Interview Thank You Card Tips

 

You’ve aced the interview, but you aren’t quite done yet. Here’s some helpful tips on how to properly close the interview by saying thank you with a card or note:

1. Addresses interviewer(s) by name and spell those name(s) correctly.
2. Choose an appropriate Thank You card design. Keep in mind that this card is an extension of you and how you’re presenting yourself, so choose wisely.
3. Write neatly and clearly. Use a legible color.
4. Plan what you’re going to say.
5. Reference the conversation you had without summarizing. Add to the depth of the main points or expand on an important issue. Pose questions when appropriate.
6. Reflect on additional useful qualities that you possess as well as reinforcing ones you’ve mentioned.
7. Focus on how you can and will improve the company upon your employment there. Give concrete examples and use your previous employment to support your claim.
8. Realize that they might have talked to dozens of people that day. Remind the interviewer(s) of who you are.
9. Realize that you might not have been the best candidate they spoke to—demonstrate to them why you truly are worth noticing so you don’t get dismissed.
10. Send it in a timely manner. A late Thank You note is not going to help support how you “take initiative.”
11. Don’t follow-up immediately after your Thank You note. There are exceptions, but generally this is unnecessary and looks desperate.

CHEAT SHEET: WHO TO SEND THANK YOU CARDS TO AND WHEN

In this age of instantaneous communication, it might seem like there is no need to send a personal Thank You Card to anyone anymore.  Surprisingly enough, there are many scenarios, both personal and business, for which this is still appropriate – and even expected.  The question is, who to send them to and when.

Below are the top scenarios for which this show of appreciation is still warranted and also appreciated by the recipient, along with guidelines for when to send the Thank You Card.

Gifts Received

  • Send within 6 weeks after receipt of the gift (sooner is better).

Scenarios:

  • Gifts received at an event that you host or is held in your honor.
  • Gifts received in acknowledgement of a major life event.
  • Gifts given by guests who could not attend and could not be thanked in person.

Examples:

Birthday · Anniversary · Engagement · Retirement · Graduation · Bridal Shower ·Wedding ·

Baby Shower · Birth of Baby · Baptism · Communion · Bar/Bat Mitzvah ·Confirmation · Congratulations · Housewarming · Surprise Party · Gifts received during an illness ·

Condolence Notes/Gifts

Kindness/Show of Appreciation

  • Best to send within a few days of the kindness you have received, but can be sent up to 2 weeks later. Beyond that time-frame, the sentiment will lose some impact.

                Scenarios:

  • A favor from a friend or neighbor such as pet sitting, house sitting, transportation, errands, etc.
  • After a hospital stay, to thank a nurse or doctor who went above and beyond.
  • To thank an exceptional teacher or babysitter.

Thank the Host/Hostess

  • Best when sent within a few days after the occasion, but best if sent no more than 2 weeks later.

                Scenarios:

  • A friend’s dinner party
  • An extended visit at someone’s home

Employment Search

  • Best when sent within 1 day of the interview, but no more than 2-3 days later.

Tips:

  • Not necessarily required, but definitely recommended.
  • Shows the interviewer that you have manners and reinforces your interest in the position.
  • Makes you stand out from the competition (most people do not send them).
  • Puts your name in front of the interviewer again.
  • Should be sent to each person who interviews you.

Business Thank You Cards

  • Should be sent within 5 business days after the event or action you wish to acknowledge, but no more than 10 business days (2 weeks) later. Sooner is always better.

Scenarios:

  • After meeting with a prospective new customer.
  • After a customer places their first order.
  • In appreciation of a customer’s continued business.
  • To a customer who has been patient in a difficult situation.
  • To the host of a business meeting or conference you were invited to and attended.

There may be many other reasons to send a hand-written Thank You Card.  The point is, there is really no reason not to take the initiative to show your appreciation to another person.  So go ahead!  Be creative, be appreciative, and send a beautiful Thank You Card.  It will be well-received!

Thank You Cards – When Is It Appropriate to Send One in the Workplace?

Saying thank you with a card is never really inappropriate however in the workplace just as everything else, we must practice moderation and follow policies that are set in place.  A simple thank you for a favor a coworker has done or to all the employees for their hard work during the quarter is almost always okay.  The only reasons a thank you can become a problem is if it disturbs someone or embarrasses them.  Personal thank yous can also show favoritism if there is a difference in hierarchy so bosses should refrain from sending out individual cards leaving that as a reward for something like a company-wide contest that everyone is aware of.

Appropriate occasions for a thank you card are plentiful keeping everything previously mentioned in mind.  Contemporary Thanks Anniversary Card this clean and spaced design gives a professional thank you to an employee the way you want it to, showing gratification without overdoing it.  While for those looking for something to write a more personalized message the Signature Thank You Card captures sincerity with a more artistic approach.  So whether you’re looking to thank all your employees or show appreciation for your coworkers for favors done a thank you card is definitely appropriate to send.  Trust me, it will definitely be appreciated and show in the future.

Greeting Cards Highlight – Thank You Cards

Chances are that there are people in your life who have helped you along the way, contributing positively to you or your business. We all have people in our lives who we are thankful for and sending them a thank you card is the perfect way to express that you acknowledge their impact, work or business.

Here are five great Thank You cards that will help get the message across:

First, the Thank You Scroll Card is the perfect card to thank your clients or customers. The “Thank You” message is written elegantly over a swirling tonal backdrop and stamped with embossed gold foil. The overall design on cream matte card stock looks polished and well-put together.

Another great thank you card for your clients or customers is the Thank You For Your Business card on a navy blue background. This thank you card is less formal than the “Thank You Scroll Card” but looks equally great with the gold lettering on navy background. The interesting lines underneath the “Thank You For Your Business Card” works as the focus point and is sure to draw in your customers.

If there is someone you’d like to thank during the holidays, the Regal Thank You card is a great card to send. The royal red and gold design on cream matte stock features subtly embossed details that remind one of the holidays, without being too specific as to which particular holiday. The classic card can be sent to employees, coworkers or loved ones, making it a great all-purpose card for you or your business.

One of my favorite thank you cards is the Peacock Thank You card because the design features just the right amount of detail to make a colorful impact. The “Thank You” message is simple, embossed in gold, while three peacock feather plumes featured in blue, red, and yellow stylishly wrap around the “Thank You” message. The embossed details on each feather stand out, leaving a tasteful impact. This card would be a great personal card or even a stylish card for your clients if you want to leave a lasting impression.

Last but not least, if you prefer a background design over a “Thank You” font design, why not express your gratitude with the Water Lily Nympheas card? This famous background by Claude Monet is outlined in a thick gold embossing and leaves room in the inside of the card to personally sign or handwrite your gratitude to your customers or loved ones. If you enjoy the Claude Monet backgrounds, there are also many other Monet landscape cards you can choose from in the Thank You card collection.

Remember what your mother always taught you: Always say please and “THANK YOU!”

Why You Should Send Thank You Cards After a Job Interview

With the job market the way it is, finding a job you love can be a challenging venture.  Once you get that key interview, I can guarantee you that there are many more applicants also interviewing for the position.  Sending a follow up Thank You Card after a job interview can be a special thing that sets you apart from all the others.  So many great candidates are out there vying for that one awesome job.  Standing out above the others is the one aspect you need to make a mark.

job-interview

A thank you card after a job interview keeps you fresh in the mind of the interviewer.  A person can make a major impact by presenting themselves as well versed during the interview but so can many other people.  Most applicants will have on that classic business suit, their hair and makeup groomed to perfection and the firm handshake necessary to win the job of their dreams.  But how can you make yourself be remembered if everyone else is also putting their best foot forward?

When the person in charge of hiring is finally alone after the interviewing process and in a state of total confusion by all the wonderful prospects, wouldn’t it be great for him to find a thank you card from you on his desk?  It will show him that this wasn’t just any old interview, but a job you care about and are willing to go the extra mile for.  Sending a Thank You Card after an interview will make you remembered by human resources!

Thank You Cards for a Job Well Done

It has been said that the best way to let an employee know they are doing a great job is by verbally saying such. I have found that words can easily be forgotten just as quickly as they come from your mouth. What better way can you create a memorable “JOB WELL DONE” than in the form of a THANK YOU CARD?

Peacock Thank You Card

In the workplace today, there are hundreds of thousands of employees all competing for the “star” title. It can be difficult to thank every employee verbally as well as individually. Using a THANK YOU CARD will not only say thanks; it can be a way to boost employee moral as well! Words can be forgotten, but that feeling of pride an employee feels from the acknowledgment of a job well done and physical THANK YOU CARD is priceless. It’s a memory that will be long lasting. And that, my friend, is how you create hardworking, loyal employees!

Being noticed for a job well done boosts pride in employees and this in turn creates a reason for repeat behavior. Wouldn’t it be grand to have a company full of employees all doing a great job, just because they know the hard work will indeed be noticed and acknowledged?

Consider it a “Circle of WORK life”! Employees giving great service > excited, repeat customers > increased revenue >thank you card (REPEAT)

Have you sent a THANK YOU CARD today?

How To Say Thank You In Different Languages

I work for a greeting card company in the design department; I am not a designer but I love coming up with new ideas for card designs.  My focus this year is on GRATITUDE, being thankful for all we have and acknowledging whomever was responsible for our good fortune.  Creating products geared toward businesses, one realizes that it is the customer that deserves the thanks; without them we would not be in business.

thank you

So getting back to my idea, I thought a z-fold calendar would be the perfect place to design a thank you; something that can be displayed all year long to be sent as the company holiday greeting card. I did some research and discovered that expressing thanks in this small world would be extra special if I could do it in different languages. I felt a little like Joel Grey in Cabaret when he sang Willkommen-don’t think that song wasn’t in my head all week!

I entered the term Thank You into bablefish.com and translated into languages that were common and familiar to me; Merci (French), Gracias (Spanish), Vielen Dank (German), Grazie (Italian) for instance. Grazie is my favorite, it sounds so cool rolling off the tongue-like you really mean Thank you