It's that time of year again, when young men and women will take their finals and move on to their next stage of life. Graduation invitations will arrive, money and gifts will be exchanged, and young boys and girls will take a major step into adulthood.
Many of these graduates will receive monetary gifts to help them as they move to college, begin jobs or move out to live on their own. Writing thank-you notes for such a gift can be difficult. Unlike weddings, where many of the gifts are for immediate use, thanking people for a gift of money is much more difficult, particularly when the recent grad is unsure of his or her plans for the money.
Still, thank-you notes are a must for anyone who gives a gift of any kind, no exemptions. The good news is, by following a few basic guidelines, writing graduation thank you notes doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it can turn into a rewarding experience of thanking those who have shown valuable care and support.
1. Personalize your notes. I know, sending a generic thank-you note to 50 people would be so much easier. However, adding a personal touch to a card to someone who took the time to send you a gift is the only way to go. Famous etiquette expert Peggy Post said it best: "Do remember that a gift should be acknowledged with the same courtesy and generous spirit in which it was given."
Handwritten notes are by far the best when thanking someone for a gift. Do not print generic cards with only your signature. Sit down a write a few sentences and sign. It doesn't have to be a lengthy note, but a few words thanking the sender will go a long way.
Choosing a unique design is another way to add a special touch to a thank-you note. Cards no longer have to be simple, white and monogrammed. They can have sparkle, color and whatever personalization you choose. Sending your thanks in quality stationery shows that put extra effort in showing your gratitude.
2. Be Timely: This is probably the most difficult part of thank-you etiquette to observe. Trips, moving, studying and countless other activities get in the way as recent grads try to cram as much in over the course of their last summer vacation before school begins in the fall. Sending thank you notes is probably toward the bottom of their list, somewhere next to packing and doing the dishes.
Still, when it comes to graduation thank-you notes, the sooner the better. Although, keep going if you're still sending them out after a few months. The main point is to make certain every gift giver gets a proper thank-you.
3. Be Specific. This could fall under the "personalize" category; however, it is vital to note how the gift will be put to use. Once again, this would be much easier if it was mixer or photo frame, but any effort to let the giver know exactly how they helped will be greatly appreciated. For example, if Aunt Abigail sent $100 and a congratulatory card, a possible reply would be:
Dear Aunt Abigail,
Thank you for sending the thoughtful card and check. Your generosity will certainly come in handy when it's time to purchase text books in the fall. Thank you for thinking of me, and I hope to see you when I return home for Christmas break.
Sincerely,
Bobby
As you can see, a note does not need to be long to be effective. Also, acknowledging the amount of a monetary gift is optional. In fact, it may be a useful way of letting the sender know that the amount arrived in tact. Don't, however, base your efforts on the value of the gift. Put the same effort into each thank you note.
4. Thank those who didn't send gifts. If you have friends or loved ones who came to your graduation, send them a thank you note as well. Let them know that you are grateful for their attendance and look forward to seeing them again when you return home.
As you can see, while necessary, sending thank-you notes following graduation doesn't need to be difficult. Acknowleding those who have supported you throughout the years and made an effort to see you through to the next step is a vital part of gradution. Take the time to thank them, as they took the time to lend their support.
This post is sponsored by Atlanta, Georgia, invitations and stationery.
Photo by Robert Crum via Flickr Creative Commons.
Sending thank you notes for any kind of gift is very important. My wife's grandmother stop sending her gift of car insurance every month when she stopped sending thank you notes. This lesson has stayed with her for years and she is very good about sending thank you notes to this day. What the note says is very important too. Great advice in this post.
We are crushed that our Granddaughter has not thanked us in any way for an expensive trip and a large cash graduation gift. Since it was cash, we do not even know if she got it. Hints do no good. No more gifts for her
I opted to do without things I myself needed to give my long time office manager's daughter a VERY generous monetary high school graduation gift, and heard nothing until, I am sure with prodding from her mother, I received a Thank You note months later. Trust me, for her college graduation and marriage, this girl will receive a very tasteful CARD…that's it! My grandmother felt that INGRATITUDE should rank up there with unpardonable sins…
I have given large monetary gifts for three different friends' children for weddings, graduations and baby/wedding showers. Those recipients never sent a thank you card. Therefore, if I am invited to any future events for them, they will receive a gift of a lesser value or I will decline to attend. Manners never goes out of style. Thanking someone is always the right etiquette.
Absolutely beautiful personal expressions about sending thank you. I strongly agree. Good manners never go out of style!