A card

A pen

An envelope

A stamp

Optional: craft materials such as glue, glitter, stickers and colored paper (this is a good idea for kids' thank-you notes)

Ten minutes or less per note

Type-written thank-yous are acceptable for formal job interviews. Proper spelling, grammar and punctuation are critical in this situation. The name of the person you're thanking and the company name are especially important, so get a business card before you leave.

If you get a lot of gifts at once, say at a party, shower, or wedding, keep a list of what you received and who gave it to you. Ask a friend to help if you need to.

If you are getting married and begin to receive gifts prior to the wedding, try to send your thank-you notes as you receive them. This will give you a head start on all the other ones you'll need to send.

If you received superior service from someone, a thank-you is not only appreciated, but can also serve as a reference they'll use for future clients.

2torial #0547: Learn2 Write a Thank-You Note The write stuff Let's say Aunt Mable just sent you a faux Ming dynasty vase and you're not quite sure what to do with it. First things first: set it down and get out your pen. It's time to write a thank-you note (even if Ming ain't your thing). If someone does something especially nice for you, it's important to let that person know how much you appreciate it. A thank-you note is the perfect means to do so. It's a personal touch that's enjoyed by all involved. Besides, it only takes a few minutes, and the results can last much longer. Even if you've already said thank-you in person or by telephone, it's still appropriate to send a note--even for close friends and family you see all the time. Thank-you notes are appropriate for gifts, special occasions, favors and even job interviews. They should be sent within a few days (unless they are for wedding gifts, in which case you generally have up to a month of leeway) after you spend time together or receive something. What to say depends on the situation, and there's no special formula to follow. Being sincere is what matters most. Everyone enjoys getting personal mail. And we're not talking e-mail here--it just doesn't measure up to a handwritten message. A thank-you card is like a gift in itself. It's something many folks hold on to so they can always remember the occasion. If you look at writing thank-you notes as a fun thing to do, rather than a chore, putting one together becomes a snap. Just think about how happy the person who gets it will be. Gather your materials Having your materials ready will encourage a prompt response. And writing a note when the event or gift receiving experience is fresh in your mind is much easier than trying to drudge up enthusiasm weeks after it's happened. Stay prepared by keeping a variety of note cards, envelopes, stamps, and craft materials on hand. How elaborate or creative you want to get is up to you. Kids will often show more enthusiasm in sending thank-you notes if making and writing the notes is seen as a creative venture. Have some cards that express your personality as well as the interests of people who are close to you. This way, receivers will be more likely to keep the card for a while, so they can be reminded of you or even keep it for others to see. Once you've gathered everything you'll need, designate a special box or drawer in which to keep it all. That way, you'll always be able to find it, and you'll quickly be able to decide if you need to re-stock anything. It's too easy to put off sending a thank-you note if everything you need isn't handy, so try not to let that happen. If it does happen, you can always create a "custom" card using craft materials or even your computer. If you run out of stamps and going to the post office isn't convenient, keep in mind that many ATMs, grocery stores and convenience shops may have them too. Use your own voice Too many people send thank-you notes that sound like they came from a machine. With a little practice, though, making the words sound friendly and natural will become second nature. The first thing to remember is to be sincere. You want to thank the person in the same tone you'd use if you were saying it face-to-face. Try saying your thank-you out loud before you write it down. Use a separate sheet of paper to practice first if you need to. Just imagine the person you're writing to is standing right there. Usually the first thing that comes to mind ends up being the perfect thing to say. For example, something formal like: "Dearest Aunt Mable, Thank you so much for the beautiful vase. What a kind and wonderful gesture" probably isn't the way you'd express yourself if she were there. Instead, something like: "Hello Mable, What a beautiful vase! You have such a talent for finding unique things. I'm looking forward to your next visit so you can see how great it looks in my house" sounds much more unique and personal. Know what to include Now that you have the tone down, each thank-you should include the following things: Appreciation for the gift or experience Something you particularly like(d) about it Plans for the gift, especially if it's money If the note is for a job interview, it should include: Appreciation for the interviewer's time Continued interest and enthusiasm for the position Answers to unresolved questions or issues Something that shows you listened to and remembered the conversation, such as a key point you feel was meaningful With all the right elements and the appropriate tone of voice, you're home free. Just remember to keep it short and simple. It's not a novel, it's a thank-you note. A few lines is enough for a personal note, and one page is plenty for business-related thanks. Mail it! The hard part is over--now you just have to send the note on its way. The sooner you can do this, the better. This is especially true for job interview situations; sending the note within 24 hours is imperative if you want to make a real impact. It's okay to send personal notes up to a few days after receiving a gift, favor, or attending a special occasion. But don't take any longer than a week. As mentioned previously, if you're sending a bunch of thank-you notes following a wedding or other large gathering, it's okay to take up to a month following the event. Some rumor mills claim the wedded pair have up to a year to send thank-you notes, but this isn't the case. Imagine how you'd feel if you sent someone a large check or expensive gift and then didn't hear from them for nine months! When it's all written and done, and as you're walking back from the mailbox, enjoy a thorough sense of goodwill. You've just done something really nice for someone who did something nice for you. -end- Learn More!