How to Write a Birthday Thank You

After all the cake has been eaten, the guests have gone home and the wrapping paper is in the recycling bin, it's time to buckle down and write those birthday thank you notes. Not everyone is in the habit of writing thank you cards for gifts they've received, so your well-crafted and prompt appreciation might be a surprise. In the age of texting and emails, a thoughtful, hand-written thank you note will be even more appreciated.

How To Write A Birthday Thank You Card

• 1

  Make a list of the gifts you received and who gave them to you. This step is very important because you do not want to send a thank you for the wrong gift. If you received more than a of couple presents, do not rely on your memory for this later; write the list as soon as you can after the party, or if you start getting gifts a day or two before your real birthday, start the list as soon as you get the first gift.

• 2

  Gather the addresses of all the people you will be sending cards to and have them with you when you sit down to write the notes. It can also help speed things along to address all of the envelopes ahead of time, rather than address each one as you write.

• 3

  Address the message formally with "Dear ___." Mention your gratitude for seeing the person or for their thoughtfulness Then thank them for the gift and be specific. For example, "I really appreciate the gift certificate to Baskin' Robbins; you know how much I love ice cream!" is better than, "Thanks for the gift card."

• 4

  Refer to what you will use the gift for. For example, "I have many home improvement projects on my to-do list, so the Home Depot gift card will come in really handy." If you have received a gift card but don't know what you will buy with it (such as one from Target, which has everything from food to toys to potting soil) just tell the giver you are looking forward to a fun shopping trip.

• 5

  Sign the card, and decorate it if you wish. Rubber stamps or stickers can be nice touches, even for adults sending thank you cards.

• 6

  Put stamps on the cards and mail them.