Thank you note for a gift: a simple formula and 40 examples to copy

The short answer: a good thank you note for gift giving is four or five sentences: greet the person, name the gift, say how you'll use it, mention the person and close warmly.

• Send it within a few days
• Mailed gift: within 2 to 3 days
• 40 examples for Christmas, money, gift cards, family and coworkers
• What to do if you're running late
• Next step: Plan it with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99).

A good thank you note for a gift is four or five sentences: greet the person, name the gift, say how you'll use or enjoy it, mention the person, and close warmly. Send it within a few days. Below is a fill-in formula, 40 thank you note examples for Christmas gifts, money, gift cards, family, friends and coworkers, and what to do if you're running late.

I love giving and receiving cards, and I keep the ones people send me. A two-line note in someone's handwriting can mean more than the gift itself, so this is one tradition I'd never skip. If you're the guest instead, our wedding card messages cover what to write in a wedding card.

The 4-line formula for a thank you note

1. Greeting: "Dear Aunt Lisa,"
2. Name the gift: "Thank you so much for the cozy red scarf."
3. Say how you'll use it: "I've worn it every morning on my walk, and it's perfect with my winter coat."
4. Mention the person: "It was so good to see you at Christmas, and I loved hearing about your trip."
5. Warm close: "With love and thanks, Maya"

That's it. Fill in the blanks and you've written a thank you note for a gift in two minutes.

When to send a thank you note

The Emily Post Institute's guide to thank you notes says every gift should be acknowledged with a note unless you opened it in front of the giver and thanked them in person, and that a late note is always better than no note. For holiday and birthday gifts, Emily Post's advice on different ways to say thank-you is to write within two or three days, and to thank people for Christmas or Chanukah gifts before New Year's Day.

Thank you notes for Christmas gifts

1. "Thank you for the beautiful ornament. It's hanging front and center on our tree, and I smile every time I see it."
2. "Thank you for the cookbook! I've already flagged three recipes to try this month."
3. "The hot cocoa set was the perfect gift. It's become my favorite way to end a cold evening."
4. "Thank you for the cozy blanket. It's already claimed the best spot on the couch."
5. "Thank you for thinking of me this Christmas. The candle makes the whole room smell like the holidays."
6. "I love the framed photo. Thank you for capturing such a happy memory."
7. "Thank you for the book. I started it on Christmas night and couldn't put it down."
8. "Your homemade cookies didn't last a day. Thank you for sharing your baking with us!"

Thank you notes for money and gift cards

9. "Thank you for your generous Christmas gift. I'm putting it toward my savings for a new laptop."
10. "Thank you for the check. It's going straight into our vacation fund, and I'll send you a postcard."
11. "Thank you for the gift card to the bookstore. I'm already choosing a stack of new reads."
12. "Thank you for the restaurant gift card! We're planning a date night with it next month."
13. "Thank you for the coffee shop gift card. Every latte this winter will remind me of you."
14. "Thank you for your generosity. The money will help with my school supplies next semester."

Thank you notes for family

15. "Mom and Dad, thank you for the thoughtful gift and for making Christmas so warm this year."
16. "Grandma, thank you for the sweater. I love that you remembered my favorite color."
17. "Grandpa, thank you for the card and the gift. Your note made me tear up in the best way."
18. "Thank you, sis, for the perfect gift. You always know exactly what I need."
19. "Thank you for the gift and for hosting us. Christmas at your house is my favorite part of the year."
20. "Thank you for remembering the kids this Christmas. Your kindness means so much to our family."

Thank you notes for friends

21. "Thank you for the gift! You know me better than anyone."
22. "I can't stop using the mug you gave me. Thank you for such a fun surprise."
23. "Thank you for the thoughtful gift and for being such a good friend this year."
24. "Your gift made my week. Let's get together soon so I can thank you in person."
25. "Thank you for the plant. It's thriving on my windowsill, and so am I, thanks to friends like you."

Thank you notes for coworkers and bosses

26. "Thank you for the thoughtful gift. I really enjoy working with you."
27. "Thank you for the gift card. It was a kind surprise at the end of a busy year."
28. "Thank you for the holiday gift and for your support this year. I'm grateful to be on this team."
29. "Thank you for the Secret Santa gift! It's exactly the kind of thing I'd never buy for myself."
30. "Thank you for the treats for the office. They disappeared in minutes."

Thank you notes for teachers, neighbors and others

31. "Thank you for the kind gift and for all you do for our class."
32. "Thank you for the cookies, neighbor! We feel lucky to live next to you."
33. "Thank you for the gift. Your thoughtfulness made our holiday brighter."
34. "Thank you for the beautiful card and the gift. I'll keep the card with my favorites."

Pairing the note with a small gift? Our list of teacher appreciation gifts has ideas teachers actually use.

Short thank you notes (for small gifts or quick cards)

35. "Thank you for the lovely gift. It made my day."
36. "So thoughtful of you. Thank you!"
37. "Thank you for remembering me this Christmas."
38. "Thank you for the gift and for your friendship."
39. "This was perfect. Thank you so much."
40. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

If you're late with your thank you notes

Send them anyway. Start with "I'm sorry this note is late, but I wanted you to know how much I love..." and then follow the formula. Batch them: five notes a night clears most holiday lists in a week.

Keep track of who gave what

The hardest part of thank you notes is remembering who gave what. Keep a notepad near the tree and write each gift and giver down as presents are opened. Our Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a Christmas card list and notes pages, so you can track cards and gifts received, then check names off as each thank you goes in the mail. It also covers your holiday budget, gift list, stocking stuffers and holiday calendar.

Plan the whole holiday

The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99, $25.94 if bought separately) pairs the Christmas planner with the Meal Planner & Grocery List, Sinking Funds Tracker, 100 Envelope Savings Challenge, Bill Tracker and Cleaning Schedule. Browse all our holiday planners, or start with the free Holiday Budget Starter Kit, three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.

See also

• Christmas card messages
• When to send Christmas cards and card etiquette
• Christmas card list
• What to do with unwanted gifts and gift cards
• Christmas gifts for coworkers

Thanking a care team? Pair your note with one of these gifts for nurses, like a snack basket for the break room.