35 thank you card message ideas

Words can’t express your gratitude when someone gives you a considerate gift, valuable advice, or support when you need it most. Actually, that’s not exactly true—the right words can definitely let them know how grateful you are, especially when those words are within a thoughtful thank you card. 

Learn how to write a thank you card with our guide on what to include in your message, plus 35 examples of thank you notes. And if you’re looking for the right card to write your message of gratitude in, look no further—Paperless Post has hundreds of thank you cards perfect for any occasion.

What to write in a thank you card

Writing thank you cards can flummox even fluent wordsmiths, but don’t let stage fright stop you. The rule of thank you cards is simple: they need to be simple, sincere, and sent.

A simple note sent in a timely manner means a lot more than a work of genius that was never put to paper. Here’s what simple thank you notes should include:

• A greeting. Address close friends and family by a favorite pet name, if they have one, but stick with a more formal “Dear” for others.
• A thank you message. Thank them for the specific gift or service. If you’re writing about money, “your generosity” is a handy euphemism.
• What their gift brought to your life or cause. Be specific and effusive. Did those fuzzy socks keep you warm during the night? Did their financial donation enable ten additional students to go on a class trip? Let them know!
• A personal note. Even if it’s just to say that you enjoyed seeing or hearing from them and hope you’ll do it again soon, a personalized note goes a long way. When you email thank you cards with Paperless Post, you can add a personal note so each recipient gets a message from you in their inbox, just for them.
• Another thanks. There’s no such thing as being too thankful in thank you cards.
• A closing. “With love” or “With gratitude” never goes out of style, while “Sincerely” is a traditional choice that works for more formal acquaintances.

When should you write a thank you card?

According to traditional etiquette, you should send a thank you card one to two weeks after a gift-giving occasion. Most people enjoy receiving prompt thank you cards, and some may worry that their gift did not arrive—or wasn’t appreciated—if they don’t receive one.

But modern etiquette indicates that there are a few occasions when you don’t need to worry about sending a thank you card on time (or at all), including:

• When you’ve thanked someone in person
• When the gift giver tells you not to send thank you cards
• After a big life change, such as a new baby or divorce

If you’re not sure whether you should send a thank you card, it’s best to send one anyway—just in case. And if you want to make sure your thank you card has arrived, Paperless Post allows you to track whether the recipient has opened it.

Thank you note ideas for every occasion

Whether you’re expressing appreciation for a sweet birthday present, sending a thank you for a generous fundraising donation, or sharing a pleasant note following a job interview, we’ve compiled examples of thank you notes for every situation.

Birthday thank you card messages

Did your friends organize an impressive surprise party for you, or did they know just what to get you for your big day? Sending thank you card wishes goes a long way to show your close friends and family how much the party (and their thoughtful gifts) meant to you. And if you’re teaching kids to send thank you cards after their parties, check out our collection of fun kids’ thank you cards. 

1. Thank you so much for helping me celebrate the big 3-0. It was a night to remember, and it wouldn’t have been the same without you there. The perfume was so thoughtful, and I can’t wait to make it my new scent for this new decade. Thanks for being such a great friend!
2. Thank you for throwing me an amazing surprise party! I’m sure you could tell by the look on my face, but I was so surprised! I can’t believe you planned that entire party for me—I was so honored to be the birthday queen for the night. You are such a great friend for hosting, and I am truly grateful.
3. I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful birthday present. You know how much I love the color blue, and wearing that beautiful scarf will always make me think of you. Many thanks again!
4. Hi Grandma! Thank you so much for the squirt gun you gave me for my birthday. I love using it in the pool and on hot days. I love you and can’t wait to see you soon. Thank you again!
5. Thank you all for attending my birthday party! It was wonderful to see you and share a piece of cake with you. Thank you for contributing to my incredible gift—I can’t wait to spend my gift card at my favorite store. Thanks and love to you all!

Wedding thank you card messages

Even if they didn’t bring a gift but attended your wedding, a thank you is a great way to show gratitude to your guests. If they did send you a gift, use your thank you card wording to tell them how you’ll use their gift or why you were so excited to receive it.

1. Thank you so much for being part of our special day and helping us celebrate. Your gift was so generous and we can’t wait to put it toward must-haves for our new home. Thank you again!
2. Thank you so much for being part of our special day and helping us celebrate. We wanted to send our sincere thanks for your generous gift. We have been saving up for an area rug for our living room, and your gift will get us to our goal. We hope to have you over to see it in person soon!
3. Thank you so much for attending our wedding ceremony and reception. We wanted to show our gratitude for your generous gift. We’re looking forward to many meals at home, enjoying newlywed life, and can’t wait to use the kitchenware and tools you’ve gifted us. We are so grateful!
4. Our wedding weekend was truly perfect, and it’s all thanks to amazing people like you! We had so much fun dancing and singing the night away; we hope you did, too. Thank you so much for helping us celebrate. We look forward to recreating the fun again soon.
5.  We are deeply grateful for your generosity on our wedding day! We absolutely love the wine glasses and will think of you every time we use them. We loved spending time with you at our wedding. Thank you again for being there on our special day!

Fundraiser thank you card messages

You’ve hosted a successful fundraiser and met your goals. Now, it’s time to thank the donors involved! Write a few words of gratitude for those who gave their time and financial resources to a good cause. Make sure to personalize your note for each donor, and consider adding a Photo Gallery Block to include pictures of the event or their funds at work, for an extra sweet touch.

1.  Thank you for your donation to our recent fundraising event. Because of your generosity, thirty children can attend an after-school program at no cost. Thank you again for all the good you do in our community!
2.  Thank you for donating the gift basket and wine to our silent auction! We are so proud to partner with you year after year and appreciate your continued support for our organization. 
3.  Your contribution helped us reach 50% of our goal! We hope to break ground on our new playground in the spring, and thanks to donations like yours, we’ll be there in no time. Thank you again!
4.  Thank you for attending our annual golf tournament (and congratulations on your first-place finish!) We look forward to seeing you defend your title at next year’s event!
5.  Thank you for your generous sponsorship of the city’s holiday fundraiser. As always, it was a pleasure working with you and your team. We appreciate everything you do for our community!

Thank you card messages for teachers

Any teacher will tell you how much your words of appreciation mean to them. Whether it’s your kid’s teacher or an educator who impacted your life, sending them a note of thanks can make their whole day (or year).

1.  Thank you for all you’ve done for Shane this year. He has grown into a great reader and writer, and so much of that is because of your help. We are so grateful he was in your class this year!
2.  Thank you for tutoring Stefanie after school during these past few weeks! She understands how to write a paragraph now and is excited to attend school every day. Thank you again for all you do for our children!
3.  We’re so grateful for all you’ve done for Mitchell this year. He was so nervous about starting preschool, but it was only a matter of time before he felt safe and secure in your classroom. Thank you for the extra attention you’ve given him all year!
4.  Thank you for believing in me when I had a hard time believing in myself. Your comments about my poetry made me feel special and understood in elementary school. I wanted to send you a copy of my book along with my deepest thanks for your support in my education.
5.  I want to thank you for the incredible influence you’ve had on my life. I’m about to graduate from law school, and I still remember how you made me feel so important and valued in ninth grade. You’re a great teacher, and I think about what I learned in your class every day.

Baby shower thank you card messages

As new parents, you’re so grateful for family and friends throwing you a beautiful shower. Now you just have to express that gratitude with a baby shower thank you card message. Try getting them done before the baby arrives—life is about to get a lot busier after that!

1.  Words can’t begin to describe how grateful Jake and I are for you. You truly went above and beyond to throw us a baby shower, and it was the most perfect day. We are so honored to have someone so thoughtful in our lives, and we can’t wait for you to be part of our little one’s life, too.
2.  Thank you for coming to my baby shower and for the adorable dress set you gave us! I can’t wait to see little Maddy dressed up in it when she’s old enough, and I’ll be sure to send you a picture. It was so nice to see you, as always. Thank you again!
3.  Thank you so much for attending our baby shower. It was so lovely to see you and catch up. We are so grateful for the baby swing. It’s the perfect color for our nursery, and we can’t wait to put it to work once baby Nelson arrives. 
4.  Thank you for throwing us the best baby shower ever! It was such a lovely surprise, and I still can’t believe you kept it a secret for so long. George and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, and we can’t wait to start using the diaper cake you gifted us. We’re so grateful that you’re in our lives.
5.  On behalf of Baby Girl Meyers, thank you for your generosity at our baby shower. The stroller was exactly what we needed, and we will think of you whenever we go out for walks with our baby. Many thanks again!

Graduation thank you card messages

After you hang up the cap and gown, it’s time to thank loved ones for their support over the years—as well as any gifts you received at the graduation party. Write out your graduation thank you cards before embarking on the next step in your educational journey.

1.  Thank you for coming to my graduation party and for your generous gift. As I get ready to begin college, your support will help me buy books and supplies for my classes. Thank you again!
2.  I appreciate your support as I graduate from undergrad and prepare to begin my master’s program. The pen set you sent me looks wonderful next to my diploma, and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of your generosity.
3.  Thank you for thinking of me on my graduation day! You’ve helped me grow up and mature throughout the years, and receiving your card reminded me of your unending support, which helped me get where I am today.
4.  I remember all those evenings when you helped me with my math homework. Now, as I’m about to graduate with my degree in engineering, I want to thank you for your support in my math education.
5.  Thank you for coming to my 6th grade graduation! I loved seeing you at my party and opening your present. I plan to spend it on a new backpack for 7th grade. Thank you again, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Professional thank you card messages

You’ll find many occasions to send business thank you cards, including after a job interview, a successful presentation, or a shared project with another department. Use a professional tone in these thank you card messages, and express your gratitude for colleagues’ or clients’ time and generosity.

1.  Thank you for all your work on the spring campaign. Enclosed is a token of our appreciation for you and your team to enjoy a company lunch. Thank you again—it’s great working with colleagues like you.
2.  Your contributions to our department project made a huge difference in our presentation. Thank you for all you do for our team!
3.  Thank you for considering my candidacy for the HR job opening. I deeply appreciate your time and attention to my interview, and it was a pleasure to meet you and your team.
4.  We want to thank you for your loyalty over the years. Support from clients like you has helped us grow as an organization.
5.  Thank you for attending our professional development seminar. We know your time is valuable, and we are happy you chose to spend it with us. Thank you for your dedication and passion!

From invitations to thank you cards, Paperless Post can help

Personalized paper cards are a lovely way to show thanks. But etiquette experts agree: an emailed thank you note works just as well. A thoughtful note sent on a beautifully designed piece of online stationery? Even better. 

Paperless Post’s wide selection of online thank you cards makes it easy to send your thanks instantly, without a trip to the mailbox. And when it’s time to plan your next event, find the right Paperless Post invitation to let guests know where the party is.

Thoughtful thank you cards

Send a heartfelt message of gratitude with a beautiful thank you card you can send instantly.

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