There’s something about the holidays that tends to turn us all into writers. With cleverly worded Christmas letters and thoughtful thank you notes to send after each festive event, it’s the perfect time of year to tell your loved ones how much you care.

When you find the time to sit down with your stationery and pen, you might be wondering where to begin. Don’t fret! We’re here to help. With over 100 years in the stationery business, we’ve written our fair share of thank you notes here at Crane. So pour yourself a cup of tea or cocoa, pull up a chair, and follow these tips for writing the perfect holiday thank you notes. We’ve even included a few samples to spark your inspiration.

The Basics

The best way to get started is to follow this simple formula. In each thank you note, you should include the following five things:

1. A Greeting

Open your note with a simple salutation. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with “Dear.” Since the tone is personal and informal, if you are writing to a friend or loved one, feel free to use nicknames.

2. Expression of Gratitude

While it is perfectly appropriate to write a standard thank you card, including details about the specific gift you received adds a personal touch and lets the giver know how much you appreciate their gesture.

3. Statement About the Future

Here is your chance to tell your friend or loved one how much you appreciate them and to let them know you can’t wait to see them again. To make your note even more special, mention something you discussed when you received the gift, or the last time you spoke.

4. Reiterate the Thank You

Close on a grateful note and reiterate your gratitude.

5. Regards

There are many ways to end your note; choose one that conveys warmth and is appropriate for your relationship.

Here are some fun examples of ways to sign off that go beyond “sincerely”:

• Love,
• Best wishes,
• Cheers,
• Warmly,
• Fondly,
• Beyond grateful,
• Blessings,
• Feeling spoiled,
• With gratitude,
• Love and thanks,

Need some more inspiration? Here are some holiday thank you note examples to fit a variety of situations.

Monetary Gifts

Gift Card

Dear ____,

Thank you for the generous gift card to [store]. I am so excited to refresh my ski gear before my next trip to Vail. I have a feeling that this season is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to hear about your visit to Spain. Let’s plan to grab a coffee when you get back.

Thanks again. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness and am happy to have you as an aunt.

Love,

Money or Check

Dear ____,

I just used the Christmas gift you sent toward a new pair of boots and I have got to tell you, my feet look fabulous! I’m so excited to wear them. Thanks so much for your generosity. I’m touched beyond words.

I loved looking at pictures of your precious grandkids and cannot wait to see you this Easter. Thanks so much for your generous gift and, of course, your delicious Christmas cookies.

Feeling spoiled,

Gift from a Close Friend

Dear ____,

I cannot thank you enough for the adorable cocktail glasses. They look perfect on my bar cart. You know me so well! I am sipping on a martini as I write this. I can’t wait to have you over for a cocktail sometime soon so we can put them to good use.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift and priceless friendship. I am so happy to have you in my life.

Cheers,

Gift from a Distant Relative or Acquaintance

Dear ____,

Thank you so much for the lovely mug and chocolates. The mug will make my days at the office just a bit brighter. How did you know that I had such an insatiable sweet tooth? I can tell that you are such a thoughtful and giving person, and I really enjoyed our conversation over dinner.

Thank you again for your sweet gift. You’ve made my day.

Sincerely,

Office Secret Santa

Dear ____,

I am so lucky to have you as my Secret Santa! I adore candles and can never have too many of them. The scent you chose made my house smell absolutely delightful. Thanks so much for your thoughtful gift and for being such a joy to be around in the office. You always brighten my Mondays.

Thanks again, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday back home in Wisconsin.

Warmly,

Gift from a Colleague or Business Acquaintance

Dear ____,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful holiday gift. My team and I have been enjoying the beautiful holiday treats all week. It’s always a pleasure doing business with you.

Thank you for thinking of me during the holidays. I hope you have a happy and prosperous new year!

Sincerely,

Dinner Party

Dear ____,

What a spectacular party. You really are an incredible host! Thank you for letting us be part of it all. We had a lovely time. My husband and I cannot stop talking about that chocolate cake – we’d love to get the recipe from you next time we see you.

Thanks again for the evening filled with laughter, conversation, and delightful food; I am still smiling just thinking about it.

Love and thanks,

When to Send your Note

The best time to send your note is a few days after receiving your gift or attending a party, but it is never too late to show your gratitude. If a week or two has passed, your recipient will still be delighted to read your kind words.

No matter what the occasion or gift, a handwritten thank you note is the best way to share your gratitude with the ones you love and make a wonderful impression.

The post How to Write the Perfect Post-Christmas Thank You Card appeared first on Crane Post Script.

TIPS FOR HOSTING A WONDERFUL FRIENDSGIVING

• Consider what kind of gathering you want to have. Would an intimate evening of conversation be more your speed, or an evening of lively music, bustling guests, and large dinner portions be more appropriate? This will set the mood for the evening and invitations you share. Don’t forget to consider the size of your space.
• Create your guest list. Think of all the amazing friends in your life that you’re thankful for, then stick to either your dearest companions for a small dinner or a “more-the-merrier” approach for a lively feast. Don’t forget to consider new friends or friends who won’t be able to travel back home to their family’s Thanksgiving meal, as they will greatly appreciate a Friendsgiving invitation.
• Create the menu. Keeping in mind any dietary restrictions and preferences that your friends may have, creating the menu is where you can truly put a personal touch on your Friendsgiving event. This is the perfect time to share your family traditions with friends who may not have experienced them before or bring out a recipe for a new dish you’re dying to try. The menu should be balanced across all food groups. A wide selection will make sure that all your friends will be able to completely fill their plates.

• Send out invitations. Notifying your friends of the event in advance is always a good idea and the best way to make your event truly feel special and warm is through a physical invitation. Make sure to include an RSVP date and the list of dishes and drinks needed so that guests can RSVP with their preferred choice. You’ll likely have to contact some of the guests to tell them their preferred dish has already been claimed, but that will also encourage your friends to RSVP early!
• Deliver instructions for dishes guests should bring. Friendsgiving is all about friends coming together, and thus the tradition dictates that each friend should bring a dish to the event, potluck-style. As turkey (or an alternative main dish depending on preference) is typically the most work, the host should be responsible for cooking it. Beyond the turkey and gravy, ask your confirmed friends to bring a variety of side dishes, appetizers, and desserts.
• Gather supplies and prepare. Consider the items that you may need extras of: plates, side plates, napkins, silverware, cups, and even items like paper towels. Try to stay away from cheap-looking paper or plastic plates and go with higher quality options, like silverware if you have enough. This can elevate a gathering from a casual meal to an exquisite event.
• Don’t forget extra drinks (and ice). While most of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages should be covered from the menu, it never hurts to have extra on-hand just in case. Don’t wait until the last minute to request someone pick up a bag of ice on the way to the dinner! Prepping one fancy cocktail for everyone is a fantastic way to welcome them in.
• Start setting up in the morning. You will be busy in the kitchen all day, so before that happens, set the table with care. By doing so, you will be able to identify if there are any items missing that you may need your friends to bring last minute!

• Keep the decorations simple and elegant. Friendsgiving is all about spending time with people you are grateful for and those people will feel the same way. Don’t stress over the decorations; choose simple, subdued colors for all napkins and plates, only add a few small decorative items to the dinner table, and use votive candles in the surrounding area to make the setting feel warm and calm. For an extra personal touch, table place cards are ideal way to take the guesswork out of where everyone will sit at the table while also adding a touch of elegance.
• Find a unique way for people to share what they are grateful for. Going around the table and asking everyone to say what they are thankful for is a classic tradition, putting a fun twist on this can make it more fun and heartwarming. One option is to have everyone anonymously write down what they are thankful for on a notecard and put it into a bowl. The host can then pull these notes out one by one and have everyone guess who wrote it. Another option is to create a keepsake to remember the event by. You can pick out an item, like a decorative pumpkin or a large printed group photo, on which everyone can write what they are thankful for.
• Include Friendsgiving games. Adding games to the event is an easy way to make sure your guests are entertained throughout the day. Simple games and activities work best, as your friends will likely want to spend time chatting and catching up and may be too distracted to focus on a complex game.

• Thank you cards. Within the week after your Friendsgiving, send out thank you cards to all your attendees to show them exactly how much it meant to you for them to spend a fun day together. They’ll certainly appreciate the thought you put into the event up until this final touch.

By now, you’ve made it. Friendsgiving was a success! Next on your schedule is your holiday party! Find out how to choose a holiday party theme with these tips from Crane.

The post Tips for Hosting a Wonderful Friendsgiving appeared first on Crane Post Script.

First things first, gather your supplies. We love using craft paper, markers, crayons, stickers and extra large envelopes.

Also, don’t forget a sweet little snack to get the creative juices flowing.

Next, get creative! Handwritten letters are a gift, and so it’s okay to get creative with your words and the paper you put them on. Letters from the heart, made by hand are a timeless treasure!

Finally, get writing. Letters can be long or short. Sometimes we ask questions that we hope will prompt a letter in return and other times we just send a quick note to say…

Last but not least, we like to package these notes up in an extra large envelope. A great fun way to add interest to the recipients mailbox. The bigger, the better!

Passing on the tradition of sending sentiments through the Post isn’t just a great way to make a loved one’s day, it’s also a fantastic habit to instill in our children for a lifetime of confidence through the handwritten word!

Let the showering of handwritten notes begin!

The post DIY Valentines With Kids appeared first on Crane Post Script.

April showers bring May flowers…

and with all of the rain we’ve had out wet, I mean West, this year…  I’m looking forward to more than just a bouquet come May.

That said, we’ve found a fun way to pass the time inside by showering our loved ones with handmade treasures in the mail.

After all, who doesn’t love a letter in their mailbox?

First things first, gather your supplies. We love using craft paper, markers, crayons, stickers and extra large envelopes.

Oh and don’t forget a sweet little snack to get the creative juices flowing. Like these lemon cookies. Darling.

Next, get creative! Handwritten letters are a gift, and so it’s okay to get creative with your words and the paper you put them on. Letters from the heart, made by hand are a timeless treasure!

Finally, get writing. Letters can be long or short. Sometimes we ask questions that we hope will prompt a letter in return and other times we just send a quick note to say…

Last but not least, we like to package these notes up in an extra large envelope. A great fun way to add interest to the recipients mailbox. The bigger, the better!

Passing on the tradition of sending sentiments through the Post isn’t just a great way to make a loved one’s day, it’s also a fantastic habit to instill in our children for a lifetime of confidence through the handwritten word!

So get out your umbrellas friends. Let the showering of handwritten notes begin!

The post Rainy Day Writing Activities Your Kids Will Love appeared first on Crane Post Script.