The gift has been chosen. The card lies beside it, and suddenly a simple task becomes a difficult one: what do I write without it sounding like it’s been copied from a template?
I start with the occasion. What has the person done that I’d like to thank them for? A specific memory makes it easier to get started.
A sentence that only you can write
“Thank you very much for the excellent collaboration” is a friendly way to put it. If you add which particular moment was especially helpful to you, the other person will gain a better understanding. For example: “We’ve been working together for ten years now. I still remember your phone call just before I set up my own business very clearly. You were the first person to say: ‘Go for it.’”
You don’t need to write in a particularly poetic style or fill up a lot of space. Two sentences of your own are often enough. Read the text aloud. Would you say it that way too?
“You were the first person to say: ‘Go on, do it’”
The connection to the gift
Sometimes you can explain on the card why you chose that particular gift. This is particularly lovely when it stems from a conversation you’ve shared or an interest you’ve remembered.
A connection like this should be easy to explain. If you have to spend a long time explaining why an item has a particular meaning, I’d reconsider the idea.
Before you seal the card
Check the spelling of the name. Write legibly and leave a little space. If you’re giving gifts to several people, take a moment to write each card individually. The message can be short. It should be tailored to the person.
Diana Hoge