Kelly Browne - 101 Ways to Say Thank You: Notes of Gratitude for Every Occasion

101 Ways to Say Thank You

Notes of Gratitude for Every Occasion

Kelly Browne

B ROWNES INCLUSIVE GUIDELINES WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO PICK UP YOUR PEN AND EXPRESS YOURSELF IN WAYS THAT MESSAGES DELIVERED VIA TELEPHONE OR EMAIL SIMPLY CANT CONVEY.

Dorothea Johnson, author, etiquette expert, and founder of The Protocol School of Washington

W HEN SAYING THANKS, THE FIRST STEP IS TO GET THE PERSONS NAME ABSOLUTELY PERFECT . M R. OR D R.? M RS. , M S. , M ISS, OR M X.? A UNIQUE SPELLING OF THE NAME? W HEN WE ARE CORRECTLY ADDRESSED, WE FEEL RECOGNIZED. K ELLY BROWNES BOOK WILL GUIDE YOU TO PERFECT EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDEAND HAPPY RECIPIENTS.

Robert Hickey, author of Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, & Forms of Address

101 W AYS TO S AY T HANK Y OU PROVIDES THE TOOLS EVERYONE MUST KNOW TO ELEVATE THEIR PERSONAL EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE, WHERE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF KINDNESS, COMPASSION, AND RESPECT ARE KEY. K ELLY MAKES IT EASIER THAN EVER TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO BUILDAND KEEPRELATIONSHIPS.

Pamela Eyring, president and owner of The Protocol School of Washington

101 W AYS TO S AY T HANK Y OU TRANSFORMS THE CLASSIC THANK-YOU NOTE TO A LEVEL OF UNPARALLELED CLASS AND PERSONAL STYLE. H ARNESS THE POWER OF GRATITUDE IN YOUR LIFE BY WRITING THE ULTIMATE THANK-YOUITS THE SECRET WEAPON TO YOUR SUCCESS!

Debra Lassiter and April McLean, The Etiquette Girls, of Perfectly Polished: The Etiquette School and the Etiquette & Leadership Institute

DEDICATION

For my mother and father, Peggy and Richard Learman

Whose gracious hearts have illuminated the world and changed lives in ways only the stars can see.

With all my love, always

M y deepest gratitude to everyone who has embraced this book for so many years. Linda Konner, thank you! You made all of this possible, many times over, and I am so grateful to you always. To the entire team at Adams Media, especially Cate Prato, Leah DSa, Sylvia McArdle, Priscilla Yuen, and Laura DalyI am honored; thank you so much! This has been an incredible journey for me, and I am so utterly grateful to you all for helping me send love, compassion, and appreciation into the world.

Everyone at Crane & Co.thank you for your continued endorsement! Dorothea Johnson, I am forever grateful to you for always supporting me. I appreciate and adore you. Robert Hickey, your guidance on proper forms of honor and respect is an outstanding model of kindness for all of usthank you for immediately stepping in to offer your valuable direction. Pamela Eyring, my deepest thanks to you and the entire Protocol School of Washington. I applaud your work in the global community to create cultures of civility. Debra Lassiter and April McLean of Perfectly Polished: The Etiquette Schoolyour work with our young adults has changed lives, spreading gratitude and goodwillthank you! Motion Picture & Television Fundto every single person who touched our lives and helped us through an excruciating time.

Thanks to all of my friends for their love, especially Sue Kovacs, Monica Salz, and Warren and Kimberly Wileman. My familyAric, Jack, Mick, Edward, William, and Gretchen Learman Burrier; and the Mullens, Kerrigan, Gardner, and Fish familiesmy love always.

My father, Richard LearmanI love you and thank you endlessly for all of your valuable notes and thoughtful revisions on this book! I could not have done this without you. Greta and Ava, my gorgeous little treasures, you are my whole life. And finally, to all the angels in heaven and on earth, especially my momwho appeared, listened, loved, and supported me when I needed it mostthank you from the bottom of my heart. XO

H ail the handwritten note! It has been around for hundreds of years, and we will not witness its demise simply because some of its everyday functions have been replaced by digital forms of connecting. Of course, its a given that email, texting, and telephones are most efficient for staying in touch and handling daily communications, but when it comes to a cut above, paper and pen rule.

In this updated edition, embracing the digital and diverse world we live in, Kelly Browne takes a modern, commonsense albeit elegant approach to note writing. Though highly practical, this books lively text makes it a joy to peruse. Ms. Brownes inclusive guidelines will encourage you to pick up your pen and express yourself in ways that messages delivered via telephone or email simply cant convey. If the people of the world become a little more thoughtful about showing gratitude by writing notes, it will be in no small measure thanks to the efforts of Kelly Browne.

Dorothea Johnson, author, etiquette expert, and founder of The Protocol School of Washington

H ow a note begins can have a huge impact on how the note is receivedand even have an impact on the entire relationship. When saying thanks, the first step is to get the persons name absolutely perfect. Mr. or Dr.? Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Mx.? A unique spelling of the name? When we are correctly addressed, we feel recognized. Getting the name right may sound obvious, but it is amazing how often such a simple thing is mangled. On a note of thanks, get the name wrong and the subsequent note is diminished. Get the name right, all is well, and your gratitude is amplified.

Robert Hickey, author of Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, & Forms of Address

T hese two little words may seem so simple, yet they are an incredibly powerful way to represent gratitude and love. They can convey heartfelt meaning and create a bit of magic by flooding the recipient with warm feelings. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude in your life is so importantcounting your blessings can help you remember to appreciate all that you have and will create abundance.

Are you saying thank you often enough? Remembering the thoughtfulness of our friends, loved ones, healthcare workers, or business associates with a formal note of thanks can benefit both parties when appreciation is given and received. We can feel the connection that one tiny sheet of paper can create, and it means the world to us to be acknowledged. A handwritten note on lovely paper is a classic option, but there are ways to offer your thanks online and make the sentiment just as meaningful and eloquent. Nothing stands out more or lets people know how much you appreciate their act of kindness than the classically personal thank-you note.

101 Ways to Say Thank You is here to help you learn how to share your appreciation through thoughtful correspondence. In this book, youll find my personal guide to the basics in Chapter 1: Thank-You Notes 101, as well as more than one hundred sample thank-you note templates and guidance for all occasions, including romance, dinners, birthdays, weddings, babies, business, career, sympathy, the holidays, and so much more. These sample notes can provide inspiration for your own personalized messages. Youll also find a variety of quick tips for sending notes, easy checklists, online registry ideas, and even digital stationery guidance to help you say thank you with style and grace. Also included is valuable information for modern times, such as using gender-neutral pronouns and hashtagging people or companies in online thank-yous.

Studies have proven that saying thank you actually creates a chain reaction of kindness that propels a cycle of gratitude that is carried forward. No wonder many spiritual traditions, philosophers, and great thinkers value gratitude to enhance our well-being for happier, healthier lives. Imagine the positive global effect we could each have if we made showing our appreciation a part of our daily practice. Gratitude truly is the unseen silver thread that connects us all. Whether you write, post, share, tweet, or livestream your gratitude, your positive comments have the ability to brighten someones day. Remember the magic words: