Thank You Notes: A Trend That Never Goes Out of Style

Saying "thank you" is a trend that never goes out of style. After your baby or wedding shower, birthday party or other event, you naturally want to thank your guests for their generosity and for being a part of your celebration. You also want your token of thanks to stand out and reflect your personal style. That's why finding the most appropriate thank you cards is so important. But first, let's discuss the basics:

Reasons thank you cards continue to be an enduring trend:

• Renewed interest in tradition and nurturing relationships;
• Refocus on manners and etiquette;
• Increase in in-home entertaining

One member of the Hallmark Idea Exchange notes, "Nothing is more irritating than sending a gift and not receiving an acknowledgement." Likewise, Tom Farley, editor of Town & Country Modern Manners: The Thinking Person's Guide to Social Graces observes that people use today's informal culture as an excuse to avoid something they simply don't want to take time to do. Farley adds, "But there are certain niceties worth holding on to."

According to Hallmark research, 30 percent of consumers say they are writing more letters and thank you notes. In addition, the personal, hand-written note is increasingly being valued in the workplace. The message conveyed is that someone cared enough to take the time to sit down and think about you, and write you a note.

Tom Peters, well-known authority on what works in business, has written that Americans "wildly underestimate the power of the tiniest personal touch." He added that a handwritten "nice job" has such a great impact because it is tangible.

Simply put, people remember a carefully written, thoughtful thank you note long after they have forgotten what they gave you or did for you--and they also remember when they didn't get a thank-you.

Thank You Cards Transcend Time