Words Of Gratitude

Lorna Cowan puts pen to paper to share the joy of writing and receiving thank-you letters.

THERE’S nothing quite like receiving a thank-you note, and no-one should ever underestimate the power of a handwritten message of thanks.

It can really strengthen a relationship or friendship and become an item to treasure – sometimes for a lifetime.

Gratitude can be conveniently and easily expressed today via a quick phone call, text or e-mail, but make a little more effort, put pen to paper, and that letter can have a tremendous impact.

Historians believe thank-you notes have been around since early Egyptian times, when good luck messages were written on slips of papyrus.

Ancient Chinese civilisations are also thought to have exchanged cards containing messages of fortune and goodwill.

However, it wasn’t until the 15th century that writing thank-you letters became popular, and was considered the polite and proper thing to do in affluent societies throughout Europe.

Then, in the 1850s, a man called Louis Prang decided to relocate to America from Germany and took with him the etiquette of sending greetings cards.

A tradition that was instilled into many of us as children, especially after a birthday and Christmas, the art of letter writing is not a skill people easily forget.

So why not reach for your address book, find some stationery and a postage stamp and say “thank you” to someone special?

It’s a gratifying gesture that will undoubtedly be cherished.

And you’ll be in good company . . .