Write a thank-you letter
Christmas is a joyful time to spend with family and friends and – if you’re lucky – to open some lovely presents too. Most people put time, effort and money into finding great gifts, so it’s really nice to show your appreciation by writing a thank-you letter. In the days after Christmas and before you go back to school, sitting down to write thank-you letters may seem like a chore. Writing them can feel a bit awkward too, but you don’t want the receiver to get that impression. Here are some tips for making the process easier, and for making your letters fun to write and to read.
Don’t forget or put it off
When you’re opening your presents on Christmas Day, especially if you’re doing it with lots of other people, it can be easy to lose track of exactly who got you what gift. Make sure you keep any tags with their presents, or even jot down a list so you don’t forget. Don’t leave it too long to write your thank-you letters. It’s best to do it during the Christmas holidays, when you have more time. However, it is always better late than never when it comes to saying thank you!
State the obvious
The main thing you need to do in a thank-you letter is address the person who gave you the present directly.
If you usually address them with a nickname, use that. You’ll also need to include a mention of the specific gift they’ve given you. For example: “Dear Auntie Anne, thank you so much for the Pokémon puzzle that you got me for Christmas.” If you haven’t seen the person recently, it’s also a good idea to ask how they are and if they had a nice Christmas.
Say why you love it
To show your appreciation, even if it is not something you would have chosen yourself, you need to share something positive about it. This could be a reason, or several reasons, why you like it. For example, for a woolly scarf: “Blue is one of my favourite colours and I love how soft and warm it is”. Or it could be telling the person how you’ve enjoyed a gift. For example, for a book token or money: “I bought a brilliant book called Tyger, which I’m really enjoying. It’s about...”
Share some extra details
When someone buys you a present, it shows they care, so the person you’re writing to would probably love to hear more about what you’ve been up to. You don’t have to write an essay, just think of something fun to tell them or something you think they’d find interesting. Alternatively, you could include a picture you’ve drawn or even a poem. End your thank-you letter by saying thanks again, tell the person that you hope to see them soon, and sign off with your name.