GUIDELINES
- Write your appreciation letter brief and genuine. This letter is not the right time to talk about a regrettable event.
- Tell the reader that you are thankful for the sympathy that he or she showed.
- If necessary, discuss how his expression was helpful for you.
- End with a statement of your gratitude or expectation for a future relationship.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
I was touched to receive the letter from your staff upon the death of my father. Craig and I were always grateful for the care and attention that they continued to give him during those last weeks. Father enjoyed his time at the York Nursing home and made many friends amongst the staff and other residents. We know just how much he appreciated the warmth that was given to him and we thank you for that care and the kind words as well.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Thank you letter to someone for her expression of sympathy.
Further things to consider when writing thank you letters to acquaintances
Thank You Letters
Thank-you letters are letters written to politely acknowledge a gift, service, compliment or an offer. Simply put, these are letters you write to express your gratitude and appreciation for someone's thoughtful actions. You can send a thank-you letter after personal events, an interview, networking events, after receiving a gift or donation, etc. A thank-you letter is always special in that it lets the recipient know that what he/she did was greatly valued and appreciated. The letter should be sent promptly and when the events are still fresh so that it can be more meaningful.
Thank-you letters should be warm, personal, and sincere. Begin with the two magical words "Thank you," and address the recipient in a way that feels most natural. Be clear about what you are thanking the person for. Let the recipient know why his/her specific gift or actions are cherished and why they are important to you. Inquire after the recipient's well-being and share some information about your life. Let him/her know that you are thinking about him/her and mention the next time you may want to meet. To wrap things up, thank the recipient again and let him/her know that you value his/her friendship.
Letters to Acquaintances
Letters to acquaintances are letters you write to people that you know slightly, but who are not close friends. An acquaintance could be a colleague at work but whom you do not interact with on a regular basis, a person you went to school with but know little about him/her, or your Facebook contacts whom you interact with on a minor level. You could write a letter to this person to ask for a favor, invite him/her to a social event, or just pass some information. Although most people would opt for a social media message or text, a well-drafted letter will make the recipient see the seriousness of the matter and feel obliged to return the favor.
The best letters to acquaintances are warm, sweet, and friendly. Begin the letter with a proper salutation, based on your relationship with the recipient. State the purpose of the letter and be clear about what you want from the recipient. If you are asking him/her to do something for you, for instance, mention why you think he/she is the best person to get it done. Make the letter short and only provide the necessary details. Conclude on a positive note.