What to Write in a Christmas Gift Thank-You Card

Write three or four short sentences: thank them for the specific gift, say how you are using it or why you love it, mention something about them or the season, and close warmly. For example: “Thank you so much for the ornament with our names on it. It went straight on the tree and the kids keep pointing it out. We loved seeing you at Christmas and hope the new year is a happy one.” That is all a good thank-you card needs.

A simple formula for a Christmas thank-you note

Greeting. “Dear Aunt Linda,” or simply “Hi Sam,”.
Name the gift. “Thank you for the cozy sweatshirt.” Naming it shows you noticed, and it is the line people remember.
Say how you are using it. “I have worn it every weekend since Christmas.”
A personal line. Something about them, the visit, or the year ahead.
Close. “With love,” “Warmly,” or “Thanks again,” and your name.

Etiquette trainer Jacquelyn Youst, writing for Lehigh Valley Press, recommends the same idea: keep it to a few gracious sentences, thank the giver, and say how you plan to use the gift.

Christmas gift thank-you card examples

For family

“Thank you for the pajama pants with my name on them. They are the softest thing I own and I have barely taken them off. It was so good to be home with you all.”
“Thank you for the family ornament. Seeing all our names together on the tree made me smile every morning this December.”

For grandparents

“Thank you for the book, Grandma. I read two chapters on Christmas night. I will tell you about the ending when we talk on Sunday.”
“Thank you both for the generous gift. We are putting it toward Emma’s swim lessons, and she is very excited.”

For a friend

“You know me too well. The goose sweatshirt made me laugh out loud. Thank you for always finding the perfect thing.”
“Thank you for the candle and the lovely card. Our tradition of swapping gifts is one of my favorite parts of the season.”

For a coworker or boss

“Thank you for the thoughtful gift. The mug is already on my desk. Wishing you a restful break and a great new year.”

For a teacher, from a parent

“Thank you for the sweet card and treats you sent home with Leo. He was so proud to bring them to us. We are grateful for everything you do.”

How to thank someone for money or a gift card

You do not need to mention the amount. Say thank you for their generosity and tell them what you plan to do with it: “Thank you for the generous gift card. I am saving it for a new pair of hiking boots for spring.” If you have not decided yet, “I am looking forward to choosing something special” is fine.

What if you did not love the gift?

Thank them for the thought and for remembering you, and focus on something true: the color, the effort, the fact that they thought of you. “Thank you for thinking of me this Christmas. It was so kind of you to send something all the way from Ohio.” There is no need to pretend you will use it every day.

How soon should you send a Christmas thank-you card?

Soon. Daniel Post Senning, co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette, quoted by AOL, gives a rule of thumb of between one day and two weeks after opening a gift, and calls a thank-you “an opportunity rather than an obligation”. A late note is still far better than none.

Do you need to send one if you thanked them in person?

Not strictly. Youst says a note is called for when you could not thank the giver in person, such as a gift that came by mail, and is not required in a two-way gift exchange. Many people still send one to grandparents and older relatives, who often treasure them.

Is a text or email OK?

Youst says email is acceptable if that is how you usually communicate with the person; otherwise a handwritten card is better. For children, a drawing with a signed name counts.

Quick answers

What do you write in a Christmas thank-you card? Name the gift, say how you use it, add a personal line, close warmly.
How long should it be? Three or four sentences is plenty.
How soon? Ideally within two weeks.
Thank-you note for money? Thank them for their generosity and say what you will use it for; skip the amount.

Writing the gift tag first? See what to write on a Christmas gift tag.