Watch more How to Write a Letter videos: www.howcast.com/videos/410659-How-to-Write-a-Sympathy-Card Yeah, it might be a little old-fashioned—but it's also the ultimate in class. Step 1: Decide length & paper size Figure out how long your thank you letter is going to be, and choose a paper size accordingly. You don't want to have to write REALLY BIG to take up the space. Tip A thank you letter should be on high-quality paper or note card stock. Step 2: Decide handwritten or typed Decide if your thank you letter will be handwritten or printed. A personal thank you letter should be handwritten, while one written for business purposes may be typed. Tip If you're addressing a formal note to a female, make sure you use her preferred title—Miss, Mrs., or Ms. Step 3: Start by thanking person Start by thanking the person—and then provide a specific example of why their gift or gesture is so appreciated. For example, "Thank you so much for the toothbrush, which I will certainly put to good use twice a day!" Tip If the gift was expensive, acknowledge it politely and let them know you're grateful. Step 4: Refer to past & future Refer to the past and the future. For example, you might say to a family friend, "You're so kind to always remember my birthday," and "I'm looking forward to seeing you over the holidays." Step 5: Close w/ personalized thanks Close with a final personalized thanks, such as, "Thanks again for such a cool gift; I know you went to a lot of trouble to get it." Step 6: Proofread note Proofread the note, or your next gift might just be a dictionary. Did You Know? According to a survey, 58% of moms say their children write thank you notes.