Okay, so I needed to write a thank you note for an invitation. I’ve always kinda sucked at these, either making them too short or too formal. So, I decided to actually put some effort into it this time.
Figuring Out the Basics
First, I grabbed a nice, plain notecard. I didn’t want anything too flashy. Just simple and clean. Then, I thought about the invitation itself. It was for a dinner party at my friend Sarah’s place. She’s a great cook, and her parties are always fun, so I was genuinely excited.
Drafting and Redrafting
I started by just jotting down some phrases, like, “Thanks for the invite!” and “Really looking forward to it!” But that felt…blah. So, I tried to be more specific. I wrote about how much I appreciate Sarah’s effort in hosting and how much I enjoy her cooking, I also write about how I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone.
- First attempt: “Thanks for inviting me! See you there!” (Too short, too generic.)
- Second attempt: “Dear Sarah, Thank you so much for the kind invitation to your dinner party. I am very much looking forward to attending.” (Better, but still a bit stiff.)
- Third attempt:I really appreciate you hosting,I am excited to taste your cooking,and I am looking forward to enjoy the time with everyone.(Getting warmer)
The Final Touches
I read through the third draft a few times, made a few tweaks, and then copied it neatly onto the notecard. I wanted it to sound like me, not like a robot. I also added a little closing, like “Warmly” instead of “Sincerely,” because it felt more personal.
Finally, I put the note in an envelope, addressed it, and made sure to actually mail it! It felt good to actually put some thought into it, and I think Sarah will appreciate the gesture.
