The Art of Thank-You Texts

By Janet Peterson

The tradition of handwritten thank-you notes has probably gone the same path as the tradition of handwritten letters—almost into oblivion. I still receive thank-you notes from a few newlywed couples and often receive ones from a friend who has perfected that art. Another friend types them on his computer and prints them on lovely notecards to mail. 

However, the Internet, email, and texting have taken over as the most common means of nonverbal communication. After all, who handwrites much anymore, except maybe to scrawl grocery lists and sign checks?

I still believe that certain occasions deserve thank-you expressions that are penned or typed and mailed. The receipt of gifts, meals brought into a home, flowers sent for a funeral, and major acts of service should prompt the receiver to spend a few minutes and the price of a stamp to thank the giver or givers.

Lately, I have been introduced to the art of the “thank-you text.” There are many occasions that one simply wouldn’t think of as deserving a mailed thank-you note. Yet sending a thank-you text recognizes an effort, small or large, and more importantly, not only makes the receiver feel good but also strengthens the bond between both sender and receiver. My daughter is especially good at this. She will send her father or me a text saying, “Thank you for coming to Adam’s basketball game. It means a lot to have his grandparents there watching him,” or “Thanks for being a great example to my kids,” or “Thanks for bringing that yummy ice cream dessert to dinner on Sunday.” It only takes a minute or two, especially if she uses the microphone on her smartphone, to compose a text. And I always appreciate her short messages.

I received a text from a daughter-in-law this week: “We made it home. Thanks again for the fun past few days! It was great to spend time with you guys.” A friend texted after we had had lunch together that she especially appreciated our years of friendship.

I have tried to take a cue from these texters and send thank you expressions to people not only for what they do but who they are. I texted one female friend, “Thanks for letting us know that it’s not quite so serious. You are truly a Good Samaritan in watching over the sick and the afflicted.”  I’ve also sent thank-you texts to a woman who brings cookies, fresh peaches, or jam along with her monthly visit. I frequently send texts to various grandchildren thanking them for the good efforts they are making in their lives.

While receiving a formal thank-you note might be preferred, the truth is most of us simply will not get around to writing very many such notes.  Some might think that thank-you texts are a sign of laziness. Yet a sincere thank you by text is much preferable to none at all and the immediacy of a text is a great benefit. 

If you have almost any kind of phone, you can text. All you need is a person’s phone number (not landline, though) and your fingers (or your voice, since many smart phones have a voice texting option). If you haven’t yet learned to text, you can. It’s really easy to master. Then you can send “thank-you texts” and brighten someone’s life.