Thank you notes are a great way to let someone know you’re thankful for them. Whether they were there for you in a time of need or they helped you grow as a person, don’t underestimate the power of a thank you note or email.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Ending a Thank You Letter Etiquette
- How to End a Personal Thank You Letter
- How to End a Professional Thank You Letter
- How to End a Formal Thank You Letter
- How to End a Thank You Letter to a Teacher or Mentor
- How to End a Thank You Letter for a Scholarship or Award
- How to End a Thank You Letter or Note for a Gift
However, it’s not always easy to find the right words when saying the big ‘thank you.’ How do you sum up what someone’s actions mean in just a few words? More importantly, how do you end a thank you letter or email without your message falling flat?
It turns out the answer to this question depends on the type of thank you note or email. A thank you letter to a teacher will read a lot differently than a thank you letter to your best friend.
You’ll need to consider the individual, the meaning behind the letter, and the overall etiquette or thank you letters. Luckily, this guide explains not only how to end a thank you letter or email but also the best examples so you can hit the ground running.
Ending a Thank You Letter Etiquette
While letter-writing has mostly gone out of style in the digital age, you’ll still see thank you letters thriving. A thank you letter is a letter of thanks written to someone who has gone out of their way to help. This could be to a friend, teacher, professional colleague, or loved one.
Thank you letters aren’t just used for birthday and wedding gifts, though this is what most people are familiar with. Once you understand a few things about thank you letter etiquette, you’ll be better equipped to write effective, thoughtful letters or emails to those in your life who have gone above the call of duty.
How do you end a thank you letter? It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be thoughtful. Keep these things in mind.
What’s the structure of a thank you letter?
Thank you notes follow the same general structure. The better you understand this structure, the easier it is to prepare a thank you message that really hits the mark. These letters follow this basic structure:
- Greeting: Like all messages, you start with a greeting. A professional thank you letter uses a professional greeting, whereas a letter to a friend or family member might be casual. This is where you write “Dear X,” “Thanks,” or your initial greeting.
- Message: The body of your message is the actual thank you. This is where you express what their actions mean to you.
- Closing: Finally, you want to reaffirm your thanks and let them know who the letter is from with the right thank you letter ending.
This basic structure is consistent for all types of thank you letters, no matter who the recipient is. The tone or style might change depending on whether it’s a formal or casual letter, but you’ll want to still pay close attention to each section.
Can you write a thank you text message or email instead?
In the digital age, you no longer have to use a physical thank you letter. You can write a text message or email instead, but it’s important to remember the context.
If you’re thanking someone for a physical gift or for going out of their way to help, it’s a smart idea to write a letter by hand. It’s always better to write a thank you text or email than to write nothing at all. It’s important to thank those in your life who help you in your time of need.
Understanding tone and setting
The final component of thank you note etiquette is understanding the tone and setting. This will depend entirely on who you’re speaking to with your letter and your relationship with this person.
You should keep the tone and setting professional if you’re speaking to a:
- Coworker
- Boss
- Teacher
- Interviewer
- Acquaintance
- Business
On the other hand, keep it more casual if you’re addressing a:
- Friend
- Family member
- Someone you know well in a professional setting
When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Staying professional or neutral in your thank you note ending is the best way to avoid any issues if you’re not sure about your relationship.
How to End a Personal Thank You Letter
Personal thank you letters are less casual. You know this individual on a close level, and you should speak to them openly. When you end your thank you letter, use any of these ideas below.
1. Thanks for everything
Repeating your “thank you” is always a good idea. This reminds them of the purpose of your thank you note, and it’s also a thoughtful gesture. It’s casual enough to work for just about any situation.
2. Love always
If you’re addressing your thank you to a friend or family member, it’s important to let them know how you feel about them. Saying you love them is a powerful statement.
3. Sincerely
“Sincerely” is a classic sign-off that’s appropriate for both personal and professional thank you letters. It’s a kind way to let them know that you meant every word of your letter.
4. All the best wishes
Ending your letter with “best” or “all the best wishes” the recipient good luck. It’s less formal than other alternatives, but it’s still a very polite way to end your thank you letter.
5. Talk to you soon
This is a great sign-off for an email or text thank you message. If you’re close to the recipient, let them know that you plan to speak to them soon or talk more later.
6. Your friend
If you’re writing to your friend, this is a great ending message to use. It might state the obvious, but it’s still nice to see it in writing.
7. XOXO
If you know the recipient really well, you might want to use this symbol for hugs and kisses. This is best for someone you’re really close to, like a child, spouse, or family member.
8. Cheers
“Cheers” is the least formal of endings for a thank you letter, but it’s still lighthearted and fun. It expresses best wishes for the reader, but you’ll want to tread carefully. The word “cheers” is mainly used in relation to drinking, so make sure this is someone you know really well.
How to End a Professional Thank You Letter
There are a lot of professional things you say instead of thank you at the end of your letter. These professional sign-off messages are perfect if you’re writing a work or school-related message, or if you’re addressing your words to someone you don’t know as well.
9. Thank you
The easiest go-to is a simple “thank you.” While you’ve likely mentioned this in your message already, it’s okay to repeat it once more at the end.
10. Best regards
“Best regards" literally means you’re thinking of the recipient with the best feelings and intentions. It’s a bit more formal than a simple “best,” but it still has a similar meaning behind it.
11. Take care
“Take care” is a bit less formal, but it’s still appropriate for most situations. This wishes no harm to come to the reader, but it also implies you’re not super close. It’s a good compromise when writing a thank you letter to an acquaintance.
12. Many thanks
“Many thanks” is a variation of the traditional “thank you” message. It switches things up so your letter won’t read as too repetitive.
13. With appreciation
This ending is a great message if someone has gone out of their way to help. “With appreciation” implies that you recognize someone for their help, and you also see the work they do.
How to End a Formal Thank You Letter
In some cases, a traditional ending might not feel like enough. If you’re writing a professional or formal thank you letter, like to a colleague, boss, or institution, you can use one of these formal closures below.
14. With gratitude
First, this simple message lets your recipient know you’re thankful for their time. It’s important to always lead with gratitude, especially when reaching out to someone in a professional, formal setting.
15. Thank you for the consideration
If you’re being considered for a position of any kind, this is the perfect sign off. Even if you aren’t the right fit for the position, it still shows you’re a professional worth taking seriously.
16. Thank you for your concern
For anyone who reaches out with concern and kindness when you need it most, drive this point home. Taking the time to be there for someone, no matter how big or small, is an act of selflessness. Concern comes in all different shapes and sizes. All types are appreciated.
17. Your help is greatly appreciated
Did someone help you in a professional setting? Let them know you recognize their hard work. Everyone wants to be noticed and appreciated. Sharing with your recipient these kind words shows how much you value them.
18. With sincere thanks
Finally, wish someone the most sincere thanks with this way to end a formal thank you letter. There are no limits to the amount of times you can say thank you. Always end your thank you note with a final farewell.
How to End a Thank You Letter to a Teacher or Mentor
Writing a thank you letter to a teacher or mentor lets them know how much they meant to you. When a professional goes out of his or her way to be there for students, it shows their commitment to education and learning. Here’s how to end a thank you letter to a teacher or mentor you trust.
19. Deepest thanks
Sometimes a generic thank you doesn’t seem like enough. Sending your deepest thanks adds another level of meaning to show how much you truly care. There are no limits to the depths of your gratitude.
20. Warmly
This is a simple thank you letter sign-off that still carries a lot of gratitude. When you say “warmly,” you let your teacher or mentor know you think of them fondly and you’ll never forget what they’ve done to help you.
21. I appreciate your help
Don’t be afraid to end your thank you letter to a teacher with yet another thank you. If he or she was there to help during a difficult time, this is something to be thankful for. A helping hand is worth so much in a time of need.
22. All the best
Wishing your recipient all the best is a powerful way to sign off your thank you letter. If this marks the end of your professional relationship, this phrase lets them know you’ll be wishing them the absolute best in the future.
23. With thanks and appreciation
Finally, end your thank you letter with even more thanks and appreciation. It’s not always enough to say “thank you” on its own. Sometimes you need to share your real appreciation, and that takes repetition, action, and words.
How to End a Thank You Letter for a Scholarship or Award
Have you received a scholarship or award? This is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud of what you’ve achieved. That being said, it’s still important to say “thank you” to your award committee and those who helped you along the way. You didn’t get here alone, so use one of these sign-off messages below.
24. Respectfully
To start, “respectfully” is a one-size-fits-all sign-off message that’s always the right fit. Perfect for someone you don’t know very well, this lets them know you respect their position and their work.
25. Looking forward to hearing from you
If you expect a response, don’t be afraid to end your thank you letter with this short message. By letting them know you’re waiting for a reply, they’ll know not to ignore this email or thank you letter.
26. Thank you for this opportunity
An award or scholarship is an opportunity to better yourself. Aside from making it clear how you plan to use this opportunity to your advantage, let them know you’re eternally grateful.
27. Cordially
Another short and sweet way to end a thank you letter is “cordially.” In other words, this is a way to leave a pleasant, grateful signoff that isn’t too wordy. Best for emails or short notes, this is a useful one to hold onto.
28. Thanks again
For messages that are less formal, end with “thanks again.” Though less professional than some of the other ideas above, this is ideal if you’re thanking someone you know well or who helped you get to where you are today.
How to End a Thank You Letter or Note for a Gift
Last but not least, you should always send a thank you letter or note for a gift. When someone takes the time to send a gift or give their time, this is an act of kindness. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and seen. Let them know how much you value them and their thoughtfulness with one of these thank you letter endings below.
29. Thanks for your support
Of course, if someone supports you (financially, spiritually, or physically), acknowledge what that means to you. Support comes in all shapes and sizes, and it can make all the difference.
30. Thank you for so much help
This informal message sums up the heart of what you have to say. There’s a power to knowing how to say “thank you” with grace, dignity, and compassion.
31. Thanks for thinking of me
If someone thought of you in your time of need or just because, let them know you’re thinking of them. When we honor those who value us, we strengthen the bonds between our communities.
32. Sending hugs your way
Even if you can’t be there in person, you can still send hugs virtually or through the mail. Perfect for a thank you sent through email or social media, let your recipient know you’d like to embrace them.
33. You’re too generous
While there might not actually be a thing as too much generosity, this is still a kind gesture. Some people aren’t afraid to go above and beyond for those they love and care about. Make sure they understand just how much these efforts mean to you.
34. Take this small token of gratitude
In some cases, you return your thank you note with a gift of your own. No matter how small, this is a token of your thoughtfulness and gratitude. If you’re sending a small gift with your thank you note, use this type of sign-off so they know the meaning behind it.
35. I’ll be in touch soon
Finally, if you’re planning to follow up soon with a call, text, or visit, let your recipient know they’ll be hearing from you. This is more of a “see you later” than a “goodbye,” and it can bring a smile to someone’s face.
End Your Thank You Message Confidently
Whether you’re writing a thank you letter to a mentor or a loved one, make sure your words are loud and clear. Your sign-off is just as essential as the rest of your message. It’s important to take the time to say thanks to those who go out of their way to help. If someone is there for you when you need them most, whether it’s professionally or in your personal life, let them know you care.
Words can be used for good. How do you make sure your words are helping the people in your life feel recognized? We all want our good deeds to go noticed, so do your part with these thank you note ideas above.