Receiving a gift of money is always a pleasant surprise, and it is important to show your appreciation. A well-written thank-you note or message can convey your gratitude and make the giver feel appreciated.
Believe me, it also makes you, the recipient look good! It speaks of your character and good manners! Respecting the gesture and acknowledging the effort goes a long way in someone’s eyes.
In my culture, it is customary to express gratitude for a gift by saying “Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift. It means a lot to me.” Additionally, it is common to follow up with a handwritten thank-you note expressing appreciation for the specific gift and the gesture of kindness. If someone sent you the gift in the mail, you can also follow-up with a phone call or text (it’s the polite thing to do).
If you feel uncomfortable writing a thank you gift for money, it’s not hard! Our little cheat sheet will have you writing lovely thank you’s in no time! For any unique situation, check out my very extensive FAQ for thanking someone for gifts of money.
Table of Contents
- Why it’s a good idea to thank someone for a gift of money
- The 4 Parts to a Successful Thank You for Gift of Money
- Timeline for Sending Out Thank You Notes
- Sample Thank You Messages for Monetary Gifts
- Specific Occasions for Monetary Gifts
- FAQs: Thanking Others for a Gift of Money
- Do you have to thank someone for a gift of money?
- Can I print out my personal thank you rather than writing it?
- Is it acceptable to combine my thank you note with other communication?
- Is a printed thank you to all guests appropriate?
- How to thank a gift of money that came from a group of people?
- When is it inappropriate to receive a gift of money?
- What if I am told how to spend the gift of money?
- Is it OK to thank someone for a gift of money with a text?
- Is their an online or digital way to thank someone for a gift of money that is considered appropirate?
- What are eco-friendly ways to thank someone for a gift of money?
Why it’s a good idea to thank someone for a gift of money
I was raised that it was good gift etiquette to thank someone who had given you any type of gift, including the gift of money. There is also a very practical reason to acknowledge a gift of money, did the recipient even receive it?
In the case that the gift of money is not directly handed to the recipient, it is unknown if the gift of money is lost. It gives peace of mind to the giver of the monetary gift to know that it is indeed truly in the hands of the intended recipient.
Take for example, wedding gifts. Often, there is as gift card box at weddings, along with a gift table. If you placed your money inside of a card, and taped it to the outside of a package, there is a chance that the envelope could have come off, and be separated from the gift. From all the weddings that I have been involved with, it is not uncommon to come up with some mystery gifts and lost envelopes. The same goes for gifts of graduation money or money sent in the mail (and lost by the post office!).
The 4 Parts to a Successful Thank You for Gift of Money
Oh, this is bringing back the memories of high school English class! There is nothing wrong with spelling out the step-by-step how to do this. Good ‘ol basic thank you etiquette can get tossed out the door in some school curiclums. That’s OK, the structure of a thank you gift for money is very basic and very easy!
FYI, often grandparents give gifts of money to grandkids (teens) because they get harder to buy gifts for. Learning how to write a thank you gift for money is a life skill. Thank you notes for birthday and holidays are not expected all the time.
For more epic birthdays, like a surprise birthday for a 50th, a thank you might be in order. An in-person thank you in the moment may be thank you enough. When there are times for a written thank you, refer to the basics below:
1. Start with a greeting
“Dear [First Name]” covers the broad spectrum of the opening of a thank you card or note. If you are accustomed to addressing relatives as “Aunt Bonnie” or “Uncle Stewart” than add that with the “Dear”. Even a simple “Hello or Hi [Name] can be a friendlier, more casual way to addres the giftee.
If you have a formal relationship with the person, than address them as “Dear Mr. Smith” “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Robinson” or “Dear Pastor Davis.”
TIP: Look at how the gift card was signed. If it was signed, “From the Maken Family” than address “Dear Maken Family”. If it was signed “George and Margaret, and cousins Tim and Ben” write “Dear George, Margaret, Tim, and Ben” or optionally choose the family name to cover everyone.
I can’t say enough about double-checking if their name is spelled correctly. If you’re not sure, a little trick I like to do is look them up on Facebook for the spelling of their name (straight from the source!). I’ve even called people up on the phone (thank you Aunt Irma!) to verify a name spelling. As small as a etiquette faux pax, subconciously, the person feels that you don’t care and they are not important.
2. Express gratitude of the monetary gift
Thanking for gifts can be very straightforward and simple:
- “Thank you for the gift of money.”
- “Thank you for the generous gift of money.”
- “Thank you for $20 gift of money.”
- “Thank you for the gift card to Kohl’s.”
- “Thank you for the gift certificate to Big Bob’s Restaurant.”
- “Thank you for the gift of stock in Google.”
- “Thank you for the gift of money given in Dad’s honor to Silver Creek Ambulance.”
See what I did there? Monetary gifts take many forms, including cash, gift cards, gift certificates, and gifts of stock. A gift is a gift and you should thank the gifter for it!
Use word variations that trully show your appreciation, “thank you,” “grateful,” and “appreciate”. For example, “I am so grateful for your generous gift. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Some people advise not to mention the amount of money. It’s your call. As stated earlier, it verifys to the sender the actual amount you received (especially if they gave cash). Some people will combine the opening thank you + event it’s for + what you plan to do with it.
I suggest not to do that. Why? Because you will run out of future sentences! A simple thank you note averages 3-4 sentences, short and to the point.
3. Mention specifics in your thank you note
Next, drop a line how you plan to use the money. For example, if you received money for your birthday, you could say something like, “Thank you for your generous gift. I plan to use the money to buy a new pair of shoes that I have had my eye on.”
It’s not necessary to say exactly what you will spend it on, but it sure helps filling the note up! You can choose to be more vaugue, such as “Thank you for the gift of money, it will go far to help with college expenses” or “Your contribution will help us start our new life together.”
If the gift came in the mail, you might want to mention that. “Dear Margaret, Thanks for the gift of money I received in the mail”.
4. Making the sign-off special
Just don’t sign off with “Thanks, again!”. Reach a little deeper for another thought to combine with it:
- “It really means a lot that you thought of me.”
- “It was great to have you at the party, I really appreciate that you made the effort to travel here.”
- “It was so fun to see you again! I was happy that you could spend this special day with me.”
- “I look forward to seeing you this summer at the family reunion.”
- “It means a lot to me that you were there to celebrate my achievement.”
Optional: refer to a shared experience or memory if it adds to the thank you note. “I can’t wait to follow in your footsteps of a nursing career!”
One word of caution, don’t reach for words that don’t sound like you. You want your words to be heartfelt and genuine. Most people can smell a canned letter a mile away. From the heart is always the way to go.
Signing your name. Lastly, all of the typical closings are acceptable “Kind Regards” “Blessings” “Sincerely” “All My Best” “With Gratitude” “Warmly” “With Love” or just sign your name with a dash. Choose the closing that you are most comfortable with.
Signing your name on behalf of a group. If you are signing the name on behalf of a group of people, such as family on a funeral thank you card you have a few options. “Thank you on behalf of the Peterson Family” “On behalf of the entire Peterson Family, thank you. -Mary Peterson” “The Peterson Family”.
Timeline for Sending Out Thank You Notes
The etiquette timeline for sending out a thank-you note can vary depending on the specific situation, but generally, it’s best to send a thank-you note within a few days to a week after receiving a gift – no longer than two weeks!
For major life events such as weddings or significant celebrations, thank-you notes are typically sent out within a few weeks to a month after the event. However, it’s important to prioritize sending the note in a timely manner while the gift is still fresh in both the giver’s and recipient’s minds.
Sample Thank You Messages for Monetary Gifts
When someone gifts you money, it is important to express your gratitude with a heartfelt thank-you note. Here are some sample phrases and messages to help you get started:
Sample thank you letter for gift of money
Dear [Name],
Thank you so much for your generous gift of money. Your kindness and thoughtfulness mean the world to me. I am incredibly grateful for your support and cannot thank you enough. Your gift will help me [insert reason], and I am excited to put it to good use.
Again, thank you for your generosity, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Sample thank you note for money gift
Dear [Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful gift of money you gave me. Your generosity is truly appreciated, and I am grateful for your thoughtfulness. I plan to use the money to [insert reason], and it will make a big difference in my life.
Thank you again for your kindness, and I hope to see you soon.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Monetary thank you examples for large gifts of money
Thank you so much for the monetary gift you gave me. Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and I am grateful for your support. Your gift will help me [insert reason], and I am excited to put it to good use.
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Dear [Name],
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the generous gift of money you gave me. Your kindness and support mean the world to me, and I am grateful for your thoughtfulness. I plan to use the money to [insert reason], and it will make a big difference in my life.
Thank you again for your generosity, and I hope to see you soon.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Dear [Name],
I am deeply touched and sincerely grateful for your incredibly generous gift of money. Your thoughtfulness and support mean more to me than words can express. This generous gesture has provided me with both financial relief and a sense of security, and I am truly humbled by your kindness.
Please know that your generosity will have a lasting impact on my life, and I will always remember this incredible gift. Your support has come at a time when it is most needed, and I am truly appreciative of your unwavering kindness.
Thank you once again for your extraordinary generosity. Your gift will make a meaningful difference, and I am truly thankful for your compassion and support.
With heartfelt appreciation, [Your Name]
Thank you examples for scholarship money that is received
- “I am deeply grateful for the scholarship money I have received. Your generosity and support have made a significant difference in my educational journey. Thank you for investing in my future.”
- “Receiving the scholarship money is a tremendous honor, and I am sincerely thankful for your belief in my potential. Your generosity has alleviated financial burdens and allowed me to pursue my academic goals with confidence.”
- “I am truly humbled and appreciative of the scholarship money I have been awarded. Your support has not only lightened the financial load but has also inspired me to strive for excellence. Thank you for this incredible opportunity.”
- “Thank you for the scholarship money, which has opened doors of opportunity for me. Your investment in my education is deeply appreciated, and I am committed to making the most of this support.”
- “The scholarship money I have received is a testament to your belief in my abilities, and I am incredibly thankful for this vote of confidence. Your generosity has empowered me to pursue my academic aspirations wholeheartedly.”
- “I am honored and grateful to be a recipient of the scholarship money. Your support has provided me with the means to pursue my educational dreams, and I am truly thankful for this invaluable assistance.”
- “Receiving the scholarship money is a tremendous blessing, and I am profoundly grateful for your generosity. Your investment in my education is a gift that will have a lasting impact, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity. Thank you.”
Sample thank you messages for the gift of money to cover a hardship
In hard times, people may give the gift of money to cover medical bills, gas money for appointments, or utility bills during times when out of work. If you don’t know who the gift came from (sometimes it can be given anonymously) you might be able to write a letter to a company or organizaiton that represents them. Here are some examples.
- “Thank you so much for your generous gift of money during this challenging time. Your thoughtfulness and support mean a great deal to me.”
- “I truly appreciate the kindness and generosity you’ve shown by giving me the gift of money to help with my hardship. Your support has made a significant difference, and I am deeply grateful.”
- “Your gift of money has been a tremendous help during this difficult period. I am so grateful for your compassion and generosity. Thank you for being there for me.”
- “Receiving your gift of money has lifted a burden during this hardship, and I am incredibly thankful for your support. Your kindness means more than words can express.”
- “I am deeply touched by your thoughtful gift of money to help me through this tough time. Your generosity has made a meaningful impact, and I am truly grateful for your support.”
- “Thank you for your generous gift of money, which has provided much-needed relief during this hardship. Your support and caring have been a source of strength for me, and I am truly appreciative.”
- “Your gift of money has been a ray of hope during this challenging period, and I am sincerely grateful for your kindness and support. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.”
Specific Occasions for Monetary Gifts
Monetary gifts are a great way to show your appreciation for someone. They are versatile and can be given on many occasions. Here are some specific occasions where monetary gifts are appropriate and appreciated.
Weddings and Engagements
Weddings and engagements are some of the most common occasions where monetary gifts are given. If you receive a monetary gift for your wedding or engagement, you can write a thank-you note, send a text message, or make a phone call to show your appreciation.
When writing a thank-you note for a monetary gift, make sure to acknowledge the amount of money given and how you plan to use it. For example, you can say something like, “Thank you so much for your generous gift of $100. We plan to use it towards our honeymoon in Hawaii.”
Graduations
Graduations are another occasion where monetary gifts are commonly given. If you receive a monetary gift for your graduation, you can write a thank-you note, send a text message, or make a phone call to show your appreciation.
When writing a thank-you note for a monetary gift, make sure to acknowledge the amount of money given and how you plan to use it. For example, you can say something like, “Thank you so much for your generous gift of $500. I plan to use it towards my student loans.”
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays and anniversaries are other occasions where monetary gifts are appropriate. If you receive a monetary gift for your birthday or anniversary, you can write a thank-you note, send a text message, or make a phone call to show your appreciation.
When writing a thank-you note for a monetary gift, make sure to acknowledge the amount of money given and how you plan to use it. For example, you can say something like, “Thank you so much for your generous gift of $50. I plan to use it towards a nice dinner with my spouse.”
FAQs: Thanking Others for a Gift of Money
Here are some outlying questions you may have about thanking someone for a gift of money.
Do you have to thank someone for a gift of money?
In many cultures, it is customary and generally expected for people to be thanked for giving money as a gift. Expressing gratitude for the generosity and thoughtfulness behind the gift, regardless of the form it takes, is a common practice that helps to acknowledge the gesture and strengthen social bonds. Whether it’s a formal thank-you note, a verbal expression of appreciation, or a message conveyed through technology, showing gratitude for the gift of money is often seen as a respectful and considerate gesture.
Can I print out my personal thank you rather than writing it?
Funny story, my husband’s handwriting doesn’t match, shall we say, “the picture in my head”. It’s more like elementary handwriting. A love note loses its appeal on the visual, lol!
Everyone has persons in their life who don’t possess neat handwriting, and that’s OK. Although hand-written messages are a lost art, it’s perfectly acceptable to type out your thank you, as long as it follows the best practice structure of a thank you note for a gift of money.
Is it acceptable to combine my thank you note with other communication?
If this was Ms. Manners, she would probably say send a separate thank you note. If you’re in a casual family, and you know they won’t be insulted, go ahead and tuck your thank you in the Christmas or birthday card you planned to send anyway. In my defense, postage is outrageous! If you have that one family members who will guilt you to no end, than give them a separate thank you.
I know that sometimes it’s easier to treat one side of the family different than another side. It will have to be your personal call if there is any friction between husband and wife on how to handle this. Compromises can be the secret sauce of a succesful marriage!
If the communcation is with someone you have a formal relationship with, than do adhere to etiquette guidelines and send the thank you separate from other communication.
Is a printed thank you to all guests appropriate?
I’ve seen some pretty clever and creative “printed thank you’s” that go out in mass to guests. Take for example the post card with a suitcase plastered with college stickers, announcing that the high school graduate is attending the university they are accepted to. Newlyweds may anticipate some great honeymoon shots that would make the perfect thank you to guests after the honeymoon.
Then there is the instance of a mass-produced funeral card with the family’s name also in print.
What do I think of these scenarios? Glad you asked, because I have an opinion!
- Postage rates are sky-high. Not everyone can afford the additional expense. Sending out post card thank yous is a good option. I would include a shorter message, and less details, since anyone who handles the card can read the message.
- I know it’s like pulling teeth to get high school graduates to write thank you notes. I think the world’s record was a thank you I received 6 months after the kid graduated (I’m sure the mom had something to do with the follow through, bravo!). I always like clever, and a novel thank you graduation gift card can bring a smile to my face. Points for putting thought into it!
- Printed funeral thank you cards – I dislike them. What better way to honor your deceased mother or father than telling the people in their life that cared enough to give, that they raised lazy kids? The exception is when sending out thank you’s may be an additional hardship. For example, there are no other relatives to follow through, or the surviving spouse is quite elderly and they may be battling very serious health problems, or most of the family lives abroad or in other states – than cut them a break!
Being on the receiving end, I was quite hurt to receive one of these insensitive cards. I’m trying to be the bigger person, but I went over and above bringing funeral food, I sent cards to the dying mother (my mother’s close friend). I attended the wake (I had some childhood experiences with the deceased’s children who didn’t know who I was) – and I would say four out of the five kids lived locally. My daughter and I had the happy opportunity to run into this woman about nine months before she passed away. It was joyful, and she asked if she could hug me. I honored her after her death, but will say, I am not impressed with the family.
How to thank a gift of money that came from a group of people?
It’s not uncommon for a group of people to chip in money for a group gift. This may be more common for group gifts in the workplace. It can alse be a “pass the hat” gift from family, friends, or again, the workplace.
A single card to post in the break room is appropriate for group monetary gifts (if it’s a small and closely-knit company). No one will be “passing the hat” for corporate level (if you get a gift at all).
For gifts from family, it would be good gift etiquette to send a thank you note to each individual.
Some people might try to do you a favor and say “no thank you necessary.” Believe me, that’s just a nice little bonus gift they give you, take advantage of it! Some people can’t fight the deeply engrained good manners in their DNA and will send a thank you anyway, despite protests.
When is it inappropriate to receive a gift of money?
It may be considered inappropriate to accept a gift of money in certain situations, such as when the giver and recipient have a professional relationship where accepting money could be perceived as a conflict of interest or a breach of ethical standards (such as giving gifts to hospital staff). In some business relationships it could be perceived as a bribe.
Additionally, in some cultures, there may be specific occasions or circumstances where accepting money as a gift is discouraged or deemed inappropriate due to cultural taboos or superstitions (AKA when giving money as a gift is bad luck). It’s important to be aware of the cultural norms, social context, and ethical considerations when deciding whether to accept a gift of money in any given situation.
What if I am told how to spend the gift of money?
There is always the case of “gifts with ties” meaning that someone close to you or family member gives you a money gift, but it is tied with the expectation of a favor or personal gain. That plays in to the previous question, when is it inappropriate to receive a gift of money. In this case, it may be best to not accept the gift of money. It’s no fun when someone dictates how to spend the money gift. It’s important to set firm boundaries to discourage this type of gifting that has something “in it” for the giver.
However, there are other times when giving a money gift that is identified that is earmarked for use is perfectly acceptible. For example, gifts of money put toward a planned, anticipated need is a very considerate gift. For example: newlyweds planning a honeymoon, a high school graduate saving for college, or putting money towards a new car, new home, or more expensive gift that would be too much for the gifter to afford.
Is it OK to thank someone for a gift of money with a text?
In many modern cultures, it is generally acceptable to thank someone for a gift of money with a text message. While a handwritten note or a phone call may be considered more formal and personal, a thoughtful and sincere text message expressing gratitude for the money can also be well-received. The key is to ensure that the message conveys genuine appreciation for the gesture and the thought behind the gift. Ultimately, the method of expressing thanks for a gift of money can depend on the relationship between the giver and recipient, as well as the prevailing customs and norms in their social circle.
Is their an online or digital way to thank someone for a gift of money that is considered appropirate?
Using technology to thank someone for a gift of money can be done in various ways, depending on the preferences of the giver and recipient. Some appropriate methods include sending a heartfelt thank-you email, a personalized digital thank-you card, or a thoughtful text message expressing gratitude for the gift. Additionally, utilizing social media platforms to publicly acknowledge the gift and express thanks can also be a meaningful way to show appreciation. Ultimately, the key is to ensure that the message is genuine, personalized, and reflective of the thoughtfulness behind the gift of money.
What are eco-friendly ways to thank someone for a gift of money?
Using digital, online, and text messages are an eco-friendly way to thank someone for a gift of money (outside of the fact of the need to have the physical equipment of a computer or cell phone). Digital messages skip the gas and vehicle maintenance that the post office is using to deliver your physical greeting. If sending a handwritten note, choose recycled paper to be more conscious of the thank you note’s material impact on the environment.
In addition, a verbal face-to-face thank you at the time the gift is received is a very human way to connect with the giftor to let them know how personally grateful you are for the gift.
