Letter of thanks

[1] Personal thank-you letters and cards are often hand-written and the addressee is typically a friend, acquaintance or relative.

[3] The tradition of sending thank you notes dates back to ancient civilizations, with evidence of gratitude expressed through written messages found in Egypt and China.

However, the modern practice began to take shape in the 19th century, particularly during the Victorian era when handwritten correspondence became a social norm.

[3] The introduction of the postage stamp in 1840 and mass production of cards led to the widespread popularity of thank you notes, establishing them as a customary form of etiquette in both personal and professional interactions.

[1] Some psychological research indicates that expressing gratitude by writing such letters can have emotional benefits,[4] but this does not apply to all circumstances.