How to Write a Thank You Letter for Retirement Gifts

Co-authored by Tami Claytor and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: January 20, 2022 References

One of the best parts of retirement is getting showered with gifts and appreciation for all of your hard work. After you've received your gifts and celebrated, you probably want to take the time to thank all your coworkers, friends, and family for their generosity. Writing a kind thank you note is the perfect way to show your appreciation. This article is here to help you know what to say so that your message feels genuine and special.

1

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gift."

A simple message of gratitude goes a long way. Address your letter to your recipient specifically (no matter how many letters you have to write) and tell them how much you appreciated the gift they got you.^{[1]
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- Alternatively, say something like, "Dear Martha, thank you so much for my spa day gift card. I am so excited to treat myself!" or "Greg, I am so grateful for this amazing assortment of tea. I can't even decide which tea I want to try first!"^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tami Claytor
  Etiquette Coach
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}

2

"I’ve already used your gift and am so excited to have it. Thank you so much."

Tell the recipient you've already gotten something out of their gift. It will make them feel like you truly liked their gift and aren't just saying that to make them feel good. Be specific about how you used the gift so that your letter feels extra personal.^{[3]
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- To make your message more detailed, you might write, "These golf clubs are fantastic! I've already taken them for a golf day at the club" or "This aromatherapy candle makes my living room feel like a spa. Thank you so much."^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tami Claytor
  Etiquette Coach
  Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}

3

"Thank you for this amazing gift. It will remind me of you every time I see it!"

Tell them that you'll always associate the gift with the recipient. It will bring a smile to their face, as everyone wants to hear that they are thought of and appreciated. Don't forget to mention the specific gift so that the card is unique to the person you're addressing.^{[5]
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- Write something like, "Every time I wear this necklace, I'll think of you. You're always close to my heart."

4

"My gifts are so special, and your years of support and friendship have meant everything to me. Thank you!"

Mention how much the person you're addressing means to you. It's likely that the people who gave you retirement gifts are also some of your closest friends and family. Let them know how much you value them to make your letter feel more heartfelt.^{[6]
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- You might add specific memories of your time together. Say something like, "We've been through incredible times together. The summers we spent as kids are still some of my favorites."

5

"Your generous gift means so much to me. I'll treasure it forever!"

Reference the recipient's generosity if the gift was extravagant. Maybe your coworkers teamed up to get you a plaque or a nice watch. Let them know that their kindness didn't go unnoticed and tell them that it's one of the nicest gifts you've ever received.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, try, "I am still in awe of your generosity and kindness. This has to be one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me!" or "Y'all are just the nicest people. I'm forever grateful for my gift."

6

"Working with you over the years has been a pleasure. Thank you."

Let your coworkers know that you appreciate them, in addition to their gift. You've likely spent years working alongside your coworkers. Let them know how grateful you are to have gotten that chance, and be specific about what you enjoyed about their presence.^{[8]
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- You might add, "Your relentless positivity kept me going when things would get tough at the office" or "You've got to be the funniest person I've ever worked with. Thank you for all the laughs in addition to this awesome gift!"

7

"Thank you for this fantastic gift. I'm so lucky I got to work with you!"

Try this if you didn't have a super close relationship with your coworkers. A simple message that thanks them for their kindness and generosity is really all that you need to make them feel special. Let them know that you're grateful to have gotten to know them at work so that your letter feels a touch more personalized.
- Say something like, "Working with you was such a fantastic experience" or "I'll miss seeing you every day at work."

8

"You're more than a fantastic coworker. You're also an incredible friend. Thank you for this amazing gift."

Tell the coworkers you're close to that you value their friendship as well. If you plan on maintaining connections with some of your coworkers after your retirement, communicate how much their friendship means to you.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.} They'll be super flattered that you not only appreciate your gift, but their presence, too.^{[10]
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- Add specific memories of your relationship to make the letter more unique to them. Try something like, "I'll treasure our weekly lunches together forever. Can't wait to keep the tradition going in retirement!"

9

"I’m so grateful to have had you as a mentor. Thank you for this gift and all of your kindness over the years."

Tell your supervisor how much their guidance meant to you. If you had a positive relationship with your supervisor, let them know how much their advice and encouragement kept you going throughout the years of working together. Being a supervisor isn't easy, and they'll be so happy that you appreciated all their efforts (as well as the fantastic gift).
- Reference times your supervisor really stood out as an incredible leader. Say something like, "When things got tough at the company, you made me feel like my work still had value."

10

"My retirement party was such a blast. Thank you so much for making it such a hit."

Take the time to thank the party planners if you had a retirement party. Throwing a party takes a lot of effort, time, and even money. It's a gift in and of itself. Tell them how much their effort meant to you and they'll likely treasure your thank you letter forever.^{[11]
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- You might try adding specific details about the party that really stood out to you. Write something like, "The golf-themed decorations really made me smile. Thank you for making the party so special for me."

11

"Celebrating with my closest friends and family was such a treat. Thanks for planning such a fun party."

Tell the party planners how much you appreciated their company. Part of what makes a retirement party so special, in addition to the gifts, is being surrounded by those you care about most. Reference some specific memories that stood out to you at the party to convey your gratitude.^{[12]
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- You might also write, "I loved watching the slideshow of work pictures over the years, especially those pictures from that legendary Christmas party."

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you start a thank you letter?

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.

Tami Claytor

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

The first rule of thumb is to say thank you first. Whatever the gesture is, be very specific and write thank you for that particular thing. If it is a gift, explain how you will use it.
Question

What else can I include in a thank you letter?

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.

Tami Claytor

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

Besides thanking the person for the gift, you can include a compliment in the thank you card.