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How to Write (and Actually Send) Baby Shower Thank You Notes
How to Write (and Actually Send) Baby Shower Thank You Notes

How to Write (and Actually Send) Baby Shower Thank You Notes

They're a thoughtful way to show gratitude (that doesn’t have to feel like another thing on your to-do list).

author-Briana Engelbrecht
By Briana Engelbrecht and Latifah Miles
Updated On
Updated On
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In This Article

When to Send Thank You Cards
Tips for Writing Thank You Cards
What to Say in Your Thank You Cards
Where to Buy Thank You Cards
Physical Thank You Cards
Digital Thank You Cards

After the baby shower fun is over, there’s one last to-do before nesting mode: thank you cards. Thank you cards are usually sent anytime you receive a gift, and especially following baby showers and weddings. While saying thank you in person or over the phone is still a fine way to communicate your gratitude, a thank you note can be a thoughtful touch.  The thought of hand-writing thank you cards feels like a daunting task while there are still tons of things left to do before baby arrives. But the good news is, writing thank you cards doesn’t have to be a whole to-do and the timeline is flexible (so you don’t have to reorganize your priorities to get it done). 

Here are our tips for keeping the task simple, thoughtful and organized.

When to Send Thank You Cards

The general rule of thumb is to send out your thank you cards within two weeks of your baby shower (whether it’s in person or virtual). Two weeks is the ideal time frame because all of the gifts and the people who gave them will still be fresh in your mind and you’ll be more likely to get them sent out before your baby arrives. 

But, we know you have a full agenda in the third trimester of pregnancy, so if you’re staring down week three post-baby shower and still haven’t sent your thank you’s, that’s okay—it’s truly the thought that counts. There also may be a scenario where you’re not able to get them sent out at all, and we’re here to tell you that that’s totally fine too (and your gift givers will understand).

Tips for Writing Thank You Cards

Whether you’re opening gifts in front of shower guests or saving them for later, there are a few things you can do to help stay organized and make the process a bit easier.

  • While you’re opening gifts, designate a note-taker to keep track of who is gifting what. You can also check the gift tracker on your Babylist registry for a list of what was purchased and by whom. (Note: you should also be able to see the gift-giver’s address if they opted to share it). Writing down gifts as you open them is also helpful for keeping track of gifts you receive that you didn’t register for (since they won’t be in your gift tracker).

  • Consider making the thank you card task a group project, especially if you received a ton of gifts. 

  • If you used the group gift feature on your registry, you should send thank you cards to each person who contributed to the gift.

What to Say in Your Thank You Cards

The main goal when writing thank you cards is to express your gratitude and appreciation for your guests and their gifts, whether they were able to attend in person or sent a gift in their absence (if you had a baby shower, of course). But what you write doesn’t need to be elaborate; the most important thing is to be sincere. And unlike writing the shower invitations, each thank you card should be personalized.

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

  • Thank your guest(s) for coming to your baby shower.

  • Write a personal note about how you appreciate their support in this phase of life, or you can’t wait for them to meet the baby.

  • Mention something about what they gifted and how you’re looking forward to using it.

Nailing the perfect message, especially when you’re customizing each one, can feel like a tall order. You can use AI tools, like ChatGPT, to help you craft the perfect note. Here’s a simple prompt to get you started:

  • Start with Can you help me write a baby shower gift thank you note?

  • Provide the gift giver’s name.

  • Give the name of the gift (doesn’t have to be the exact retail name, to make it more casual).

  • Add a few lines about what you appreciate about the gift, how you’ll use it or something more generic that can pair with any item.

From there, you can tailor the length, tone and vibe of the note.

Where to Buy Thank You Cards

There are a few different places to get thank you cards, but our top tip is to order them with your baby shower invitations. Websites like Minted and Etsy usually offer thank you cards in the same design suite as your shower invitations. If you’re not worried about them matching, you can also find cute thank you note sets at places like Target or Paper Source (and they’re typically more affordable this way).

And what if you used digital invitations for your baby shower? Digital thank you cards are also a great option and are lower lift than stamping and mailing out physical cards. You’ll need your gift givers’ email addresses or phone numbers to deliver digital thank you cards, so keep that in mind.

Whether you're sending a heartfelt card in the mail or a quick digital note, these thank you cards have the right mix of charm and ease.

Physical Thank You Cards

Digital Thank You Cards

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