Thank You Card Template #1

My kids love to create anything! Sometimes when we create we need a little direction. I love homemade cards. They are a fun little project. When people receive the handmade cards they are even more appreciative. However, the hardest part when making your own card is coming up with an idea.

Thank You Template #1 is a way to help you create while spending less time planning.

How the template works:

  1. Print out the free thank you card template.
  2. Gather your desired solid or patterned paper.
  3. Cut your paper the same size as each of the template pieces. This can be done by using the measurements and a paper cutter OR trace the template pieces onto the back of your desired paper then cut out.
  4. Assemble and glue the thank you card by layering the cut out papers as shown in the picture.

Supplies needed:

  • Thank You Template 1
  • Desired patterned paper/card stock
  • Card base
  • Pencil, if tracing the template
  • Scissors/paper cutter
  • Glue/glue stick/ double sided tape/glue dots
  • A2 envelope, if desired
Card Base

Cut an 8.5 x 11 piece of card stock in half like a hamburger. You should end up with 2 card bases both 4.25 x 5.5. Card stock is important because it is the backbone of the card. It gives strength to stand up on one end to display. When cards are this beautiful it is hard not to display them, especially when they contain words of gratitude.

Use of Template

There are two ways to use this template.

  1. Cut out each piece then place it on the backside of your desired paper to trace. Cut along the traced lines. Repeat with all the layers.
  2. Use the measurements provided on the template and a paper cutter to cut your chosen paper to each size.

Here are the template pieces and my chosen paper all cut out.

Easy thank you card template. Use 3 papers of your choice plus scissors and glue and you have a card made in 10 minutes or less!

The template let’s you know how to layer the papers. The card base is always first then layer on 1, then 2 and so forth. Layers is what makes thank you cards interesting and fun.

Easy thank you card template. Use 3 papers of your choice plus scissors and glue and you have a card made in 10 minutes or less!

Hint: When I am making cards I like to cut all the supplies for a few cards at once. I can easily cut perhaps 4 of each template piece and then glue together 4 of the same card. It only takes a few more minutes but I have 3 more in my stash for next time.

Easy thank you card template. Use 3 papers of your choice plus scissors and glue and you have a card made in 10 minutes or less!

What’s the Big Deal with Writing Thank You Notes?

Growing up I could be found writing thank you cards, especially after Christmas or birthdays. I’m pretty sure my Mom didn’t care exactly what I wrote. I’m pretty sure she wanted me to get into the habit and/or feel the importance of writing thank you notes.

In fact, after Christmas, even now, she ALWAYS sends handwritten thank you cards to myself and each of my kids thanking them for spending time with her during the holiday and for the homemade present.

What's the Big Deal with Writing Thank You Notes? Discover why handwritten cards are an important way to express love and gratitude.

What is the big deal about writing thank you notes?

In my opinion, it is more about the time and effort put into the card and not the specific words. It is easy to text a ‘TY’ to someone quick. It is easy to send a short thank you email.

It is NOT easy—

  • picking out a card, or creating your own thank you card
  • figuring out what to say (check out this How To Write Thank You Notes printable)
  • nicely writing your thoughts
  • finding a stamp
  • finding an address
  • mailing the letter

Writing thank you cards is a BIG deal because it teaches you –

  • to be thankful for what others do for you
  • to recognize effort
  • to be thankful for time spent
  • to recognize small acts of kindness – not just the easily seen large acts
  • to see the world through different eyes

When we shift our mindset to being more thankful and expressing that thanks we start looking at things differently. We discover there is always something to be thankful for. This makes us more grateful and we are happier.

Put together your own thank you card kit. It may be filled with premade cards or it may have handmade thank you cards. If you want to make your own cards check out this Thank You Card Template that requires glue, paper and the free printable.

Try it out today! Challenge yourself to find one thing that warrants a handwritten thank you note. Then, set a goal to write one thank you note each Sunday or once a month.

You will get more out of writing thank you notes then you can imagine. You will see a change in your outlook. You will see a more thankful you.

What's the Big Deal with Writing Thank You Notes? Discover why handwritten cards are an important way to express love and gratitude.

How do we lift one another’s burdens?

How do we lift one another’s burdens? First, I look back at my life. For me I automatically think of an experience with my 3 year old daughter. We knew her body was not working properly for a while and had been searching for answers with no avail. Finally we got some, but I wasn’t convinced it was the entire story.

Manik Rathee

One Friday morning I took my daughter to the hospital for another test. I remember the spot on the highway where I had a very distinct impression that the test results were going to be bad. I looked at her and cried a few tears. Then we were there.

This was the first time performing this test. I didn’t have time to think about that impression. I was focused on what was going on and how to comfort my young child in this new situation.

As I waited for the test to be administered I watched the clock. I brought a book to read, but I couldn’t. I noticed it was past the time when the test should have been completed. I saw some of the hospital staff working with my child pass by my waiting room glancing at me. I knew, then again, they had something to tell me that wasn’t good. I just wanted them to come let me know.

Finally the news was given and I needed to take my 3 year old to another hospital immediately for surgery that day or the next. A team was waiting for our arrival to discuss things in more depth.

I remember the nurse asking me if I was alright as she walked us to my car and gave me a hug – as if she had done this before. I didn’t cry then. I didn’t quite understand what the outcome was going to be – I hadn’t processed everything – I hadn’t weighed the odds to determine how I should react. I wasn’t worried about that. I wasn’t worried about me.

I looked at my 3 year old feeling so incredibly bad for the situation she was in and what she was about to experience. That is where my emotions were – with her – seeing things through her eyes. Trying to figure out what this meant for her future.

When we truly want to lift another’s burdens we need to see things through their eyes. How does this burden affect their emotional status? Are everyday tasks more difficult? These questions as well as others similar will help you get a glimpse into another’s burdens.

The answers will give you hints as to how you can help. Perhaps they just need a listening ear who forgets everything once you have parted ways.

If everyday tasks are more difficult perhaps;

  • pick up a few extra groceries to deliver
  • help drive or pick up kids from school
  • bring a meal – homemade, fast food, freezer meal
  • offer to babysit even if it is just for a mental/emotional break
  • help get kids ready for school or church
  • offer to take or sit by them at church to assist during the meeting
  • offer to clean their bathrooms

I will be the first to admit I do feel guilty when others give of their time to me. True friends and those with true intentions of wanting to lift one another’s burdens persist. As stubborn as I am about not wanting help, I would have caved to kind persistence because I would have felt and known their true intentions. I would have LOVED the emotional break. If at first someone says no, gently, gently try again. You never know, they might let you help.

Accepting and Giving Service. Be the Receiver.

My favorite time of the year is Christmas because I love hearing Secret Santa stories. Actually, I love any story about one individual or group helping others in small ways. The large ways are fun and usually amazing, but my favorite are the small, quiet, simple acts of service.

I have a strong desire to serve others and to teach my kids how to serve others as well. I believe it is a valuable lesson that will stick with them throughout their lives.

But….

How do I teach my kids to serve if no one will let them serve?

Serving requires two sides – a giver and a receiver.

Without a receiver there is no giver.

When I really thought about this I realized I had been going about this all wrong.

I was teaching my kids backwards.

I needed to let myself be served so that they knew what that looked like. Sure I serve my kids many times a day. But, in their eyes it is just my job. It is just what happens. It isn’t anything special.

When someone – outside our household – is allowed to serve myself or my family we have something to talk about. We don’t need to come up with ‘what if’ situations. We don’t need to hypothesize. We can talk about acts of service that have happened to our family.

When we discuss those acts so personal to us, my children then start to realize what service is and what it feels like to be served. They begin to recognize acts of service.

Being served makes us want to pay it forward if you will. Being served makes us want to serve someone else in our own way.

So…

The next time you want to teach your children how to serve let them see you being served first. Allow someone to open a door, hold a crying baby for you, or bring you dinner.

The best way to teach anyone how to serve is to see service happening in their own lives. Be the receiver. Be the one who allows someone else to feel good for serving you.