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National Thank You Note Day

Say thank you with style this National Thank You Note Day - write heartfelt notes to show your appreciation and gratitude!

Saturday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDecember 26

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Thank You Note Day on December 26 and show some appreciation for the people in your life! This day was first proposed by a lady named Mary Brookhart in 1971, who believed that expressing thanks through writing letters was an important part of building relationships. It has since become an international holiday to recognize the importance of gratitude and kindness.

TIMELINE

National Thank You Note Day Timeline

Proposal of National Thank You Note Day

Mary Brookhart proposed the idea of National Thank You Note Day to promote the practice of expressing gratitude through writing.

Growth of the Holiday

The concept gained popularity throughout the 1980s, with more people recognizing the importance of this practice in building relationships.

Format Expansion

Thank you notes began to take on new forms, like e-cards, reflecting technology's influence during this decade.

Global Recognition

National Thank You Note Day gained international recognition, highlighting a worldwide appreciation for expressing gratitude.

Digital Gratitude

Introduction of apps and digital platforms for creating and sending personalized thank you notes, making this tradition more accessible and innovative.

Continuation of Tradition

Despite technological advancements, the traditional paper-based thank you note has retained its charm and importance, continuing the tradition of expressing gratitude in a personal way.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Thank You Note Day

Write a thank you note

Take some time to write a heartfelt thank you note and express your gratitude to someone who deserves it. It doesn't have to be long, just genuine.

SEND

Send a thank you card

For those special people in your life, send them a thoughtful thank you card with a personal message inside. They'll love it!

CREATE

Create a thank you video

For those who are tech savvy, create a fun and creative video thanking the person for everything they have done for you. Upload it to YouTube or share it on social media.

HOST

Host a thank you party

Gather your friends and family and host a thank you party where everyone takes turns expressing their gratitude to one another. It's sure to bring lots of smiles.

WRITE

Write a song

Whether it's for yourself or for someone else, writing a song about appreciation is an amazing way to show your gratitude during National Thank You Note Day.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Thank You Note Day

Receiving Thank You Notes Is Uplifting

It can be hard not to feel cheered up when receiving a thank you note! Knowing that someone took the time out of their day to express gratitude and acknowledgment is a wonderfully uplifting feeling that will stay with them for days or even weeks afterwards.

Thank You Notes Show Gratitude

Sending a thank you note is a great way to show your appreciation and gratitude for someone who has done something special for you. It's a thoughtful gesture that shows the recipient just how much their kindness means to you.

Writing Thank You Notes Strengthens Connections

Taking the time to write out a meaningful thank you note is a great way to strengthen relationships with loved ones or build new connections with colleagues, friends, and strangers. It's a powerful reminder of how we are able to rely on and depend on others in our lives.