• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Proportional Plate
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • LIFESTYLE
  • DESIGN
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • LIFESTYLE
    • DESIGN
    • ABOUT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Travel & Lifestyle

    Why You Should Make Gratitude Cards This Year

    Published: Nov 5, 2020 Modified: Apr 26, 2019 by Candice

    Cards fanned on a table.
    Putting cards with hearts into envelopes.
    Woman holding three cards with hearts on them.
    Putting cards with hearts into envelopes.

    It may seem small, but making time to send gratitude cards and show your thanks to someone in your life has far-reaching positive effects! Every year I make gratitude cards and send a personal message to the people in my life who have really impacted, helped, and inspired me. 

    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 What Are Gratitude Cards?
    2 Why Express Gratitude Regularly?
    3 Why Make Handwritten Notes?
    4 Who Should I Thank?
    5 What Supplies Do I Need to Make Gratitude Cards?
    6 Other Card Design Ideas
    7 Read More...

    What Are Gratitude Cards?

    Gratitude cards are small, paper thank you cards, though I like to think of them as personal acknowledgements of someone’s impact in my life rather than a thank you note for a specific thing or act. You can buy pre-written thank you cards at most stores, but I think a handmade, handwritten version is much more special and is fun to make as well!

    If you’re the kind of person who experiments with arts and crafts, you can really get experimental with these. 

    Why Express Gratitude Regularly?

    Every year I make gratitude cards and send a personal message to the people in my life who have really impacted, helped, and inspired me. Research has shown (link opens in new tab) that expressing gratitude is proven to positively affect our health and well-being, and makes us feel happier as well!

    So it not only helps lift your recipient's happiness, it increases your own, and strengthens good-will and affection between you. Think about how great it feels when you are thanked and acknowledged - I believe we should pass that feeling on as often as we can.

    Why Make Handwritten Notes?

    When was the last time you wrote or received a piece of mail that wasn't a bill, nuisance mail, or credit card offer? Getting a handwritten thank you note will stand out for your recipient, and make them feel special that you took the extra time to write it, get postage, and find a mailbox.

    But even if you don't have time for all that, expressing gratitude in any form is important. Take a moment to send a text or email!

    Who Should I Thank?

    When I express gratitude, it doesn’t always have to be to someone that I’ve met in person - sometimes I’ll write to an author whose book I’ve really enjoyed or a blogger whose recipe I had fun trying out. Engaging in these small acts of thankfulness, even to people I don’t know, lifts my mood and reminds me of all the good people I have in my life. 

    You could write to the author of a book you are reading, the host of your favorite podcast, a coworker, a friend, partner, or family member. I challenge you to think of all the people you’d like to thank, and every day this week, write one thank you note and send it out.

    What Supplies Do I Need to Make Gratitude Cards?

    To make some gratitude cards at home, you can use some simple craft supplies that they’ll have at most craft or stationery stores. Some things you may need are: 

    • Plain and/or colored cardstock
    • Plain and/or colored 8.5"x11" computer paper
    • 4"x6" envelopes
    • double sided tape
    • glue stick
    • heart punch
    • scissors OR paper cutter
    • plastic bone folder
    • Stickers or gems 
    • Ribbon 
    • Patterned stencil
    • Washi tape
    • Colored pens and pencils 
    • Colored paints

    Other Card Design Ideas

    Here’s a roundup of some really cool craft DIYs that I love for gratitude cards! Pinterest is a great place to get some inspiration, and I found that following a tutorial to get started can be helpful in coming up with my own designs. 

    • Easy DIY Card Ideas from The Spruce Crafts
    • Homemade Thank You Card Designs from Gifts.com
    • PaperCraft Homemade Cards from Rose Clearfield
    • Nine Ideas for Homemade Thank You Cards from Wonderful DIY

    ★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Read More...

    • The Breville Food Processor: Is it Worth the Extra Bucks?
    • 9 Gorgeous bakeware gifts under $35
    • 7 Ways to Use an Instant Read Thermometer
    • 7 common kitchen design mistakes and how to avoid them

    Or check out all the lifestyle and travel articles on Proportional Plate here.

    This post was originally published in April of 2019 but was republished with new tips in November of 2020.

    « Balsamic Herb Chicken Thighs
    Apple Brie Crostini with Walnuts, Honey, & Thyme »
    55 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Woman with a flower.

    Candice Walker

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire it. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Winter Recipes

    • Persimmon Pancakes
    • Saffron Bamieh
    • Potato Knishes
    • Matcha Lace Cookies (like Florentines)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Persimmon Bread & Baking with Persimmons
    • Dalgona Matcha Latte
    • Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
    • Quick & Easy Steak Taco Recipe

    SUBSCRIBE w/EMAIL

    6 Healthy & Plant-Centered Trends for 2020, Meal Plans, & So Much More!




    Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Woman with a flower.

    Candice Walker

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire it. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

    READ MORE

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Winter Recipes

    • Homemade Pita Bread
    • The Ultimate Crispy Latke Recipe
    • Irish Matcha & Baileys Irish Matcha
    • Matcha Irish Cream (Like Baileys!)

    As Featured In

    Collage of logos.

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Homemade Gnocchi
    • Pasta Puttanesca
    • Cardamom Krumkake with Mascarpone Filling
    • Cranberry Orange Scones

    SUBSCRIBE w/EMAIL

    6 Healthy & Plant-Centered Trends for 2020, Meal Plans, & So Much More!




    Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Candice
    • About Food Guilt

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Proportional Plate LLC

    55 shares