As you read this newsletter, the year 2010 has come to a close and the holiday season will end officially in just a few days. 

The  decorations will be coming down and stored for another year.  The last of the cookies, candy and cakes are about to be consumed.  The office parties are over.  Hopefully, you navigated them with grace and good manners.   Your business holiday cards went out on time with your own signature and a short handwritten note on each one.

All that lies ahead now are New Year's celebrations, a weekend of football (or is it a week?) and a list of thank you notes to write. You were thinking about them, weren't you?

Perhaps you are ahead of me and they have all been written and mailed. Just in case you have been putting off that last chore, let me offer a few tips to create easy, well-written notes that are expressive and impressive.

• Use a quality correspondence card or fold-over note.
• Begin with a polite greeting such as "Dear Mary."
• Keep your note simple and to the point.
• Refer to the item specifically. Don't say, "Thank you for the gift."
• Say how you will use it or perhaps already have. "The brownies were delicious."
• Express your gratitude once more before you close.
• Use an appropriate closing like "Sincerely," Gratefully" or "Warmest regards."

The polished professional sends out handwritten thank notes even in this age of e-mail and texting. Nothing builds business relationships better than that personal touch

© 2010, Lydia Ramsey.  Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author featured in the Wall Street Journal and many other off-line and on-line publications.  Lydia shares her business etiquette tips in her monthly e-zine, her blog and on Twitter.  To register for these free services visit http://www.mannersthatsell.com today!