In this age of emailing and texting, you might think that the old-fashioned, hand-written thank-you letter is as obsolete as the horse-and-buggy.

Not so! Although many people have abandoned the written letter for the speed and convenience of digital communications, you can establish your credentials as a class act simply by setting pen to paper, affixing a stamp to an envelope, and dropping the letter in a Post Office box.

Millions of people still appreciate receiving a heartfelt thank-you letter in the mail. These include people you know such as relatives, friends, and acquaintances. But they also include people you don’t know so well such as the managers and employees who took time out of their busy day to welcome you to the office for a job interview.

Unlike the vast majority of digital communications, hand-written letters are personal. The simple fact that you took time to write an actual letter sets you apart from the herd, strengthens your connection with the recipient, and may even earn you benefits that would never be extended to people who simply dash off a perfunctory email or text.

Who deserves a hand-written thank-you letter?

According to the etiquette experts at such websites as EmilyPost.com, the general rule of thumb is to send a written note any time you receive a gift, and the giver wasn’t there for you to thank in person. But there are two important exceptions to this rule:

• Shower gifts. You should always send a written note to the gift-givers, even if you had an opportunity to thank them at the shower.
• Wedding gifts. Send a written as soon as possible after gifts arrive, and definitely no later than three months after their receipt, even if you thanked the givers in person.

You also should send a personally written message to anyone who sends:

• A congratulatory gift or a card with a personally written message.
• A get-well gift. The note should be sent as soon as the patient feels well enough to respond. But a friend or relative also can write the notes.
• Condolences notes or gifts. If necessary, a close friend or relative can write the notes for a person who has received a personal note, flowers, or a donation.

It’s best to write a thank-you note on plain stationary or notecards. It’s also OK to write them on attractive-looking postcards. A small-sized piece of paper is preferable since the message will probably be brief and would look lost on a full-sized sheet. In general, commercial thank-you cards are a poor substitute for a hand-written letter.

How do you write a thank-you letter?

You don’t need to be a professional writer to craft an effective thank-you letter, and you don’t have to have perfect penmanship. As long as the letter is legible, it’s OK.

Stick with blue or black ink. Other colors – especially fluorescent ones – will simply detract from what you have to say.

Etiquette experts recommend following a simple, six-point formula for writing a thank-you letter:

1. Greet the giver (i.e.-“Dear Uncle Ben”).
2. Express your gratitude for the gift (i.e.-“Thank you so much for the sweater.”) If Uncle Ben gave you money, don’t mention it directly. Instead, thank him for his “generosity” or “kindness.” If you feel he overspent on a gift for you, don’t say so. Simply tell him that his kindness is “appreciated.” If you’re thanking him for something intangible such as showing you the town or letting you stay at his apartment, simply say “Thank you for your hospitality.”
3. Discuss how you’re using the gift. If you love Uncle Ben’s sweater so much that you wear it every week, tell him. What if you hate the sweater? Simply say one nice thing about it such as “The argyle pattern is quite striking.” If Uncle Ben gave you money, avoid describing every last thing you’ll spend it on and simply say something like “It will be a great help as we furnish our new apartment.” If Uncle Ben put you up for the night, tell him how much you enjoyed spending time with him and his family. If the situation warrants it, you can add an extra line or two about the gift or gesture. You can have fun with this (i.e.-“I never knew you collected primitive American art. You ought to be a curator!”) But avoid getting too flowery (i.e.-“That portrait of the farmer and his daughter is so magnificently rendered that it should be as familiar and iconic as Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.”)
4. Tell the giver how he or she fits into your life, and allude to the future. If it’s someone you know well, tell them how you enjoyed hearing their stories and how much you’re looking forward to seeing them again during the holidays. If it’s someone you don’t know well, it’s OK to reference a third party and say something like “Uncle Ben tells me you’re doing great at your new job and I hope to see you again soon.” If it’s someone you don’t really like, you can simply tell them they’re in your thoughts and that you wish them well.
5. Repeat your thanks for the gift or gesture.
6. End with your regards.  Use whatever sendoff seems appropriate (i.e.-“Love,” “Yours truly,” or simply “Best regards”) and sign your name.

A simple, heart-felt thank-you note may reap more than emotional benefits. Some experts believe that the more frequently you send thank-you notes, the more likely you are to receive frequent and nicer gifts.

The same principle applies in the business world, especially if you’re applying for the job. According to an AccountTemps survey, 88 percent of executives said they consider a thank-you note influential when evaluating candidates and 52 percent said they preferred a hand-written note compared to 44 percent who recommended email, and 3 percent who recommended both. Since about 50 percent of applicants don’t even bother to send thank-you notes after an interview, the few minutes you spend writing such notes could very well help you land a new job.

SCHEDULE A SCREENING