City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Store Credit: Thank You Letter Edition

Unique gifts to express gratitude

Article by Amy Birdsong Golden

Photography by Bonner Morgan

Originally published in River City Lifestyle

Grateful for your kindness… Your support means the world… Thank you for your generosity…We’d be lost without you…Your help made a difference… Merci beaucoup…Thanks for being there for me…I’m so thankful for your friendship…It takes a village, but maybe just you…I value your encouragement…Gracias…Thank you for helping me when I couldn’t ask for it…I appreciate all that you do… We are humbled by your spirit…Thank you for your time and effort… You shouldn’t have, but I’m so glad you did!

To Lila,

I loved being in your hometown this weekend! Thank you for carting me around and indulging me in the estate sale and antique stops! I miss our treasure hunts with a crisp Diet Coke. I could have stayed at Novel for hours (I get hungry around books). And the shopping! I know we were eyeing that gorgeous bag at Joseph. But since I can’t gift you the real thing... I thought this was a close second. A play purse for little Virginia from Cottontails. I know she will be fashion forward like her mother.

XO Grace

Dear Blanche,

How are we old enough for this reunion? This math doesn’t add up. Spending the weekend with you was the best. I laughed so much but somehow feel like I have less wrinkles.  Enclosed – please find some gift tags with your new last name. It’s a beautiful thing in life, a second season. This calls for all new monograms, you know. I loved meeting Charles. He adores you and I am grateful he is patient with learning all of our inside jokes. I am likely too old to be a bridesmaid, but if you want me to wear a dress that matches the punch, I’ll do it.

See you next at the altar –

Love,

Vivian

To my favorite neighbor ever,

Excuse me, Florence Nightingale! How do you take care of everyone? My medical background only extends to Tik Tok and the use of Bacitracin. I know Dermatology is your specialty, but I sure am grateful you remember everything else from nursing school. Thank you for all of the help.  If you have any leftover napkins, we can decoupage pumpkins with them – HA!!

Xx your favorite neighbor ever

To Katie,

We did it! The first supper club in the books. I snuck this note and  arrangement upstairs by your bed. Check your party pantry, I left new napkins because I know you used your pretty ones tonight. And in your freezer you’ll find a breakfast casserole from Lucchesi’s should the morning be hazy. If you think this is me trying to skirt hosting next time, you would be correct. Don’t worry, I should be home and not asleep on your new sofa in the morning. But if I am, it just means you are the most gracious host. Thank you! 

Fondly,

Ashley  

Dear Mr. Webster,

That class full of kindergartners… When I dropped Kathryn off the other day, I just shook my head and couldn’t decide if you needed a double espresso or the martini kind. Here is a spice version along with some other goodies – like a sensory bin for grown-ups. The classroom would be pretty bland without your humor, energy, zeal and leadership! Also enclosed, a gift card to Buster’s Butcher. It’s better than a Lakeshore Learning shopping spree ;) Enjoy the Thanksgiving break. We are all thankful for you!

With gratitude and kindergarten love,

Your class

Dear Chief,

My wife says this is a decanter – de what?! I had to squint a bit, but sure enough it’s a duck as well. I am not sure anything we are drinking lasts too long out of the bottle, but nonetheless – I also brought those bottles of red you like. Thanks for having me yet another day, in another season. The ducks are always better at your place.

-       Roger

To Joe,

Thank you for your support when everything has felt heavy. I have decided we should just consult this crystal ball going forward. It predicts nothing but laughter, friendship and maybe a few unexpected plot twists. This seems more reliable than the Magic 8 version. It’s also heavy enough to hold down some serious papers at your desk – or if you need to throw anything around the office. You are an amazing mentor.

Thanks again,

Thomas

Dear Blair,

What a celebration! I decided you needed another roadie. As your mother used to say ‘no bow, no go’…  Thank you for hosting us for the big weekend. I almost considered moving in permanently. The Wi-Fi was faster than my holiday shopping and the food was delicious. A big cheers to you! I hope you’ll relax (but I know you won’t!).

XO Stephanie

To the Phillpses,

Grateful that you are our adopted family in Memphis. And they say you can’t pick family?!

Love,

The Wrights

Dear Mary Esther, 

A feather in my cap? Hardly. That is YOU my darling. 

Love, 
Susan