Simple Tips on How to Structure a Handwritten Thank You Letter

Ever since I was a kid, it was instilled in me to send out thank you notes or letters if someone was generous enough to either give me a gift or to show appreciation for something they did for me. I know that we live in the Internet age where a simple text or email saying thank you can be sent, but it seems so impersonal. I always feel so appreciated when I receive a handwritten thank you note or card. The time that a person takes to write a personal message, no matter how short, means so much in the busy world we all live in.

If you are a small business owner, it's definitely important to send out thank you letters to your customers. After all, if they didn’t buy your products or services, you would not be in business. You really can’t afford not to!  As a customer, it's really neat receiving a handwritten note from someone's business I supported. It shows me how important I am to them as a customer, and oftentimes means that I will purchase from them again in the future.

Tips for writing a thank you letter: 

• Always address the person by their first name.  
• Be very specific why you are thanking them. If they gave you a gift, mention that specific gift, and possibly how you will use it or if you enjoyed it. 
• If you had a party or event, be sure to thank them for taking the time to attend and how much it meant to you having them there. 
• If someone made a purchase from you, tell them how much you hope they will enjoy that item, and maybe write a short tip that can help use the product if it applies. 
• If you need to write a lot of letters, it helps to type it up and check for grammar errors so that you have a handwritten thank you letter format to go back to time and time again. 
• You can’t ever say thank you enough, so don’t be afraid to end with “thanks again, you're the best!”

If you are short on time and can’t hand write dozens of letters, you can always use an online service like Handwrytten that can do the writing for you. The recipient will still feel special, and most likely won’t even know that you didn’t take the pen to paper yourself. Of course the message will be provided by you to keep things personalized. 

There are countless reasons you would need to send out thank you cards from birthday parties, graduations, weddings, holidays and more. Let’s not make this small, yet important gesture a lost art. Do you send out personal thank you letters or cards?

Shelly

LOVEUARY is the new February on Hallmark Channel with the Original Premiere of "Welcome to Mama's" on Saturday, Feb. 26th at 8pm/7c!

Today's post is sponsored by Hallmark Channel 

Can you believe that we are getting ready to close out the month of February already? One of my favorite things about February is the coziness and warmth of the most romantic month of the year. I enjoy all of the festivities surrounding Valentine's Day from the fancy meals, flowers, decadent treats, and just the feeling of love in the air. I particularly enjoy doing special things for my family to show a little extra love. I write little love notes to go in their lunch boxes, as well as send a love-themed treat. Of course you can't enjoy the month of February without Hallmark Channel movies, the go-to destination for romantic movies. It's Where Love Happens! Loveuary is the new February.

 

We are super excited for the last movie premiere in the Hallmark Channel's Loveuary line-up. "Welcome to Mama's" will premiere on Saturday, Feb 26th at 8pm/7c. Welcome to Mama's stars Melanie Scrofano, Daniel di Tomasso and Lorraine Bracco. 

After she inherits an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, manager Amy teams up with a master chef to relaunch the establishment and make her loved ones proud. You'll have to tune in to find out of she cooks up! 

Be sure to enter the Loveuary Sweepstakes where you can show off your heart hands for a chance to win a prize. Also you can grab virtual backgrounds for your Zoom meetings as well as check out some tasty Loveuary recipes. 

I will be cozied up on the couch with my snacks and drinks to watch the premiere. I will be live-Tweeting @momfiles, and hope you will join me! We'll be giving away (1) $50 Visa Gift Card at the end of the movie, so you won't want to miss that.  

We are also happy to offer a reader giveaway for one winner to win (1) $25 Visa Gift Card. We'd love to know what love means to you. Check out the details below to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway  

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on March 7, 2022. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by! 

xoxo, Shelly

Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show Set For New Adventures in Myrtle Beach As 2022 Seasons Starts Feb 18th

Are you heading to Myrtle Beach some time soon?  An exciting experience awaits in Myrtle Beach when visitors take part in the adventure found at Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. The timeless tale of pirate crews, mystical mermaids and much more begins Feb. 18, where the treasures found in the show last on in memories for years to come. 

Buccaneers of all ages love to join Captain Blackbeard and his swashbuckling crew for thrilling acrobatic competitions, spectacular aerial feats and a bountiful pirate’s feast. The daring adventure features sword fights, blazing cannons, graceful mermaids and pirates scaling high above two full-sized pirate ships fighting to win Davy Jones’ coveted sunken treasure. A cavalier crew combines heroics and high-flying fun that will have guests cheering and experiencing thrills around every corner.  The show is an epic battle for lost treasure on land, on deck, and in the water of the show’s 15-foot-deep indoor lagoon. Daring diving dogs, salty sea lions and tropical birds also join in the quest to find Davy Jones’ treasure at “The Most Fun Place to Eat in Myrtle Beach.” 

“For more than a decade, Pirates Voyage has taken our visitors on an adventure to be remembered and relived long after they have left our Buccaneer Bay,” said Paul Brown, General Manager of Pirates Voyage in Myrtle Beach. “This show instills the ‘pirate spirit’ in everyone in the audience as families take part in the fantastic journey with our crew, experience the excitement of a Pirates Voyage together and have fun. And the food alone makes the show one-of-a-kind!” 

The adventure actually starts in the Pirates Village, where the young – and not-so-young – swashbucklers can “join the crew” and be transformed into mermaids and pirates before the main show begins. And as any pirate knows, searching for treasure can work up quite an appetite! So when visitors enter the arena for this swashbuckling spectacular, guests are served a hearty and delicious four-course feast straight from Captain Blackbeard’s galley. The meal begins with voyager creamy vegetable soup and buccaneer bread. The feast fit for a pirate continues with a “half o’ roasted cackler” (chicken), swashbucklin’ sugar-cured ham, cob o’ buttery corn, and a pirate herb-basted potato. Apple o ’me eye pie and unlimited Coca-Cola® products, tea or coffee complete the meal. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available by request.

Pirates Voyage takes guests on a fantastic adventure with beautiful mermaids gracefully performing before diving back into Buccaneer Bay and a crew of characters combining adventure, acrobatics, animals and all things pirate. If you are in search of fun things to do with your family, be sure to check out Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show.  

Show times and reservations are available by calling (843) 497-9700 or visiting www.piratesvoyage.com

About World Choice Investments: Founded in 1988, World Choice Investments, LLC, doing business as Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, The Comedy Barn Theater, and Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café, operates dinner show venues, theaters, and restaurants for family fun and adventure in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Our dinner shows feature special effects, musical productions, live animals and a four-course family feast.

5 Ways To Stay Motivated and Focused During Your Workout

Workouts can improve your health, provide entertainment and boost your mood. However, repetition is common in most exercise routines, so it can be difficult to stay focused. Additionally, life's distractions can slow down your pace and eventually discourage you. Follow these tips to maintain or increase your motivation. 

1. Establish a Plan

As with several activities, a solid workout plan ensures you have a structure to follow and complete. For instance, if you plan on doing a full gym routine, note the machines you will use, the target body parts, the weights and the rest periods. Even if you are doing something as simple as running some laps, you might have to plan elements such as the duration, the lap quantity or your own speed. If you are having difficulty crafting a plan, work with a personal trainer.

2. Bring an Inspiring Playlist

Music can be a great source of concentration and motivation. Energetic music can lift your spirits and inspire you to go through exercise with minimal delays. Create a specialized playlist before your start, since changing music during the workout can do the opposite and distract you. Try to select something with a beat and inspiring lyrics, from hardcore rap and heavy metal to something more upbeat such as the music of Dan Avidan. Complement the earbuds with a hat to also keep your sight focused. 

3. Exercise With a Partner

One fun way you can keep yourself accountable is by completing your routine with a partner. Self-discipline can be difficult, so having someone physically there can help you stay on task. Socializing with a friend, relative or significant other can also motivate you by itself. The only way this technique can work is if you bring in someone trustworthy who is just as passionate about fitness or even more so. If your partner does not take the task seriously, you could be influenced into abandoning the project. 

4. Eat Before and After the Routine

Hunger and thirst could be factors that can drain your energy during your routine. Fuel yourself by eating food rich in carbohydrates before you exercise. Try to have a light meal or a snack between one to three hours before, as eating too much or working out too soon can leave you feeling sluggish. Ideal options include low-fat milk, whole-grain cereal and fruits. Try to eat something with carbohydrates and protein after exercise as well to help your muscles recover and reward yourself for your hard work.

5. Change Your Plan

Though a structure can help you focus during the workout, it also runs the risk of growing monotonous and discouraging. Avoid this feeling by switching up your plan after the first few days. Target different body parts so your body does not get used to the gym sessions. Change the location of a run or go in a different direction. Even minor changes encourage your mind to pay attention and acclimate to new situations.

The physical and mental exhaustion that results from exercise can make it difficult to maintain the effort and enjoy the positives. Use different techniques and resources to raise your stamina and motivation.

8 Romantic Babymoon Stays for A Getaway Before the Family Grows

Hillsboro Beach Resort 

Beautifully nestled on an intimately peaceful peninsula known as “Millionaire’s Mile”, Hillsboro Beach Resort is excited to welcome expecting couples with a complimentary baby rattle and beach tote, as well as a “special cravings” menu for in-room deliveries to satisfy random cravings, including a pickle platter, french fries, ice cream, freshly made cookies, or even a romantic plate of chocolate-dipped strawberries. Future moms will enter the suite to discover a comfortable, breathable maternity beach cover-up from Cotton Natural (perfect for a baby bump photoshoot on the secluded shoreline), bottles of champagne and sparkling cider on ice, and the makings for a rose-scented bath–including soaking salts, a floral bubbling bath bomb, a Pink Himalayan salt scrub, and a whipped body butter–to rejuvenate after a day in the sunshine. Address: 1159 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach, Florida 33062  

Hotel Effie

The glamorous Hotel Effie is home to several culinary concepts by acclaimed Chef Hugh Acheson, a luxurious on-site spa, and the only rooftop pool on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Grab a complimentary Grapefruit Lime Mockgarita with an immunity-boosting dose of vitamin C from the Ara Rooftop Bar and get the star treatment right in your hotel with a free Side-By-Side Massage for future parents at Spa Lilliana, and head to Ovide for a nutritious mommy-friendly, three-course meal of kale salad, free range chicken, and a decadent chocolate dessert (with a special to-go box of Effie’s signature biscuits and house-made potato chips for late-night snacking). Finally, the hotel partners with Coconut Kidz in the Baytowne Wharf so you can pick out a free onesie and toy for your future bundle of joy! Address: 1 Grand Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550 

The Gabriel South Beach 

The view of gentle waves from The Gabriel South Beach is a gorgeous backdrop for quality time before the baby comes. Expecting parents are welcomed by an in-suite bouquet of fresh flowers, balloons, and a plush toy for your future bundle of joy from Fleurs De La Mer. Get comfy with a plush prenatal body pillow and stay in for a baby-themed movie night. The hotel will stream Baby Mama, Nine Months, and What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Best of all, couples receive decadent ice cream carts à la Dalia delivered to their room with flavors like banana dragon fruit, coconut, and pistachio. The restaurant will include personalized favorite toppings upon request, from iron-rich dark chocolate and protein-packed peanut butter and other pregnancy cravings. Address: 640 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 

The Balfour Hotel

The Balfour Hotel is a boutique stay on Ocean Drive steps away from some of South Beach’s best shopping, dining, and entertaining destinations. Along with complimentary beach chairs and plush beach towels, expecting couples receive a picnic basket with all of mom’s pregnancy cravings in tow - this includes, pickles, chocolate and salty potato chips. The culinary team at the hotel’s restaurant Mehzcla will work with the mom-to-be to include craveable foods specific to the mother’s needs.  This package also includes a copy of Growing You: Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Memory Book for Mom and Baby, to document the journey into parenthood. Address: 350 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 

The Gabriel Miami

At The Gabriel Miami, those who are expecting a child can focus on getting prepared for their new bundle of joy. The hotel, which is located in Downtown Miami among many of the city’s cultural attractions, partners with local children’s boutiques to bring the shopping experience directly to your hotel room. The hotel collaborates with local shops like Nini and Loli and Babycottons for parents to choose newborn essentials, including light onesies and sleepers that are made from Pima, Peruvian cotton. After the shopping session, couples can enjoy a private meal by a chef on their hotel balcony while enjoying the panoramic views of Biscayne Bay. Address: 1100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132 

The Marker Key West Harbor Resort 

The Marker Key West is a postcard-perfect stay for future mommies seeking a peaceful resort that’s steps away from Key West’s best attractions. Waiting in the guest room is a maternity bikini by Pink Blush as the hotel has three crystal clear pools that are great for lounging and swimming a few laps for low-intensity exercise. To capture this special time the Marker provides mom-to-be with a private maternity portrait session on the Key West Harbor. This package also includes a curated collection of must-reads during pregnancy, including Bumpin', Expecting Better, Nurture, and What to Eat When You're Pregnant for poolside reading. Address: 200 William St, Key West, FL 33040 

THesis Hotel Miami

THesis Hotel Miami, located in the heart of Coral Gables, is a refined tropical escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Expectant mothers will receive  a private prenatal yoga class with calming meditation and breathwork in collaboration with Wellness @ THesis, and self-care kit by The Honest Company, which includes soaking salts, glow-on body oil, Sweet Curves body lotion and a skin-reviving face mask. To ensure that mom-to-be stays healthy, the team at Orno and Mamey will create a vitamin-rich menu which will boost immunity, milk production and overall wellness. With fresh produce sourced from Niven Patel’s Rancho Patel, moms to be will dine on the ultimate prenatal dinner that is meant to nourish and enjoy. Address: 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146 

Gale South Beach 

Gale South Beach is perfect for future moms seeking a fun day out-and-about in sunny Miami. The hotel partners with Jack and Jill Yoga for a prenatal yoga class included with your stay. Return from a day of scenic South Beach photo-ops and baby shopping to a guest room catered to mom’s comfort with special amenities in-room, including The Snoogle pregnancy pillow, which was designed by a Registered Nurse and Mom to follow the natural contour and shape of your body from head to toe. Use to make sleeping and relaxing more cozy without the extra body heat. Address: 1690 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139