Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

National Stationery Week: 12 best thank you cards

Celebrate National Stationery Week with a handwritten note to show your appreciation. The IndyBest team put pen to paper

Sally Newall,Pippa Bailey

Monday 27 April 2015 17:55 BST

National Stationery Week (27 April- 3 May) is a celebration of the written word and an attempt to get people – especially children – sending more handwritten letters and cards.

IndyBest has taken up the challenge and found some of the nicest ways to say ‘thank you’, whatever your budget or occasion, from kids’ birthday parties to post-wedding missives and from independent designers to the pick of the high street.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

1. Peter Pauper Press Blue Thank-You Card Set: £6.95 for 14, liberty.co.uk

These smart little blue cards with silver detailing, on good quality card, are an elegant way to say “thank you”. The envelopes (you get one spare) have a matching blue flap decorated with the same pattern that’s on the front, making these a treat to find on the doormat.

2. Valerie Valerie Laura Thank-You Note Cards: £12 for eight, johnlewis.com

We’re fans of the delicate, lace-esque design on these cards printed on posh 240gsm paper. They come with blue envelopes, boxed and tied up with a raffia bow – so these ones actually make a nice gift themselves.

3. Ginger Ray Pop Art SuperHero Cards: £3.99 for 10, notonthehighstreet.com

With all the planning that goes into kids’ parties, it’s probably the parents who deserve a thank-you card afterwards. But, it’s only polite to thank guests for pressies, and these pop-art-style A6 note cards are a simple way to do it.

4. Caroline Gardner Thank-You Hearts Cards: £4.95 for 10, carolinegardner.com

This simple but bold set from the popular stationery designer are particularly good value at ten for under a fiver. They’re a little smaller than A6, made from sustainable card and blank inside.

5. Nancy and Betty Studio Typewriter Cards: £14.95 for 12, notonthehighstreet.com

It can be hard to find non-flowery offerings, so these typewriter ones by the Kent-based company caught our eye. The lower case “thank you very much” keeps things nicely untraditional and the we gave bonus points for printing on FSC-approved card, using vegetable-based inks. Available in packs of eight, 20 and 35.

6. Emma Lee Cheng Letter Press Thank-You Cards: £10.50 for six, etsy.com/uk

We found quite a few designs printed using vintage letterpress machines, but it was the attention to detail on these small ones that we liked; the straw-flecked recycled card, the geometric border and the fact you get six colours in a pack.

7. Rifle Paper Co. Breanne Thank-You Cards: £13 for eight, paperchase.co.uk

We love the chalkboard-effect background and hand-illustrated flowers on this set from another Stateside studio. The modern calligraphy and simple colour palette are super-eye-catching and, don’t worry, they’re white inside for easy writing.

8. WHSmith Purple Foiled Thank You Cards: £4.49 for eight, whsmith.co.uk

WHSmith is a go-to for good-value, decent-quality products, like these cards with metallic lettering on brown card with matching brown envelopes. Look out for the three-for-two offer if you have a crowd to thank.

9. Sugar Paper Casual Thank-You Note Set: £22.95 for six, selfridges.com

The US does stationery very well and Los Angeles-based Sugar Paper is one of the masters. It makes a selection of luxe card sets, including this simple but effective design. They’re not cheap, but we reckon the detail – like the cool striped envelope liner – will be appreciated.

10. Meri Meri Ahoy There! Boxed Invites and Thank-You Cards: £12.50 for eight of each,
shopmerimeri.co.uk

It’s two birds, one stone with this set of pirate-themed children’s party invitations and thank-you cards. They’re also available in knights, dinosaurs, cowboys, farm animals, princesses and ballet dancers.

11. Beetroot Press Thank You Cards: £10. 59 for a pack of four, etsy.com/uk

The design on these cards was inspired by London’s famous Columbia Road Flower Market. Whether the recipients have visited it or not, the red roses make a pretty addition to a mantelpiece. They’re made from quality thick white card which makes the colours really pop. Comes with matching white envelopes.

12. Hannah J Designs: £7.50, etsy.com/uk

Surrey-based illustrator, Hannah, is a mum herself and we think her sweet animal designs will really appeal to kids (and big kids) who you want to give a special thank you. Unlike most of those on the list, you get six different designs in a pack featuring her distinctively-drawn bears, rabbits and cats.

Verdict:

For a good-value set of cards in a striking design, we like Caroline Gardner’s bright and cheery cards. If it’s a children’s party you’re dealing with and you want to encourage a young host to thank their guests, Meri Meri’s invitation and card set will get two jobs ticked off your list. And finally, for their simplicity and handmade look and feel, Emma Lee Cheng’s letter press cards are a treat to look at. Plus the fact they come in six colours means there should be one your recipient will like.