thank you notes with awful handwriting

KsBirdie

I'm writing my thank you notes for my bridal shower. My handwriting is absolutely terrible.

In all seriousness, every time I give  handwritten card to a friend their facial expression goes from smiling to extreme confusion and furrowed brows when trying to read it! i almost always have to step in and decode!

I had a thought--whileI will definitely hand-write every thank you card with a personalized message, I was thinking about including printed inserts that said something like:

Dear (recipient's name here),

My handwriting is absolutely terrible. Please know that I have (sadly) put the utmost effort into making the card legible. But in case it is not, the following chicken scratches are me trying to thank you for the (gift here).

So sorry for the terrible handwriting and I hope you will be able to make bits and pieces out of it!

Since this would be in addition to the handwritten notes, would this be weird or tacky? i just want to empahsize that absolutely everyone will receive a handwritten note, this woudl just be an addition! 

pkontk

I don't know if that would be a good idea, it might be a bit awkward.

Have you tried slowing down your writing process?  I'm sure you want to get the TYs out and done with, but I suggest sitting down and making a big effort with each letter in the name of legibility.  It might take longer, but then you won't have to print up the inserts either.

daveANDkristen

TBH, while your heart is obviously in the right place I think that including a note would be a little weird.  Just take your time and do the best you can.  When it comes time for wedding TY notes, your new H should help if he has better handwriting!

Maggie0829

Just don't.  That is extremely weird and tacky.  Anytime I get a thank you note I am certainly not judging the handwriting.

andrea2473

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_thank-you-notes-with-awful-handwriting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:57fa0d84-8729-4961-8c93-fc0b674825a4Post:2b99a82f-c1c0-4e14-b6f8-175b063e1ae0">Re: thank you notes with awful handwriting</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know if that would be a good idea, it might be a bit awkward. Have you tried slowing down your writing process?  I'm sure you want to get the TYs out and done with, but I suggest sitting down and making a big effort with each letter in the name of legibility.  It might take longer, but then you won't have to print up the inserts either.
Posted by pkontk[/QUOTE]

I agree with everything here.  My H has TERRIBLE, illegible handwriting.  However, if he slows down and really tries, it's not too bad.   If it drags out the process too much, just tackle a few a day until they are done, depending on how many you have to write.  

tpender13

Have you tried writing in all capital letters? Sometimes that can be easier to read if a person has awful handwriting, partly because it forces you to write a little slower. I agree with PPs that the insert sounds really weird.

MrsL2014

As others have said, try slowing down while writing them out. Maybe try a thicker pen when writing. My brother had pretty bad handwriting and they were told to get him thicker pens and they seemed to help him.

Also, people know it is a thank you note, and they know it is from you. They will try to read it i am sure, but if they dont get every word, they still know you are thanking them for the gift.

The only think I would recommend getting some friends help with or doing labels is on the addressing the envelopes. It might be a bit hard for the post office to get them to who they are supposed to go to if they cant figure out what the address is.

Megbo2012

I didn't vote because I don't think it's tacky, but I wouldn't do it. They will know that it's from you and a thank you note. I also suggest slowing down and taking your time when you do them.

smartlypretty

I would find this extremely odd, sorry.

Are you writing in cursive? If so, don't do that. Print- and write each letter very slowly and carefully. It'll take forever, but at least it'll be legible. 

dumdumfroggie

Yeah, no.

If your handwriting is really that bad, just print them all.

Hand print, I mean.

Summer2011Bride

I agree with everyone else. I wouldn't do it. I would find that so odd if I opened a TY note to see that. I know people with bad handwriting but if they take their time and make a concerted effort, it is legible. Everyone will know it's a TY note from you, and most would overlook handwriting that is messy or not perfect (having said that, still try to slow down and make it as neat as you can).

AceTT

Ditto PPs:

Do NOT send that insert. It's just awkward.

Slow down your writing.

Write in print, not cursive.

Even if your handwriting is truly 100% illegible, as long as the thank you card has "Thank You" on the front and they can read your signature or at least the return address with your name on it, they will know the sentiment is there and will appreciate the handwritten note.

achiduck

I would find a typed insert very strange. I had a friend who had terrible printing (seriously, we went to high school together and I made the mistake of borrowing her notes after being sick for a few days and almost failed my chemistry exam b/c it was unreadable and wrong).

Sounds like it's time for H to help out with wedding stuff. Have him write half of them and slow down as much as possible when writing the notes. My printing can get kind of messy if I write too fast so just take your time. Aim to knock off a few a day so so you don't feel overwhelmed.

MrsKathyC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_thank-you-notes-with-awful-handwriting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:57fa0d84-8729-4961-8c93-fc0b674825a4Post:aae78383-8459-4e56-8e43-630f8a9cf941">Re: thank you notes with awful handwriting</a>:
[QUOTE]I would find this extremely odd, sorry.<strong> Are you writing in cursive? If so, don't do that.</strong> Print- and write each letter very slowly and carefully. It'll take forever, but at least it'll be legible. 
Posted by smartlypretty[/QUOTE]

I disagree with this part.  My cursive is much better than printing.  Whichever works better for you (cursive or printing) just take your time, it'll be fine!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

If your husband has better writing, have him write the notes, while you put together a list of people and gifts, print out labels for the envelopes (labels are okay in this situation) and stuff and stamp the envelopes.

Avion22

Take your time and write slowly. Make sure you are sitting at a good writing surface like a desk or table, use a ballpoint pen, and write a little bit bigger than you normally do (sometimes handwriting is hard to read because the letters are too small and run together. My handwriting isn't great, so I don't judge people....I definitely appreciate it when others make the effort to write by hand because I know it's a challenge.

ceceibson

I, too, have terrible handwriting.  It doesn't just look awful, it's truly painful for me to write.

When I took the bar exam 24 years ago, it was all essay.  Five four-hour segments, 7 essays written in each.  I spent as much time testing pens and practicing writing as I did studying.

I've been doing the same thing lately, in anticipation of writing thank-yous.