Congratulation note
A congratulation note is a brief note offering congratulations for an accomplishment. These notes are useful for achievements that may be smaller but still deserve recognition, like if an employee hit their sales quota for the day. You may create a congratulation note quickly, which can allow you to send several notes out within a short period of time. For example, if several of your colleagues deserve recognition, you can easily create several personalized notes and send them out quickly.
Handwritten letter
A handwritten letter is a formal document that offers praise for an accomplishment. A letter may feel more personal, since it shows that you took "Congratulations, Tom." <-- the OP's examplethe time to write out a meaningful message and send it through direct mail. You may use a handwritten letter to recognize a larger achievement, like if one of your colleagues wins a major
How to write a congratulation letter for an accomplishment
award.Use these steps to help you write a congratulations letter for an
Create a subject
accomplishment:• Congratulatory note for
[recipient's name]
Include a greeting
• Congratulations for [reason]The first line of the letter involves a greeting. Be sure to choose a greeting that has a friendly tone, since congratulations letters involve expressions of gratitude and appreciation. Here are some examples of friendly
greetings:
• Dear Martha
• Good morning Joseph
Open with congratulations
• Hello SusanIncluding a congratulatory sentiment may help your colleague feel recognition for their achievement. Be sure to include congratulations in the opening sentence. Here are some
examples of congratulations:• I would like to offer my
congratulations on [reason].• Congratulations on achieving
[reason].• Congratulations on completing
Include details about the accomplishment
[project]. After your greeting, include specific details about the accomplishment. This may include the date the accomplishment took place, the benefits of the accomplishment or details on how the accomplishment impacts the company. You may also acknowledge the work that they put in or the challenges they faced to achieve the
Add a closing
accomplishment.In the closing of your letter, include another brief congratulations. At the end of your letter, include your name and job title. If you're sending a handwritten letter, include your signature below your name. Here are some examples of friendly
closings:
• Best wishes
• Sincerely
• Best regards
Tips for writing a congratulation letter
• CongratulationsHere are some tips for writing
Send the message within 24 hours
a congratulations letter:Try sending a congratulations letter within 24 hours of the accomplishment. This ensures that the letter is relevant when the recipient receives it. If you send the letter after 24 hours, be sure to state the date that the accomplishment took place on. For example, if a colleague received an award a week ago, you might include a sentence in your letter that says, "Congratulations on receiving your award on
Congratulations letter template
Thursday, July 29."Here are templates for each type
Congratulations note
of congratulations message:Subject: Congratulation note for
[recipient's name]
Dear [recipient's name],
Best wishes,
[Job title]
Subject: Congratulations to [recipient's name]
Dear [recipient's name],It's exciting to witness your professional growth. This accomplishment is proof that you can continue achieving
[detail on growth].
Best regards,
Congratulations letter
[Job title]
Dear [recipient's name],I am sending this letter to congratulate you on [accomplishment]. I know that this accomplishment required [type of skills], and it's clear that you have put in the hard work to make
this accomplishment happen.Our company is lucky to have someone who [reason] and [reason]. Your accomplishment will make a positive impact at our company and in your professional growth. Congratulations again on your accomplishment and I wish you all the best as you advance higher in your
career.
Best wishes,
[Signature]
Congratulations note
[Job title]Here is an example of a congratulations note for a colleague hitting
their sales quote: Subject: Congratulation note for
Tracy
Dear Tracy,I am writing this note to congratulate you on hitting your daily sales quota. It's clear that you have put in the hard work and dedication to obtain each sale and ensure that customers receive proper care throughout the sales transaction. Your accomplishment can help our company increase our average sales numbers and grow our sales department. Congratulations again, and I am excited to witness
your continued success.
Best wishes,
Adam Young
Sales associateSubject: Congratulations to Maggie for your recent
promotion
Dear Maggie,It's exciting to witness your professional growth. This accomplishment is proof that you can continue helping employees achieve success
in their careers.
Best regards,
Sarah Hill
Handwritten letter
Production assistantHere is an example of a handwritten letter for a colleague who recently received an Employee of the
Month award:
Dear Evan,I am sending this letter to congratulate you on receiving our company's Employee of the Month award yesterday. I know that this accomplishment required excellent interpersonal skills, and it's clear that you have put in the hard work to make
this accomplishment happen.Our company is lucky to have someone who interacts positively with others and facilitates employee engagement by reaching out to others. You make a positive impact on our company by creating a fun and caring work environment. Congratulations again on your accomplishment and all the best Love and congratulations,[Your Name(s)][Couple's Names],
The greatest hope
a parent has
for their child
Mention both names.
is that they find a partner to travel through life with. Today, my daughter/son gains that partner and I gain a son/daughter. What a wonderful moment for our family, and for the one that you two have now begun. May everything that comes next be as filled with joy as this day is.All my love,
Make sure it's not generic.
Mom and/or DadYou are correct. The winner's name is an appositive—the object "you" is implied in "congratulations." If it were a complete sentence, without any elements elided, it would be something like "We wish you, Dave, congratulations."Is there a reason why the winner's name wouldn't be considered to be a vocative?In other words, wouldn't the name
Be careful with humor.
"Tom" in these following examples be considered to be a vocative?"Hello, Tom.""Please open the door, Tom.""Good job, Tom."the relationship, and, though it should go without saying: no divorce jokes.
Get personal.
The better you know them, the more personal the card can be. Go with a I wish you as you advance higher in your career.Best wishes,
Bring your card to the ceremony.
Reagan AdamsAssociate researcherWhen writing wedding wishes, the most important thing to remember is to make out the card to both members of the couple. "If you know the bride, don’t make the mistake of addressing something very personal to just her," says Meier. "Now that she is married, the contents of the card should be relevant to both of the newlyweds."Always include a note beyond what is pre-written on the
Hand it to the right person.
inside. "Never just sign your name under a Hallmark message," says Meier. "If you’re short on words, say that in your writing. Try: ‘I found this card, and these words were exactly how I felt.’ That gives added emphasis to the card itself."Sarcasm on paper can be hard to read without a smiley face or exclamation point. Avoid topics that could be sensitive to the couple, such as money or length of they would be wearing. They would likely have a suit with pockets, whereas the mothers or maid of honor likely have memory that involves the couple. Sign-offs can be full of love; Meier’s favorites include: "XOXO," "Elated for you," "Over the moon
Go with a check, not cash.
for you," and "Madly in love with you two." You should never show up to someone’s home without a token of appreciation for being hosted, and the same goes for weddings. "It’s a nice gesture that shows gratitude for being
Send one even if you can't attend.
invited," Meier says. This remains true even if you’ve already sent a gift to the couples’ home or contributed to a honeymoon fund. "I would write in the card: ‘We hope you enjoy the gift we sent to your home,’" says Meier. That way, you’re tactfully acknowledging that a gift accompanied your card.
Wedding Card Examples
If, upon arrival at the ceremony, you do not see a gift station or card box, seek out the wedding planner or venue manager. They’ll ferry your card to the
For a Couple You Don't Know Well
bridal suite or
another designated place for safe-keeping. No event professional on hand? Give your card to one of
the fathers of
the couple, or the best
For a Co-Worker or Employee
man. "The reason has
nothing to do with gender," Meier says. "It’s about what share in this special day! May your marriage be filled with success and happiness.
Best wishes,
[Your Name(s)]
a tiny evening purse or no pockets at all."Planning on including a monetary gift with your card? "If cash gets misplaced, that’s it," says Meier. "But if you give a check, you can track
For a Religious Couple
it. If you see, two months after
the wedding, that the check has not been cashed, you can make sure the couple received it."If you’re invited to
the wedding but
unable to attend, feel free to
For a Close Friend
mail your card
anytime between when you receive your invitation and a few weeks after the big day. There’s no real-time limit on telling a couple how happy you are for them.Unsure of what to say when it comes to specific relationships? Here are some specific guidelines from Meier of what
to write in
a wedding card.
For a Sibling
Dear [Couple's Names],
Congratulations on your wedding day. I wish you a lifetime of health and happiness.Best regards,[Your Name(s)]Dear [Couple's Names],Thank you for inviting me to me these past few years, and today, I couldn’t be happier to officially call you my sister-in-law. Welcome to the family! I’m so happy for you both.
You don’t have to
be professional in
For a Child
verbiage, but keep things
more formal. Avoid "love" in your sign-off, even if you are close. "May you live happily ever after," "Wishing you endless love and happiness," and "Wishing you happiness and health," works perfectly here.Dear [Couple's Names],Many prayers for a happy and healthy union. May God bless you and grant you all of life’s joys together.With love,[Your Name(s)]Dear [Couple's Names],I should have known the first time I caught
you playing footsie
underneath the table
in our college cafeteria that we’d end up here one day. From late-night library sessions to even later-night McDonald’s runs, it’s been such a joy adventuring through life with
you these past seven years. Here’s to seventy more.XOXO,[Your Name(s)]
To the newlyweds—I’ll never forget that first Thanksgiving when Everett let his new girlfriend
take the last
slice of pumpkin pie without complaining. I knew something
was different then, and now, here we are! Lindsey, you’ve been like
a sister to