How to: the questions people ask most guides

Straight answers to the questions that come up across the guides - apologies, thank yous, sign-offs, envelopes, postage and saying no. There are 8 guides in this section, all free to read and copy from.

Every one is written for a specific moment rather than in general, so pick the closest fit and take the lines you need.

• How to write a sorry message
  A four-part structure for an apology, with examples and the phrases that ruin one.
• How to write a thank you message
  A three-line formula for thank yous, with examples for gifts, money and help.
• How to sign off a card
  Forty card endings sorted by relationship, plus how to sign from a couple or family.
• How to word a group card
  How to organise, lay out and word a card twenty people have to sign.
• How to address a card envelope
  UK envelope layout, titles for couples and families, and hand-delivered cards.
• How to post a card in the UK
  Letter versus Large Letter, stamps, and how far ahead to post a card.
• How to choose a birthday card
  Matching card tone to the person, milestone ages, and what to avoid.
• How to decline an invitation politely
  Twenty-five polite ways to say no, from weddings to work events.

Other guide topics

• Best of: cards and gifts
• What to write in a card
• Messages by recipient
• Sorry, etiquette and awkward moments
• How much to spend
• Jokes and humour
• Puns and wordplay
• Rhymes, poems and quotes
• Riddles and quizzes
• Games and activities
• Party planning
• Decorations and how-to
• Fancy dress and themes
• Family milestones
• Celebrations
• Work and colleagues
• Speeches and toasts
• Cheering someone up
• Feel-good reading
• Christmas and seasonal
• Secret Santa
• Festivals and world celebrations
• Christenings and faith milestones
• Charity and fundraising
• Badges and pins
• Card design and how cards work

Back to all guides

Where to shop next

• All guides
• Card ideas
• Gift shop: anniversary cards, gifts and party games
• Browse all cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

How many how to: the questions people ask most guides are there?

There are 8 in this section, and the full directory has 283 guides across 27 topics.

Are these free to use?

Yes. Copy any message, joke or checklist straight into a card or a party plan. You do not need to buy anything.