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This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 246,262 times.
Letters are a great way to let your friend know you're thinking of them, and ending a letter is a pretty simple process! Wrap up what you want to say with a concluding paragraph. Choose a common closing or a directive closing that reflects how you're feeling towards the person. Follow that up with your signature and postscript, if you'd like.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Adding a Concluding Paragraph
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1Signal you're ending the letter in the final paragraph. In the last paragraph, wrap up the letter. With an informal letter, that mainly means writing something about how you'd like them to write back or how you hope to visit.[1]
- Add something like "Thanks for writing. I hope to see you soon."
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2Summarize anything you want your friend to remember. The final paragraph is a good place to repeat any important information. That way, it's fresh on their mind as they finish reading your letter.
- For instance, you might write, "Remember, we'll be there on Saturday at 8 a.m. sharp. Be dressed to impress!"
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3Try to end on a positive note. People like to here something good at the end. It will leave them feeling glad they read your letter! Of course, if you're giving them bad news in the letter, it may not be appropriate to end it with a cheering note at the end, so use your best judgment.[2]
- For instance, you could say something like, "I plan to come soon for a visit. I can't wait to see you!"
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:
Picking a Common Closing
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1Use a simple "Love" for a close friend. This closing is a classic one, and it usually won't stand out. It will just let the other person you're thinking of them with love.[3]
- You can also use "With love" or "Love always" for a few variations.
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2Try "Affectionately" or "Fondly" for a good friend. If you're not comfortable using "Love" with a friend, these closings can convey affection, too. They tell the other person that you are glad they're your friend.[4]
- You could also use "Hugs" or "Yours."
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3Choose "As Always" or "Kind Regards" for an acquaintance. If you're friendly with the person but not close friends, you may not want to use "Love" or even "Affectionately." "As always" and "Kind regards" are friendly without being too informal.[5]
- Other options include "As ever" or "Warm regards." "Until next time" would also work well.
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4Try "See you soon" if you will be with your friend in person soon. This closing is simple and direct, and it helps end on a positive note. You're showing them that you're looking forward to visiting them.[6]
- You could also say "See you shortly" or "See you on Sunday!"
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5Pick "Gratefully" if you're thanking your friend for something. Sometimes, you may also be thanking the person on your letter. In that case, ending with "Gratefully" may be appropriate.[7]
- You could also do "Thankfully yours" or "Gratefully yours"
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6Choose "Later Gator" for something silly. Silly can be fun sometimes! If you're friend would appreciate it, there's no reason not to close a letter with something a little silly.[8]
- You could also use "Later Vader," "Only you can prevent forest fires," "Confusion to our enemies," "Yours till pigs fly," "Stay tuned," or "After awhile crocodile."
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:
Ending with a Directive Closing
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1Let your friend know you're thinking about them with "Take care." If you're concerned about your friend, this closing lets them know you want them to be good to themselves.[9]
- You could also use "Take it easy" or "Take care of yourself." "Kind thoughts" would also work here.
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2Wish your friend well with "Have a nice day." By ending with this closing, you're encouraging your friend to enjoy themselves. That's never a bad way to end a letter![10]
- You could also use "Have a great weekend!"
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3Write "Enjoy" if you're including a recipe or gift. Maybe you slipped in a bookmark, a gift card, or some other small gift. "Enjoy" tells the other person that you hope they like your gift and will have fun with it.[11]
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4Use "Stay as you are" to show you like the person as they are. This closing is a sweet way to say how much you like your friend. They are great and don't need to change![12]
- While not directive, you could also use "You're amazing" or "You're awesome."
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5Pick "Be safe" if you're worried about the person. Maybe your friend is traveling or they are on their own a lot. This closing lets them know you worry about their safety, and you want them to watch out for themselves.[13]
- You could also use "Stay safe" or "Watch out for yourself."
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:
Using a Signature and a Postscript
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1Use a comma after your closing. With any closing, you'll usually include a comma directly after it. If it's something emphatic, you can use an exclamation point instead.[14]
- For instance, you would write your closing like one of the following examples:
- Love,
- Stay safe,
- Sincerely
- Affectionately,
- Stay as you are!
- For instance, you would write your closing like one of the following examples:
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2Sign your name after skipping a line. Leave a blank line between the closing and your signature. Since you're sending it to a friend, just your first name is usually fine for a signature.[15]
- You can also use a nickname if the person usually calls you by it.
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3Add a postscript if you forgot something in your letter. Postscripts, indicated by a "P.S" after your signature, were originally a way to include something in a handwritten letter that you'd forgotten. You can't just go back and add something because there's no space. However, they're even used in typed letters and emails nowadays, as a way to add a little fact or fun directive.[16]
- For example, you might write, "P.S. You'd better write me back goofball!" if your friend isn't great about sending mail back.
- Alternatively, you could try, "P.S. I hope this letter gets there before I do!"
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Letter-Writing Help
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References
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-end-a-letter.html
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-end-a-letter.html
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-end-a-letter.html
- ↑ https://mamachee.com/2010/07/01/normal-funny-unique-and-loving-ways-to-end-your-letters-notes-e-mails-conversations-tweets-posts/
- ↑ https://mamachee.com/2010/07/01/normal-funny-unique-and-loving-ways-to-end-your-letters-notes-e-mails-conversations-tweets-posts/
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-end-a-letter.html
- ↑ https://mamachee.com/2010/07/01/normal-funny-unique-and-loving-ways-to-end-your-letters-notes-e-mails-conversations-tweets-posts/
- ↑ https://mamachee.com/2010/07/01/normal-funny-unique-and-loving-ways-to-end-your-letters-notes-e-mails-conversations-tweets-posts/
- ↑ https://mamachee.com/2010/07/01/normal-funny-unique-and-loving-ways-to-end-your-letters-notes-e-mails-conversations-tweets-posts/
- ↑ http://emilypost.com/advice/writing-personal-letters/
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-end-a-letter.html
About This Article
Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. This article has been viewed 246,262 times.
Co-authors: 4
Updated: August 19, 2022
Views: 246,262
Categories: Friends
Article SummaryX
To end a letter to a friend, write out something positive in the last paragraph to leave your friend with a good feeling. For instance, you could say, “I plan on coming for a visit soon. I can’t wait to see you!” If it’s a close friend, follow this with an affectionate salutation like “Fondly” or “With love.” Alternatively, write a more casual salutation like “See you shortly” or “Take care.” For a fun salutation try saying something silly like, “Later Gator!” Finally, put a comma after the salutation, then skip a line and sign your name. To learn how to add a “P.S.” note at the end of your letter, read on!
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