Letter to an Aunt Thanking Her for a Gift

The question

How to approach this informal letter question

An informal letter goes to a friend or relative. Write naturally, with a personal tone, while still covering every bullet point.

1. Start with "Dear [first name]," and a friendly line.
2. Cover each bullet point with personal detail and feelings.
3. Use contractions and everyday expressions, but keep your grammar accurate.
4. Close with "Best wishes," or "Love," and your first name.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Opening: 'Dear' and your aunt's name, then a warm line thanking her for the gift.
2. Paragraph 2: thank her for the jumper and for taking time to choose something for you.
3. Paragraph 3: be honest but kind about the colour and style, and say how you plan to wear it.
4. Paragraph 4: share news about your recent life and ask about her news in return.
5. Closing: send love and sign off with a warm phrase such as 'Love' or 'See you soon'.

Points to cover

• Gift: a chunky knitted jumper in a deep green, which is bolder than the colours you usually wear.
• Honesty: say that you appreciate the effort she made and that the colour is not one you would normally choose.
• Future use: promise to wear it on your next visit to her, or on winter walks when it will be warm.
• News: you have started a new course, moved to a new flat, or taken a short trip with friends.
• Questions: ask how her garden, her holiday or her health is going, so the letter becomes a conversation.

Useful vocabulary

• Thank you so much for: Thank you so much for the jumper, it was so thoughtful of you.
• It was so thoughtful of you to: It was so thoughtful of you to choose it with such care.
• I'm not usually one for bright colours: I'm not usually one for bright colours, but I love the design.
• a bit bolder than I'd normally go for: It's a bit bolder than I'd normally go for, but that is part of its charm.
• I really appreciate: I really appreciate you thinking of me.
• I've been busy with: I've been busy with my new course and weekend walks.
• Let me know how you're getting on: Let me know how you're getting on with the garden.
• It's lovely to hear from you: It's lovely to hear from you, and I hope you are well.
• I'll definitely wear it when I visit: I'll definitely wear it when I visit you next month.

Common mistakes

• Saying directly that the jumper is ugly, which is unkind and breaks the task's tone.
• Thanking her only at the start and not in the closing lines of the letter.
• Spending too long on the jumper and leaving too little room for the news paragraph.
• Pretending you love the colour, which sounds less natural than honest appreciation.
• Omitting a warm closing such as 'Love', which the task's informal register suggests.

Examiner tip: Be honest about the colour in one gentle sentence, then focus on what you genuinely appreciate and move on to your news.