Can I send a thank you email instead of a physical card?

A thank you email works in some situations and falls short in others, so the medium should match the relationship and the occasion.

• Email is fine for quick business follow-ups after a meeting or call, where speed matters most.
• A physical card is expected for weddings, showers, sympathy, holidays, graduation gifts, and other formal occasions.

Handwritten notes on quality paper carry an emotional weight that a screen cannot match. When the moment is personal, the effort of a mailed card is part of the message.