Doesn't it feel good to give thanks? Keep up your attitude of gratitude beyond Thanksgiving day.
Thank You Very Much!
While a thank-you note is always a good idea, sometimes it's fun to include something extra. Try using homemade thank-you cards, sending a photo or video, or giving flowers from the garden to show your gratitude.
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
We’ve all heard of the importance of writing a thank-you note to acknowledge receipt of a gift and our appreciation of the time and effort that went into its selection. However, sometimes it’s fun to extend our gratitude a little further with more creative ways to say thanks. This is especially important considering a thank-you is more than simply an act of etiquette — it’s a way to build a relationship.
Send a Picture
A picture can be worth a thousand words when it comes to gratitude. This is certainly true with a thank-you card. “Send a photo of yourself wearing the gift with a big smile on your face,” suggests Mary Mitchell, president of The Mitchell Organization in Seattle and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Etiquette (third edition). In the case of children, a photo of them playing with the gift can be a great way to show thanks.
Bake Some Treats
Give your thanks an extra boost by including some homemade cookies, cupcakes, muffins, or bread along with a handwritten note. Acknowledge the effort of that thoughtful friend, neighbor, or family member with something sweet to eat. A decorated muffin tin or basket with a cute napkin makes a perfect container. Including the recipe for your treat, especially if it is unique, can be an extra way of showing gratitude.
Give a Bouquet
Whether it’s a single stem or a lush bouquet, giving flowers can be a thoughtful way to convey thanks for a gift or kind deed. Clip some flowers from your yard, if you have one, instead of a professional arrangement. A few flowers can fit nicely into an old vinegar bottle or other container from around your house. Tie a ribbon around the “vase” or around the stems themselves if making a whole bouquet. Don’t forget a thank-you note to go along with them.
'Steal' From the Newspaper
“Sometimes I find perfect headlines in newspapers mentioning people who have the same name as my friends,” says Mitchell. “I cut them out and save them for the right occasion.” Another way she shows her gratitude is to cut out cartoons she sees that remind her of certain people and include them with a thank-you note when the need arises.
Give a Gift Card
Spending a lot on a gift card is not necessary when saying thanks — a small token amount will be appreciated. A perfect example is giving a gas card to a friend or family member who did the driving to an event. Even if there’s not an exact correlation between the gift card and the deed, it is still a thoughtful way to show your gratitude, especially in challenging economic times. “I loved a thank-you note I received that included a Starbucks gift card and read ‘Thanks a latte!,’” says Jodi R.R. Smith, president and founder of Etiquette Consulting in Boston, and author of From Clueless to Class Act: Manners for the Modern World.
Shoot a Video
This is a great way to show thanks and express gratitude, especially for a gift that was sent by a loved one who couldn’t give it in person at a party or other event. “Friends and family members who live far away love to be a part of the celebration,” says Amy Stevens, owner of Etiquette Southwest Missouri in Joplin. “Create a short video of the party as both a thank-you gift and a keepsake for family.” Your video can be sent through the mail, emailed, or posted online.
Make Your Own Thank-You Note
Who says a thank-you note has to be store-bought and generic? Grown-ups and kids alike can express their creativity — and gratitude — with a homemade thank-you card. Adults can use stamps and scrapbooking supplies while kids can decorate with everything from markers and glitter to stickers and paint. It’s also fun to use kids’ fingerprints and handprints as an added personalized touch.
Create a Photo Album
Making your own photo album is a great way to say thanks. Buy an inexpensive photo book and fill it with pictures the recipient would enjoy. Family members far away might like photos of events they missed, while an outdoor enthusiast might appreciate pictures of nature. Leaving some empty pages at the end is always a good idea so that more photos can be sent at a later date and easily added. Be sure to tuck in a handwritten thank-you note as well.
Give an IOU
Sometimes one good turn deserves another. Next time an expression of gratitude is in order, try providing an IOU ("I owe you") along with that thank-you card. Depending on the recipient, the IOU could be for anything from mowing the lawn or cleaning the house to a night out on the town. Design and print your IOU coupon on the computer or draw it by hand.
Show You're Thinking About Them
Nothing makes a person feel more special than knowing someone is thinking of her. Along with an expression of thanks, send a little something chosen uniquely for him. “Send a book that will help them with an issue they are going through,” suggests Demetria Pappas, co-owner of Mother, May I in Pittsburgh, “or call them about a news [item] that you know will interest them.”
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