Thank you.
Those two little words can mean so much.
Sometimes just saying the words alone is enough but other times it feels like saying ‘thank you’ does not quite express our gratitude.
There are many reasons why you may want to express your thanks in a bigger way. Perhaps a friend helped you move house, or someone has helped you through an emotional spot in your life. Or maybe they have surprised you with a gift you didn’t expect.
I love giving people thank-you gifts. It’s always such a joy to surprise someone with an unexpected treat. Even little gestures can make someone feel so appreciated.
Whatever the reason, these creative ways to say thank you will help you share your feelings of appreciation.
RELATED: CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU
1. Write a Thank You Letter
Yep, not a text or even an email. An actual letter. That goes in the post. Letter writing is kind of a lost art these days, which makes it more special to receive one. It shows how much time and effort you have put in. Make the letter specific and heartfelt for a more meaningful result. Get to the heart of the matter with how much you appreciate the person and what they have done for you. Send it on beautiful notepaper and obviously handwrite it, no typed letters allowed! Savour the process, use a nice pen, and take your time to express your emotions. When writing it keep in mind that they may come to treasure this letter and these words so write with care.
2. Surprise Notes
If you live with them, a cute idea is to pop little notes all around the house with sweet messages of thanks. In the kitchen cupboards. In their trouser pockets. And on the bathroom mirror.
3. Chocolate (Is Always a Good Idea!)
Surprise them with their favourite chocolate bar or sweets and a tuck in a little note. For a personalised touch, grab a bar of chocolate and make your own wrapper that says thank you. Even a plain piece or paper and a simple drawing will be a sweet gift. A little note that says ‘thank you for being so sweet’ is, well, very sweet!
4. Lunch Box Surprise
Add something special to their lunch box while they’re not looking. It will be a nice surprise when they open it up at lunch time. A little chocolate bar, crisps or their favourite snack are good ideas. And of course, a little note.
5. Send Flowers
Flowers are always a welcome gift. Try one of these creative ways to say thank you with flowers:
- Paper mâché bouquet. Bonus: they won’t die after a week!
- Paper mâché vase. And a bunch of fresh flowers
- Paper rose
- Tiny polymer clay flower in a mini jar
6. Get Them a Plant
Plants are great because they last much longer than flowers and you can decorate the pot. Or bundle a few seed packets together and pop in a box with a cute note that says ‘Thank you for helping me grow’. Awwwwww!
7. Gift Inside a Matchbox
Give them a cute ‘thank you’ matchbox with a tiny gift inside. This tiny gift packs a huge punch with the cuteness factor.
SHOP Printable Matchbox Craft Kits
8. Send a Card
Just like letters, sending handwritten cards in the post is getting less popular. So, it will be a lovely surprise to see your card on the doormat when the post comes. Make the card yourself for that extra special touch. And for the wow factor go for a pop up card.
9. Gift Card
Give them a gift card so they can treat themselves. Whatever their interests chances are there’s a gift card for it. Whether their passion is books, music, or fashion, give them something that you know they will love. Even a gift card for a coffee shop is a nice way to say thank you. And it doesn’t have to be boring if you present it in a creative way. For the coffee gift card, you could make a card in the shape of a takeaway coffee cup with a message that says, ‘thank you, have a coffee on me’. Gift cards are a great idea for businesses when thinking about creative ways to say thank you.
10. Experience Voucher
Say thank you by spoiling them with a nice treat. Perhaps a spa afternoon, back massage, or nail treatment. Something that allows them to be pampered for a couple of hours will make them feel special.
11. Surprise Trip
Sometimes the only way to say thank you is with a bigger gesture. And a surprise trip is definitely a big gesture. But it doesn’t have to be expensive. A surprise trip doesn’t have to mean an exotic excursion thousands of miles away. It could even be in your own town. Create an itinerary for the day and pretend that you’re tourists. Take in some of the free attractions if you’re on a budget. Have a spot of lunch. For an added luxury book an overnight hotel stay. Do this on a weekday for a better deal and less crowds.
12. A Hotel Experience
Give them a hotel experience without leaving your own home. Start the day by cooking them a special breakfast. Let them make their choices the night before with a sign that they hang on the door. Then, after a leisurely morning in bed watching tv, they could have a long bath with some special products that you have added to the bathroom. Maybe a nice bath bomb and some candles. Fluffy towels are a bonus! You could heat them up, so they are warm just as they get out of the bath. In the afternoon you could give them a back massage, foot soak or paint their nails. PJs and dressing gowns are encouraged! And we all know what’s great about hotels, don’t we? Room service! Give them a menu and bring them their meal on a tray just like the pros.
RELATED: HOW TO CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY
13. Booze
Say thank you with wine. Or beer. Or any other tipple of their choice. You could buy them a special bottle or take them out for a couple of drinks at your local. Give a budget bottle of plonk a makeover by adding your own label.
14. Cookies and Cake
Cookies and cake, need I say anymore? Always welcome. Make their favourite flavour muffins or whip up a batch of freshly made cookies. Go the extra mile by personalising the cookies with stamped icing or piping on a message. Pop in a nice box or tin.
15. You’re a Star
Let them know how much they have helped you by giving them a star.
- Name a star after them.
- Star badge
- Tiny box with a tiny clay star inside
- Jar of tiny paper stars
16. Return The Favour
Let them know that you will happily return the favour of their help. This works well for when people have helped you with things like decorating or moving house. Give them an IOU with the offer of helping them when they’re next in need.
17. You’re My Rock
Let them know just how much they have helped you by saying thank you with a rock. Yes, a rock. Wait and see, it’s much better than it sounds! Add a message that says ‘thank you for being my rock’ or ‘you’re my rock’ to these cute DIY creations:
- A painted rock
- Gemstones such as amethyst
- Semi-precious jewellery
- Add a couple of rocks to a box frame and make them look like people with googly eyes.
There are many ways that you can say thank you. When the words are just not enough, turn to these creative ways to say thank you. From writing heartfelt letters of thanks, to surprise trips and tiny handmade flowers, these ideas will surely bring a smile to their face. Show them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are by combining actions with words.
