Showing another person how much you appreciate them isn’t just a nice thing to do. It’s a meaningful gesture that can strengthen relationships, boost morale, and create a positive and supportive environment. Whether a friend went out of their way to do you a favor, a colleague helped you at work, or a family member provided support in a difficult time, it’s important to acknowledge other people’s efforts and show them how much you care.
There are so many ways to show appreciation. Gestures of gratitude can be big or small—the most important thing is that they convey how thankful you are. Read on to learn our favorite ways to show thanks, or use the links below to jump ahead to a section of your choosing.
- What Are the Best Ways to Show Your Appreciation?
- Tips for Showing Sincere Appreciation
- Ensure Your Appreciation Comes From the Heart
What Are the Best Ways to Show Your Appreciation?
Expressions of gratitude are not one-size-fits-all. There are so many different ways to show thankfulness. These are a few of our favorite ideas:
1. Say “thank you”
Sometimes, showing your appreciation is as simple as saying, “Thank you.” These two little words mean so much. They acknowledge the effort that the other person has put in for you and express that you’re grateful for it. Thanking another person can boost their self-esteem, improve their day, and make them feel valued and seen.
In many cases, saying thank you can have a ripple effect. Once they see how good it feels to be thanked, they’ll be inspired to pass that feeling along. Before you know it, the world may be a more grateful place.
2. Give compliments
Did someone else recently do something to boost your self-esteem? Show your appreciation for the ego boost by returning the favor. Giving a compliment is a great way to express gratitude, especially if you’re complimenting a kindness done to you.
If a coworker helped you on a project, compliment how amazing their portion of the work was. If a friend helped you cook a meal, let them know how delicious it tasted. Compliments are an easy and powerful way to show thankfulness.
3. Give a thoughtful gift
Thoughtful gifts are a symbol of how much a person means to you. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to give an appreciation gift. A simple DIY gift basket is a great way to show your thanks. Fill it with their favorite types of cookies, spa products, or any other goodies they’re sure to love.
If you don’t have time to DIY, choose a pre-made gift basket instead. Have a gift basket filled with original cookies from Mrs. Fields® delivered directly to their door. They’ll be delighted by the surprise and see how much you appreciate them.
4. Write a note of gratitude
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a thank you card. A handwritten note of gratitude is a great way to tell someone exactly how much you appreciate them. It also shows that you’ve taken the care to select a card, put into words how much they mean to you, and deliver it to them. Sometimes, it’s the simplest gestures that mean the most.
5. Offer your time and support
Did someone recently go out of their way for you? A great way to show appreciation is to do the same favor in return. There’s no need to go over the top with an expensive gift.
You can help them complete a project in their home or support them when they’re struggling. You can even offer to babysit their kids for a night. The goal isn't to “pay them back” with a transactional favor, but to do something nice to show how much you appreciate them.
6. Make them something homemade
Show your thankfulness to a friend or family member by making them something homemade with love. You can knit them a scarf, bake them cookies, or create a piece of art for them to display in their home. Even if you’re not a crafty person, a homemade gift can be a meaningful gesture.
Remember: the goal is not perfection. As long as your gift shows that you put in time and effort, the recipient will surely appreciate it.
7. Spend quality time together
Showing your thankfulness doesn’t have to be an over-the-top display of appreciation. In some cases, just spending quality time with the other person is enough. Spend an afternoon together or get dinner and catch up. Spend time learning about what’s going on in their life and offer your support. Quality time is an effective and simple way to demonstrate appreciation.
8. Actively listen to them
There’s an important distinction to make when spending quality time with someone. It’s not just about being in one another’s presence. It’s important to be present when spending time together.
Actively listen to what they’re saying and show that you care. That means trying to put yourself in their shoes and truly understand what they’re going through. Give them your total attention, ask meaningful questions, and take the time to listen.
9. Take the time to call
Sometimes, spending physical time with the person you appreciate simply isn’t possible. In those cases, a phone call is a great way to say thank you. Active listening is key. Put away any distractions and focus on spending time with the person you care about—even if it's over the phone.
10. Make them a scrapbook
Feeling crafty? A scrapbook is a great thank you gift for family, friends, and others you care about. Gather a selection of your favorite photos of them, put together some mementos of your time together, and start scrapbooking. They’ll love looking at it for years to come and remembering how much you mean to them.
11. Provide encouragement
Providing encouragement is a great way to return a meaningful gesture that a friend, family member, or anyone else did for you. Everyone could use a little boost once in a while. Show your appreciation by encouraging them to achieve their goals or get through a hard day. Whether it’s an encouraging phone call or a get-together to hype them up before an intimidating event, some simple encouragement can go a long way.
12. Recognize them publicly
Some acts of gratitude call for a big public gesture. Not only is it meaningful to recognize someone publicly, but it can boost their social standing and positively affect their life. Whether you’d like to share how much they mean to you on social media or throw a party in their honor, public recognition can be a great way to say thanks.
13. Celebrate milestones
Has someone done something kind for you lately? Show how much you appreciate it by cheering them on. Acknowledge birthdays, significant life events, and even work milestones like promotions. Celebrating milestones will make them feel seen, valued, and supported.
14. Take care of a task without being asked
It’s easy to complete a favor that someone asks of you, but taking care of something without being asked shows a different level of gratitude. It says that you see them, think about them, and want to help make their life better. That’s a great way to show your gratitude.
15. Offer them a hug
Hugs provide a simple but effective way to show your gratitude. Hugs not only feel good, but they also have positive effects on our bodies. They may help reduce stress, relax muscles, and reduce pain. Who wouldn’t appreciate that?
Tips for Showing Sincere Appreciation
Remember: showing your appreciation isn’t just about your actions. Follow these tips to show appreciation in a sincere and meaningful way:
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Be specific: Don’t just say, “I appreciate you.” Be precise about what you appreciate someone for and acknowledge what they did for you.
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Don’t think of it as payback: True expressions of gratitude shouldn’t be transactional or a way to make things even. Your appreciation should come from the heart.
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Be present: When expressing your gratefulness to someone, stay in the moment. Show with your body language that what you’re saying is true.
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Be timely: Don’t wait too long to show your appreciation. Be prompt in showing the other person how much their gesture meant to you.
Ensure Your Appreciation Comes From the Heart
Genuine gratitude and thankfulness are feelings that come from the heart. For a gift of appreciation that shows you truly care, there’s no better choice than delicious cookies from Mrs. Fields®. Browse our extensive selection of thank you gifts, from petite cookie samplers to towering boxes filled to the brim with delicious treats. Big or small, a gift from Mrs. Fields® says it all.