Here are 10 creative ways to say thank you.
1. Tell them why you are grateful
You want to express your thanks in a very specific way by mentioning what you appreciated most when you were in need. Maybe it was a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear. Don’t be afraid to express that more fully like the people in the video below. This is so much better than merely saying “thank you.”
2. Make a donation in their name
Maybe you know what charity your friend holds dear. Offering a donation in their name will be really appreciated and will spread a little bit of kindness.
3. Gift some learning
Find out what new expertise, languages, or practical skills they would really like to try out. Gift them a course. There are over 30,000 courses on the Udemy site if they are not sure what is available or if they need some ideas. Whether it is coding skills, cookery lessons, or writing an ebook, you can easily find one which suits your budget and their passion.
4. Use more expressive words
You may not have the money or time to invest in a gift or token, but there are lots of creative ways to say “thank you.” Send a text, card, or email, using some of these ideas. They are definitely more creative expressions!
You = awesome. Me = grateful. Move over, Gates, there’s a new philanthropist in town. You’re a lifesaver. Literally. Is there no limit to your awesomeness? Thank you! You are at the top of the kind-o-meter. Enjoy the fame!
5. Send them a selfie
Maybe you are too busy or too far away to express your gratitude in a tangible way. Send them a selfie of you smiling. That’s your gratitude in a pic. Send it by email or on your smartphone. You are smiling and that says it all. You are guaranteed to make your friend smile too!
6. Take action
Show your gratitude by rolling up your sleeves and doing something that is really creative or useful. This might be doing the shopping, preparing a meal, baking a cake, washing the car, mowing the lawn, or doing the dishes. At work, you can run a meeting or take on an extra gig to give your generous colleague a break.
7. Try listening
As a way of saying “thank you,” you can be the shoulder to be cried on and listen to your friend’s sorrows, rants, and frustrations. This can be a more practical way of showing your appreciation and that you really care.
8. Send an IOU card
Make your own funny card and send an IOU coupon. It can be anything from a dinner in a favourite restaurant or offering to babysit. Writing it down makes it more official and shows you are really sincere in expressing your thanks.
9. Make it go viral
This is a great way to be creative, provided your friend or loved one is really into social media. You want to let the world know how grateful you are. You could always post a story about your friend on your Twitter, or Facebook account. You could also make them a YouTube video.
10. Write a thank you note
Whether your friend is into social media or not, a handwritten note can make a truly sincere impact, as it is now almost a lost art. Taking a pen to paper and writing down how (and why) you feel grateful is a wonderful way of expressing your appreciation. In addition, the presence of a tangible object like a card beats friends and “likes” on Facebook, any day! Featured photo credit: November 13th – Iam grateful, I am happy, I am home! / via flickr.com
