5 Unique Ways to Say Thank You

Saying thank you is a universal way of showing appreciation.

We are all so committed to the habit of saying “Thank You” rather quickly, that at times, it can feel as though it has lost its meaning.  Often, the thought of why we say thank you isn’t acknowledged, but should be.  We thank people to show them that we appreciate them and their thoughts/values or for their kindness – whether in gift of word form. So, let’s spice it up and find a few unique ways to say thank you.

It seems simple to understand, right?  Did you know that on average we say “thank you” over 2,000 times per year but more than half of that time, we fail to actually mean it or acknowledge its importance?

While this is an interesting statistic, the question is, how do we shake things up and focus on our intent? I have a few suggestions for you. Next time someone offers advice, gives a gift, does something nice or deserves the words “thank you”, try something unique instead.

Here are 5 unique ways to say Thank You without actually saying the words:

5 Unique Ways to Say Thank You

Be a pair of extra hands for them.  What does this mean?  Be there for them.  Do they need help unloading their car from a trip to the grocery store?  Be those hands.  Did they have you over for dinner?  Allow them to rest their feet and relax while you do the dishes and clean up.  Do they need someone to pick up their dry-cleaning because a work meeting ran late?  Grab it!  Without uttering the words “thank you”, you are showing appreciation by being just what they need.

Be corny.  Part of the fun of life is making people laugh, right?  So bring out their smile and show them thanks by doing something totally cheesy.  Fun pun thank you?  Make a card for them with a picture of a coffee saying “Thanks a latte!”.  Seriously, who wouldn’t love that?  You can even spice it up by adding a gift card to Starbucks if you choose.

Surprise them with a gift.  Not just any gift…but something that you know that they would love but would never buy for themselves.  Do they talk about the newest Taylor Swift CD but don’t have the budget for it? Easy gift to show thanks and to also show that you listen to them and know them well!  Do they have a favorite food from a town far away that they don’t get to eat anymore?  Call up that restaurant and see if they ship or deliver, or go make a food run and grab it. Take the initiative.

Be sneaky.  Seriously, it’s fun!  Create a “thank you” scavenger hunt.  Place a note on their car, or on their desk at work, or in their door at home – leading them with clues to find their “thank you”.  It can be any number of clues, but make it reasonable and fun and frustrating-free.  (You are trying to say thank you, after all.)  At the end of the hunt, their “thank you” gift will be waiting  It can be a spa gift card (to relax after the vigorous hunt), or a gift basket full of chocolate and wine…the sky is the limit. By having the hunt, it creates excitement and shows that you put a lot of time and effort into thanking them for their good deed.

Show up and showcase them.  How fun does that sound?  You show up at their house, tell them to get dressed…and that’s it.  No other clues, no nothing.  You are taking them to their favorite places for the night to show appreciation. Do they have a favorite Chinese place?  Start there for dinner.  Is there a movie out that they have been wanting to see?  Next on the agenda. Do they have a favorite cocktail?  Order up.  All  about them, all paid by you.  Spoil them with their favorites.

Bonus: I don’t know about you, but I ADORE receiving mail (probably one of the reasons I will send Holiday Cards until the end of time – also the reason I RUN to the mailbox through November and December). If you can’t manage anything ‘extra’, take a few minutes of your day to pen a hand-written, personalized note telling your friend just how much you value them and their thoughtfulness.

Saying “thank you” can be so much more fun and creative than just uttering the words.  The options really are truly endless in ways that one can show appreciation.  Regardless of how you choose to say “thank you”, take the time to show them thank you as well.