Easy Ideas on How to Express Appreciation to Others
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.
Looking for some ways that you can express appreciation to others or some appreciation gift ideas that you can give to others? Today I’m putting together some simple things that can be done on a budget to show those around you just how much you care.
Easy Ideas on How to Express Appreciation to Others
We all like to be recognized for a job well done, right? When we work hard, it’s nice to know that someone else sees what we are doing and appreciates the time and effort that we put into that task.
We live in a crazy world right now and I think that it’s more important than ever that we continue to connect with those around us to let them know that they are seen, they are loved, and they are appreciated.
What better way to do this than to find little ways to share your appreciation through notes and small tokens? There are many simple things that can be put together on a budget and these ways to express appreciation will always be well received. We all know a friend, neighbor, mail carrier, clerk, or someone else that is working hard and we want to make sure they know how much we care about what they do. Hopefully, this post will give you some inspiration on how to share your gratitude with others!
Write a Note Expressing Appreciation
This is a classic way to show your gratitude towards others and it’s always well received! Find a sweet little card (of course, I always use these cards that my husband makes!) and write out a note with your thoughts. It doesn’t need to be very long, it just needs to get the point across.
Be sure and let your recipient know why you are sending the letter and be specific. Don’t say “I appreciate you always bringing the mail to my house each day.” Instead, try “I always appreciate you making the extra effort to get my mail to me clean and dry, even on the days when the weather is less than perfect.” Let them know that you see what they do and that what they do matters.
Acknowledge Your Appreciation, Even When They Aren’t Around
This is actually something that I’ve learned from being married for over a decade now. Even when they aren’t around and you are just talking to others, always talk highly about your spouse. Talk them up, brag on them a little, share with others what you appreciate about them even when they aren’t around to hear it.
Doing this will help others appreciate the person that you are talking about AND it will also help to affect the way that you think about the person you are talking about as well.
Just Tell Someone What You Appreciate About Them
Words can be powerful no matter how we use them so why not use them in a way that can help to build someone up? By simply telling someone what or how much you appreciate about them, you can really brighten their day. Try it the next time you are checking out at the grocery store. Let the clerk know how much you appreciate them being at work and working hard so that you are able to bring groceries home to your family. I bet their reaction will be well worth the few words needed.
Take Them A Meal
Even during a time when we might not be able to be in everyone’s homes, we can still bring a meal and leave it on a doorstep! Taking a meal to someone can remind them that they are cared for. And there’s nothing wrong with taking a meal to someone even if it’s not for a typical reason (new baby, surgery, etc). Taking a meal just shows that you were thinking of them and that you wanted to take a little bit of work off their plate (literally!) that day.
Some of my favorites to take as meals are:
Be sure and take along a side dish (find some recipes here) and a dessert (recipe here) too!
Leave Them a Tip or Giftcard
This is a great way to express appreciation to those that you would like to give a little extra for their service. Some professions are not allowed to take cash (like the mail carriers) so a gift card is an acceptable substitute. You can also tip delivery people a little bit extra to show that you appreciate the fact that they go out when you can’t or don’t want to.
Make Them a Homemade Treat
I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone turn down a homemade treat! A little treat such as a plate of cookies or a loaf of quick bread is a great simple way to show someone else that you care. You can even just make a double batch of whatever you are currently baking to take to others and it will take you no time at all!
Some of my favorite recipes for homemade treats to share are:
- Cranberry Orange Mini Bread Loaves
- Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bread
- Mom’s Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Soft Sugar Cookies and Strawberry Frosting
Create a Simple Giftbasket for Them
If you are looking for something to express appreciation that is a little bit of a step up from just sharing a treat or a tip, try a homemade gift basket! You can really personalize these depending on who you are giving them to and what the occasion is which makes them a great gift.
Here are some simple examples of gift baskets you could make:
Spend Time With Them
One of the best things we can (and also the most frugal) is to spend time with someone. Back in simpler times, neighbors and friends caught up around the creek washing clothes or on porches shelling beans. Friendships were strengthened by the act of doing life together.
If you are able to spend time with someone right now, even if it’s at a distance, do it! We all need reminding that we are in this life together and that we appreciate each other and all of the individual gifts that we have.
Be Selfless
Sometimes a very simple act of selflessness can show that you appreciate others, even if it’s in a subtle way. Some little things that you can do is to let someone in line in front of you at the store, let them have the last piece of dessert (even if you really want it!), let them choose the movie or game that you are going to play.
Try and come up with one selfless act that you can do each day to someone that you are going to be around. You will be amazed at how just this little thing can really brighten someone else’s day.
Do Extra Work For Them
I thought this one went along with the one above it so the best place in this article for it is right here! Going along with being selfless, you can also choose to do a bit of extra work for a person to show them that you appreciate what they do for you and that you want to give them something back.
Some examples might be to let them sleep in, to do some extra housework that you don’t normally do, to perform a task that your co-worker normally has to do, the sky is the limit.
If you aren’t sure what you can do for someone else, spend a day observing them first and pick up on some things that you might be able to help out with the next day.
Leave Little Notes
This is a great way to express appreciation to those in your household. Your family members will love to find little notes throughout the house thanking them for who they are and all they do. You can leave random notes of encouragement like “I love how thoughtful you are to others” or make them specific for where you leave them. “I appreciate you working so hard for our family” where your spouse will see it while getting ready.
Outside of your home, little notes to your wait staff at a restaurant or other people you come in contact with can be a great way to send a quick word of encouragement and brighten their day.
Give Them a Plant
Plants are such a fun, simple gift idea that most others will enjoy. Plants can also be a great frugal appreciation gift because you can use plants that you grow yourself or that you transplant from other plants that you have in your home instead of buying something.
For an extra touch, you can even paint the flowerpot that you give the plant in. Individualize it for the person that you are giving it to!
Take Them Out for a Treat
If you are able to take someone out for a special treat, this is one of my very favorite ways to show appreciation! Not only do they get something special (gift) they also get to spend time with you (experience). I do this for my children each year on their birthdays. Instead of ordering something online, I take them to the store to spend their birthday money (a special trip just them and mommy!) and we also go to the bookstore to pick out a new book.
Some small ways that you can take someone out for a treat might be:
- Buy them a book at the bookstore
- Grab a coffee for them
- Get an ice cream together
Bring Them Lunch
If you are working during the day, you probably work around other people unless you are working from home. You can let your co-workers know that you appreciate the work they do and you appreciate them working with you by bringing them lunch. Just be sure to let them know in advance so they don’t order or pack their own lunch that day!
Leave Them a Treat
Along with giving someone a home-baked treat, you can also leave treats for others that you might not see in person, but that will be doing something for you and you want to show them your appreciation.
You probably have seen the posts going around on social media about leaving water, drinks, or other packaged snacks for delivery people and I think this is a great idea! You could also offer hot chocolate in the cold months (be sure and have some to-go cups for this!) and in the summer, be sure and put the water in a cooler of ice so that it’s a great temp for those who are going to pick it up.
Call or Text Them
When you can’t get together and would like to show someone you appreciate them, you can always send them a text to let them know they are on your mind and in your prayers. You can also call them (gasp) and tell them. Speaking to someone on the phone is a lot like sending a letter, it’s becoming a lost art. Show someone you care by taking a few extra minutes to reach out and hear their voice. It’s a great way to check in on them, see if there is anything they need and let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.
Hopefully, this post gives you plenty of new ideas on how you can express appreciation to others, even in difficult times. I would love it if you would also share your unique ideas in the comments section as well so we can make this list of ideas a big one!
Which of these ways to express appreciation have you used? What other ways do you share your appreciation with others of the work they do?
These are great, genuine ways to appreciate someone!
Merissa, I have been following you for several years now, you always have amazing tips and helpful ideas. I have had friends do special things for me and I always try to return favors! I always look forward to your posts. Thanks for all your helpful hints!!! Many Blessings, Joetta
You are so welcome. Thank you for your kind comments!
Thank you for all you do to add to my life! I love your recipes and these ideas of service are just GREAT!!! I am going to do several of them!
I have been baking virtually with my grandchildren and we have such fun. Then I end up with lots of baked goods that my husband and I can’t possibly eat—so we take them to friends and neighbors and they are so happy to get a treat, bread, candy and etc!
I also read bedtime stories to our grandchildren to give their parents a little break.
That’s such a neat thing you are doing with your grandchildren! They are very lucky to have a grandma like you 🙂