Expressing your gratitude when you feel it makes you happier and healthier. Studies show it; not that anybody needs a study to know it’s true. Share the gratitude (and good vibes) with these ideas and little gestures from people like you.
I fold little origami cranes and leave them on my co-workers’ desks. Sometimes I add a speech bubble to say “Thanks” or “Hey, let’s get a cup of coffee!”
— Casey, Sarasota, Florida
My kids made signs that read “WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA” and held them up for a group photo, which we then made into a card.
— Maureen, Boston, Massachusetts
I like to find cute tea cups and saucers at flea markets and fill them with a little bag of chocolate covered coffee beans for my volunteer group. I add a note that says, “Thanks for your amazing energy!”
— Nancy, San Francisco, California
The parents of the kids I coach framed a picture of the team and added a gift certificate to a grown-up restaurant with no teenagers in sight.
— Trish, Austin, Texas
My kids made me a “KING DADDY” crown to wear out to breakfast. The waitress thought it was so cute, she took a picture for us.
— John, Phoenix, Arizona
The family that I babysit for gave me a gift card to the movie theater wrapped up with a bag of my favorite candy and some microwave popcorn.
— Jenny, Chicago, Illinois
Inspired by the ideas above, we brainstormed a few tips of our own:
- Put a cookie on a co-worker’s desk with a toothpick flag that says, “You’re the sweetest.”
- Spell out the word “Thanks” in chocolate kisses somewhere where they’ll be discovered.
- Attach a little paper “Thanks” tag to the dog’s collar and have him deliver the message for you.
- Put a small vase of flowers in the fridge to surprise your spouse.
- Decorate a teacher or co-worker’s door. Invite everyone to add sticky notes of gratitude throughout the day.
- Write “THANK YOU” on the driveway with bright chalk.
- Write a thank-you note on a small slip of paper, roll it and place it inside a balloon.