While it’s important to say “thank you” frequently, there are times when it’s appropriate to take it a step further and show your appreciation for someone with a thank you gift. Maybe they’ve done something particularly helpful, or maybe it’s the holidays and you want to get them something to express your thanks for the whole year.
Whatever the reason, there are plenty of great gifts to say thank you to all of the people in your life. Coworkers, doormen, mailmen, teachers — there are plenty who deserve a special little something for everything that they do. Gift baskets are always a surefire option, but depending on how well you know the recipient, you could also tailor it to their interests. Flowers, wine, tea or even stationery can also be a great way to say thanks. If you’re including a card, make sure to be specific about what you’re thanking them for so it feels genuine instead of generic.
This holiday season or any occasion that warrants it, don’t stress about what to buy to show your gratitude. All of these thank you gifts are appropriate, useful or potentially delicious.
1. Harry & David Gift Basket
BEST THANK YOU GIFT BASKET
If you’re looking for a classic thank you gift that anyone can enjoy, a gift basket is a classic favorite, and Harry & David are the kings of gift baskets. This one is specifically designed to say thank you, full of delicious meats, cheeses and snacks in a woven seagrass basket. You don’t need to know much about the recipient to know that their mouth will be watering as soon as they see this.
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2. Milk Bar Assorted Cookie Tin
SWEETEST THANK YOU
Milk Bar is known for its delicious sweet treats, from cakes and truffles to all kinds of cookies. They’re iconic, so if you want to say thanks to someone with a sweet tooth, this assorted cookie tin is the obvious solution. You can go for six so that they can try one of each, or 12 because sometimes one just isn’t enough. The Confetti Cookie may be the most famous, but the Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow is my personal favorite.
3. Monogrammed Notepad
BEST FOR TEACHERS
Lots of people give notes, or take notes, at work and home. We recommend this lovely monogrammed notepad as a thank you gift for teachers since they’re known for their notes, but you could also gift it as a thank you to anyone who’d appreciate a personalized, aesthetically pleasing notepad. It’s the perfect little something to show that you care without breaking the bank.
4. Vase Bookend Set
BEST FOR BOOKWORMS
Whether you want to show your appreciation for your local librarian or you happen to know that your dry cleaner loves to read, these cute bookends create the perfect environment for them to organize their books. The classic terracotta is rustic and a bit boho, and they’re multipurpose since the vase design allows them to pop in some dried or fresh flowers.
5. Touchscreen Knit Gloves
BEST FOR YOUR MAIL CARRIER
Postal workers are essential workers, and if you didn’t appreciate them pre-pandemic, hopefully, you do now. They deliver your mail without fail no matter what, even in the freezing cold. Show your thanks for their service with a thank you gift like these touchscreen knit gloves to keep their hands comfortable and warm while still allowing them to grip the mail and use their phones between deliveries. It’s a thoughtful and useful thank you gift for any mail carrier.
6. Carter Everywhere Mug
BEST FOR YOUR DOORMAN
Being a doorman is a 24-hour job, which means caffeine (or whatever beverage keeps you warm and energized) is essential. These tumblers are made for people who want to truly enjoy and make the most of their drinking experience. It’s designed to amplify the senses so as not to compromise your beverage, but it’s also durable and retains heat. It fits into most popular brewing devices, so they can not only use it as a travel mug but also to continuously refill it using the Keurig at work.
7. Winc Box of Wine
BEST FOR COWORKERS
Your coworkers are your partners in crime, your allies in the trenches. You brave each challenge and celebrate each victory together. That being said, you know better than anyone how much they need a big old glass of wine at the end of a long workday. Show them that you appreciate their support in the office by selecting four bottles of their favorite wines for under $30 with this Winc box. It’s one thing you know that they’ll love.
8. Birth Month Flower Tea Towels
BEST FOR MOMS
Who deserves a thank you gift more than your mom? Whether it’s for the holidays or just because, she’ll love these floral tea towels featuring the flowers and characteristics of her birth month. They’re useful and make a lovely addition to her kitchen. It’s a simple way to show mom that you care.
9. Feel Good Tea Sampler
BEST TO HELP UNWIND
A great way to say thank you is to get someone something that’ll help them unwind and destress after everything life throws at them. This sampler features 12 teas intended to just that — help relax, digest, energize, detox and beautify. It’s a thoughtful way to bring some peace to any tea lover or human you know with a stressful life.
10. Thanks Candle
BEST UNIVERSAL THANK YOU GIFT
Everyone loves candles. If you want to say thank you to someone that you don’t know too well personally, this Thanks candle is a very safe bet. It smells of soothing cucumber and fresh lemon to refresh any home, and you can personalize the packaging with a handwritten note indicating who the candle is for and why you’re thanking them. It’s a lovely, simple and affordable option as far as thank you gifts go. You can’t go wrong.
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