How to give a thoughtful ‘thank you’ gift
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SNACK BOX HAMPERS
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Go beyond the courtesy text.
Up until I was a teenager, every birthday party was followed by a painstaking card-writing process, overseen by Mum. I’d sit at the dining room table with a stack of stationery and scrawl a personalised message to each guest, thanking them for their wonderful company on my special day. While I dreaded it at the time (my penmanship was terrible, which never helped), in the age of text messages and disappearing DMs, I’ve found myself missing the ritual.
This leads me to the question: when was the last time you really said ‘thank you’? Not the kind of throwaway pleasantry you tack onto the end of your coffee order or email request, but a real, heartfelt act of appreciation – one that requires consideration and effort and sometimes, a paper and pen.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
Maybe you recently sent a thoughtful email to a family member, or fired off a post-catch-up text to a friend after a particularly cup-filling coffee date. Showing gratitude doesn’t necessarily have to mean a handwritten letter, but at a time when digital communication is so easy, going the extra mile means even more.
Send flowers
View this post on Instagram
A classic for a reason, flowers are scientifically proven to bring joy. According to a 2021 study, the presence of fresh blooms (particularly red or yellow) was shown to have “strong positive immediate impacts on individuals’ wellbeing.” Send as a thank you to anyone you feel might need a pick-me-up, with bonus points for arranging them yourself or adding a handwritten note! If they’re a long-distance recipient, this curated list of floral delivery services is worth saving.
Get crafty
View this post on Instagram
Making something with your own two hands will always be special. DIYs have become much more sophisticated since our days of macaroni and glitter-glue picture frames, and you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to pull one off. Knitting, sewing or crocheting something is an obvious choice, but you could also bead a bag charm, customise a notebook or package up some homemade baked goods. Your recipient will appreciate your labour of love, even more so if it’s a little rustic around the edges.
Write a handwritten note
View this post on Instagram
More powerful than any text, email or DM you might feel compelled to send, a letter is an efficient, impactful way to say a real ‘thank you’. Pick out some cute stationery (stickers, stamps, colourful pens… channel your inner child and go nuts) and choose your words carefully, making sure to get specific where possible. The more generic, the less heartfelt, so think about what it is that you’re saying thank you for, and what that act of kindness meant to you. Try not to wait too long to write it, either. But if you do procrastinate for weeks, don’t beat yourself up. Your note will still be meaningful!
Gift a Snack Box Hamper
View this post on Instagram
Who doesn’t love an assortment of sweet (or savoury) treats? Snack Box Hampers is a delivery service with an exhaustive collection of hampers for all kinds of occasions – including thank you gifts. With everything from a Vegan Chocolate Gift Box to a Hello Kitty Hamper, you can customise the box to suit your recipient’s dietaries, snacking preferences and special interests (we all know a Sanrio enthusiast). The best part? Each one comes with the opportunity to include a personal note and photo, so you can add a personal touch.
Pass on a book
View this post on Instagram
If you’re a reader, you’ll understand how touching it is to receive a book from someone’s personal collection. Instead of purchasing a new paperback, try pulling one from your own library that you think they might like. Not only is it a talking point, but it shows a level of understanding – you get their taste, or at least enough to recommend their next read. For an added level of intimacy, add a thank you note on the inside cover.
To gift your own Snack Box Hamper, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
