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Saying “thank you” when you get an unexpected gift is all well and good, but how can you get a little creative with your appreciation? As it turns out, there are lots of ways to express gratitude to others while remaining gracious and sincere. Whether you received a surprise gift from a friend, coworker, family member, or partner, we’ll show you how to say thank you in an exciting and meaningful way!

This article is based on an interview with our professional etiquette coach, Tami Claytor, owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting. Check out the full interview here.

1

“I appreciate this.”

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3

“I’m so grateful!”

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  1. Not only is “I’m grateful” an easy substitute for “thanks,” but expressing gratitude is also a great way to build up your relationships with friends, partners, and even work friends who surprise you. This is because it makes them feel seen and appreciated.
    • “I’m grateful to have a friend like you. Not just anyone would surprise me like this!”
    • “I’m thankful to have you as a partner every day—and surprise gifts are just the cherry on top!”
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9

“Thanks for thinking of me during this difficult time.”

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10

“I’ll treasure this gift!”

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11

“I’ll think of you every time I see it.”

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12

“Your friendship is so important to me!”

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  1. This response works for gifts on important milestones in life—for example, when someone surprises you after you graduate, start a new job, move into a new apartment, or retire. Thank them for sticking by you and believing in you, and let them know that you’ll put their gift to good use.[2]
    • “I’m so grateful for your support and friendship over the years!”
    • “We’ve been through so much together, and you’ve supported me at every turn. Thank you!”

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About This Article

Tami Claytor
Written by:
Etiquette Coach
This article was written by Tami Claytor and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. This article has been viewed 525,933 times.
23 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: November 15, 2024
Views: 525,933
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 525,933 times.

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