15 Powerful Ways to Show Gratitude for Others

Although our friends and family might know we love them, I think many of us often get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to express how grateful we are for them.

Showing gratitude for others seems to be something that happens less and less in today’s world filled with too many screens and not enough face-to-face time.

Between running kids to and from appointment and activities, juggling work and duties around your home, and trying to keep up with your daily responsibilities, it can be easy to forget to make the time to show sincere gratitude for others. I think it’s so important for our relationships and our happiness to make a point to try to brighten someone else’s day and let them know how much they mean to us. After all, our time with them may be much shorter than we realize.

In the spirit of showing others how much we care for them, today I’m sharing 15 powerful ways to show gratitude for others that I think you will find easy to fit into your busy schedule 🙂

15 powerful ways to show gratitude for others:

1. Mail a handwritten note or letter to someone

Snail mail seems to be a lost art form these days, yet everyone I know loves receiving mail that isn’t just bills. Tell that person what you love or admire about them in a written form and you’ll be sure to make their day!

2. Give hugs – lots of them!

You don’t have to be one of those people standing on the corner holding a “free hugs” sign, but do offer up more hugs and affection to those you love. Hugs have been proven to decrease stress levels in both people partaking – what a great way to reduce some stress for someone having a rough day!

3. Do a favor for someone

Whether it’s dropping soup off to your sick friend, bringing coffee or treats to a neighbor just to brighten their day, or running an errand for someone. Simple favors like these can go a lotngway in showing others that you care about them, and doing these small favors will likely put you in a great mood as well. It always feels good to give to others!

4. Provide encouragement

Maybe this person is wavering in their abilities and questioning whether or not they are capable of completing something they could like to do. Be an encouragement to them and a cheerleader to help them in reaching their goals. Sometimes all it takes is someone else believing in us to help us make our dreams happen.

5. Give a genuine compliment

If you appreciate how a friend of yours is always so uplifting to you and is a great positive influence in your life, tell them that!

6. Share your skills

If you are a master photographer, perhaps offer up your skills to a friend to take their family’s Christmas portrait this year. Or maybe you are excellent at writing resumes and you have a friend who is struggling to find work – offer up your talents, and I’m sure they will very much appreciate it!

7. Celebrate their achievements

When something wonderful happens for someone else, be happy for them and celebrate their accomplishments. Even if you might feel a bit of envy, push that to the side and focus instead of being happy for that person and celebrate all the hard work they did to achieve their goal. Celebrating for someone else feels a heck of a lot better than throwing yourself a pity party!

8. Perform a random act of kindness

Random acts of kindness are such a fun way to spread cheer and joy to others around us! I’m loving these ideas for 50 Easy Random Acts of Kindness from Frugal on the Prairie.

9. Offer support

If someone is going through a hard time, let them know you are there for them. Sometimes just knowing that others are thinking of us and are there with an open ear if we want to talk about it can make someone going through a rough time feel so much better.

10. Tip well for service

If your hairstylist gave you an awesome hair cut, or your waiter made your meal an extra pleasant experience, be sure to tip extra for that. What might only be a few extra dollars out of your pocket can really make the day of someone who relies on that income to make a living. Not only that, but it will make them feel good that you acknowledged their efforts!

11. Be fully present

Giving others our full attention and presence when we are with them is one of the greatest gifts we can give. It shows that we respect and care for them enough to give them our undivided attention.

12. Pay it forward to a stranger

The next time you are getting coffee or a quick meal, try paying for someone behind you in line. A small gesture like this can really make waves of kindness, as that person will likely continue to pay it forward as well.

13. Be positive

Even when times are tough, it can help those struggling to be around someone else with a positive attitude. Positivity can be super contagious! Wouldn’t you rather spread that than negativity?

14. Invite them to do something you know they’ll love

Maybe they have been wanting to see a new movie that came out, or try out a restaurant but can’t find anyone to go with them. Invite them to go with you, even if it may not be your cup of tea. Your gesture will be appreciated and will show them how much you care for them.

15. Smile often

Sometimes I think we can underestimate the power that a simple smile can bring to others. I know that when I’m having a rough day and even a stranger smiles at me while grocery shopping, it truly has the power to turn my entire day around. Just knowing that someone cared enough to brighten my day always puts me in a good mood.

How do you like to show gratitude for others? Which of these powerful ways to show gratitude for others is your favorite?