Thoughtful Ways To Thank Someone For Their Support
CaringBridge Staff | 10.06.21
When someone goes out of their way to help you during a hard time, you want to show them what their support meant to you. Whether it’s a simple handwritten note, a gift, or a return gesture, there are plenty of ways to show appreciation that are both meaningful and thoughtful.
Keep reading to learn how to thank someone for their support, from finding the right words to simple gifts to show your gratitude.
Write a Meaningful Thank You Note
Handwritten notes can go a long way when it comes to conveying your appreciation. Letting someone know how grateful you are for their presence in your life is incredibly special. Below are ways you can show gratitude through words to different people involved in your life:
For Parents or Relatives
Whether you have parents or close relatives taking care of you in times of need, you know that they have been there for you through it all. In order to thank them for supporting you through thick and thin, try to say exactly what is on your mind.
Take time to write down a favorite memory that you share with them, and express what you appreciate about them most.
Example: “From driving me to school each morning to giving me the best hugs when I visit home, you have always made me feel less alone and I am forever grateful.”
For Partners
If you are dating someone special, married, or have a life partner, this is someone you choose to spend your time with, which means they vow to be there when you need it most. When finding the words to thank your partner, consider adding a romantic element to your note.
Similar to writing to a family member, you may recall a favorite memory with them. Whether it be the first time you said “I love you” to your wedding day, sharing memories of little moments can show how much a person means to you.
Example: “From the moment we first met, I knew you were my favorite human. Thank you for your unwavering support and love, I love you more than words can ever express.”
For Friends
If you have a friend that has supported you through thick and thin, it’s important to thank them for it! Often friends help make light of dark situations. Consider keeping your note lighthearted yet still meaningful. Include an inside joke or pun, then tell them what you love about them.
Example: “Remember our trip to NYC? I think about it all the time. Feeling so incredibly lucky to know you and to be your best friend. Thank you for all of your support in the past year, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
For Caregivers
Caregivers may not be related to you by blood, or your best friend, but they can be something close to that. If you’ve had a particularly influential caregiver help you through a difficult diagnosis or family event, show your gratitude with a thank you message. Consider expressing your thanks for their involvement in your family and your life, and encourage them to stay in touch.
Example: “I am so grateful that you have become a part of my family, and cannot thank you enough for all of the support you have given us during this difficult time. You do amazing work and I hope we can stay in touch.”
Pictured is Ana vanKoeverden, whose story is part of our How We Heal series.Thank You Gift Ideas
Thank you messages are a great place to start for showing your gratitude, but you can also level up your note by adding a gift to go along with it. Below are some examples of affordable thank you gifts to give to someone who has supported you through a difficult time.
1. Gift Cards
Gift cards are a simple way to not only show your thanks, but to treat someone to a meal or shopping spree. Buy a gift card to their favorite local coffee shop or restaurant, or go with an Amazon or Target gift card so they can buy something they’ve needed or wanted. Pair the gift card with a thoughtful note for the perfect small gesture to show gratitude.
2. Care Packages
After a person supports you during a difficult time, show your thanks with a care package. Care packages don’t have to be themed, you can simply include all of the person’s favorite things. From sweet treats to skin care products, books to candles, the direction you take your care package is entirely up to you.
If the person took a significant amount of time out of their life to help you, consider creating a care package that is “self care” themed. Give them the gift of relaxation and me-time with items that will help them kick back.
3. Comfort Clothes
Cozy socks, a soft knitted sweater, a pair of new sweatpants, you name it. High-quality comfy clothes are a great way to put a smile on someone’s face. Cozy items are great on their own, or you can put them in a care package with other small gifts. If you have a knack for knitting, you may even make them something handmade!
4. Baked Goods
There’s nothing like baking something straight from the heart to show your appreciation for someone’s support. This doesn’t have to be an extravagant gesture, often simply showing you took the time to make something for someone special can mean the world. Batches of cookies or sheet cakes are easily transportable and often quick to make. Pair with a handwritten note for a meaningful and delicious thank you gift.
5. Trinkets from Local Stores
Gifts specific to your local area are often a thoughtful way to show appreciation to those that helped you through difficult times. This may be an especially great gift to those on your care team, or out of town family members who don’t live in your area. Consider creating a small care package of local treats and items, paired with a handwritten note thanking someone for all of their love and support.
6. Treat Them to Dinner
Whether it’s treating them to a homemade meal or eating out at a favorite restaurant, sharing a meal with someone is a great thank you gift. Not only do you get to enjoy some delicious food together, but it is also a great way to get some quality time in. Sometimes the most memorable gifts are simply getting to spend time with people you appreciate and love.
7. Celebrate World Caring Day
CaringBridge is hosting the first World Caring Day on June 7th, 2022. This special event is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CaringBridge and the millions of acts of caring, from great to small, that happen every day. As the #1 caring social network in the world, we see this caring happen all the time, and we want to share that with you. We encourage you to celebrate someone who has cared for you by doing something special for them on World Caring Day. In this cynical and segmented world, we hope to show that people DO care.
How Do You Say Thank You?
If someone has supported you during a difficult time, what did you do to show your gratitude? Or, what is the most meaningful thank you gift you have received? Feel free to share your stories and ideas in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
Pictured above is Jaxson Martinez, whose story is part of our How We Heal Series.
Start a CaringBridge Site
When you’re going through a health journey, you have a lot on your plate. CaringBridge replaces the time-consuming task of sharing your health news over and over. It’s a free, easy to use online journal for sharing health information with your family and friends.
Don’t go through your health journey alone.
You can stay connected to friends and family, plan and coordinate meals, and experience love from any distance.
All of this is ready for you when you start your personal CaringBridge site, which is completely free of charge, ad-free, private and secure. Don’t spend another minute alone!
About the Author
When it comes to knowing “what to say,” “what to do,” and getting through things no one should ever go through, the best source of advice and inspiration for CaringBridge users is often other CaringBridge users. Articles like this, featuring the experience of patients and family caregivers, are compiled by our staff.
3 Hide Comments Show Comments * So grateful to my wife for her care. Diligence and devotion. Also want to thank BE THE MATCH as I prepare for transplant and LLS both for a demonstrated concern with both contact and resources. Friends family and just prayer warriors remembering our situation… Thank you all and May God richly bless!
* My loved one is in a dementia care facility and will be for the rest of her life. I want to send small gifts monthly to the staff. So far
I have sent a package of individually wrapped baked goods.
I have been using up left over yarn knitting hats of all sizes. I have more than enough hats for each staff member. I am delivering them in a basket this week as cold weather begins to settle in with a thank you note attached. I’m looking for other ideas for about 20 staff members. What have you found to be particularly appreciated??
* Great ideas! Thanking someone for support can easily be overlooked when dealing with a difficult circumstances.