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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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  1. A great “thank you” involves expressing appreciation for the gift and explaining why you’re grateful. For added value, you can even describe what you’ll do with their gift (if you have an idea.)[1]
    • “I appreciate that you went out of your way to surprise me with these tickets! I can’t wait to go to the concert.”
    • “I really appreciate you sending an Amazon gift card for my birthday. I’ve had my eye on this one video game, and now I can’t wait to play it!”
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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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5

“This is incredible! My jaw is on the floor.”

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  1. If someone went out of their way to give you an unexpected gift, make sure they know they succeeded in their mission to surprise and delight you. Say “thanks” and express your shock at the same time.
    • “You should’ve seen me; my eyes almost popped out of my head! Thank you for the lovely surprise.”
    • “Not gonna lie, you definitely surprised me! And I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks!”
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7

“You do so much for me.”

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  1. If you’ve got a steadfast friend, caring parent, or devoted partner, acknowledging their hard work makes them more willing to surprise you again in the future.[4] For example:
    • “I want you to know that I see and appreciate everything you do for me. This was so thoughtful!”
    • “You always go out of your way to make me smile. Thank you!”
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9

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

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  1. They might give you food, a gift to make you feel better, or even contribute money to help you out. Offer a simple and sincere “thank you” when someone unexpectedly shows you kindness.[6]
    • “This is a hard time for me, and I really appreciate you making it easier.”
    • “I’ll probably be a little quiet for the moment, but I want you to know that your gift was truly appreciated. Thank you.”
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10

“I’ll treasure this gift!”

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  1. Tell them that it’s one of the nicest gifts you’ve ever received and that you’ll take great care of it (if it’s an object). When someone gives you a gift that takes your breath away, show them that you appreciate how special and one-of-a-kind it is.
    • “You made this necklace by hand? It’s incredible! This has to be one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever gotten.”
    • “I’ll treasure every minute of our weekend getaway. Thank you again for these tickets—I’m in awe of your generosity!”
11

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

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  1. Gifts can be powerful reminders of your relationships with other people and help the connection feel strong even when you’re apart. Knowing that you’re warmly thinking of them each day will make this person feel appreciated!
    • “This blanket is so soft—every time I use it, it feels like I’m cuddling up with you.”
    • “Every time I look at this bracelet, I think about you and how much I love you!”
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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.[7]
    • “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!”
13

“I can’t thank you enough.”

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  1. It’s easy to be lost for words or feel like “thank you” is inadequate when someone gives you a gift that you weren’t expecting, but it’s also okay to let them know how speechless (and happy) you are. For example:[8]
    • “I’m speechless! This is so thoughtful of you.”
    • “‘Thank you’ doesn’t feel like enough, but I’m truly so thankful! You’re the best.”
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14

“This means the world to me!”

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  1. Some people think gift-giving is a materialistic way to show love and affection, but surprising loved ones with personalized gifts is also a highly emotional gesture. When you get a gift like that, it’ll make the gift-giver happy to know that the gift has such value in your eyes.
    • “Just knowing that you did this for me means everything. Thank you!”
    • “This is the sweetest gift I’ve ever gotten. It means so much to me, knowing it came from you!”

Thank You Message Generator

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    Why is it so hard to write a thank you note? Putting our feelings into words can be surprisingly tricky. Whether you’re looking for something heartfelt, funny, or just not awkward, we've got you covered! Just fill in the blanks below and we'll create the perfect message in the tone that you're looking for!
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References

  1. Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
  2. Jason Polk, LCSW, LAC. Relationship Counselor. Expert Interview
  3. Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
  4. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-you-and-me/202106/3-ways-to-improve-how-you-say-thank-you-to-your-partner
  5. Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
  6. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/thank-you-so-much/
  7. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier
  8. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/appreciation-message/
  9. Allen Wagner, MFT, MA. Marriage & Family Therapist. Expert Interview

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 569,887 times.
24 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 21, 2025
Views: 569,887
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 569,887 times.

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