Thank You!

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12:4-5 NIV

I thought as we prepare to gather with family and friends for the holidays, perhaps we should take a moment to give thanks to our Lord above!

But saying thank you should be something we do on a regular basis! So when is a “thank you” in order?

On a daily basis, we are inundated with reasons to thank the people around us. Maybe someone held the door open for you or held the elevator for you while you were running late, the barista was kind despite the huge crowd in the coffee shop, or your colleague lets you know they did the legwork to help you get started on a particularly tricky project.

We are lucky to have so many reasons to say “thanks” every day, but sometimes we need some new words and expressions to adequately express the gratitude we feel.

If you are stuck in a rut of “thank you so much” and “thanks a lot,” here are twenty-five alternatives that are perfect for sharing your thanks and appreciation in every kind of setting.

1. I am so grateful: Thanks is an expression of gratitude, so cut to the chase. Tell someone you are grateful for whatever way in which they have helped you, and go into detail about exactly what they did to personalize your message.

2. I appreciate it: It is always nice to feel appreciated. When someone does something to help you out or make your life easier, be sure to say how much it means to you that they went out of their way to help.

3. Thanks for your hard work on this: Do not just offer colleagues and collaborators a run-of-the-mill thanks. Letting them know how much you appreciate the specific efforts they have made will help them feel seen and create a positive working relationship.

4. I could not have done it without you: If you could not have made something happen without another person’s help, then they should definitely know that! Do not hold back in telling them how vital they are.

5. I owe you one: Sometimes the only way to truly appreciate a favor is by returning it. This “thank you” alternative lets them know you plan to do just that.

6. Much obliged: Obliged means “appreciative or grateful.” It is especially handy for a quick but courteous email or text sign-off that still expresses thanks in a meaningful way.

7. Thanks for having my back: Sometimes the best thing someone else can do for you is be in your corner when you need support. Thanking them for being there is a way to let them know how much it means to you.

8. Please accept my deepest gratitude.: Giving thanks in a more formal setting? This one is perfect for a professional letter, important speech, or in a thank-you note.

9. I have to give credit where it is due: Let us be honest: we all love getting credit for the good things we do. Credit is “commendation or honor given for some action, quality, etc.”

When we thank someone, we are giving them their earned credit for something they did, and it is a gesture we should make often.

10. This has been such a blessing: We tend to think of a blessing as a favor or gift bestowed by God, but a blessing can also be “a special favor, mercy, or benefit.”

Letting someone know their kind gesture or effort was a blessing is a way of letting them know you are thankful for the gift of their time, energy, and thoughtfulness.

11. I cannot thank you enough: Sometimes a simple “thanks” will not cut it. In those instances, let them know the words may be inadequate, but the depth of your gratitude is not.

12. Cheers: Cheers is not just something we say when we are giving a toast. It is also a unique and quick way of saying “thanks.” Try it next time you are at a party or other social event where a lighthearted expression of gratitude is needed.

13. That’s so kind of you: One way of thanking someone is telling them how their gesture felt to you: kind. By telling someone how kind they have been, you let them know you see their favors as coming from the heart.

14. Much appreciated: If you need to say thanks in a big way but on a small scale, go with “much appreciated.” This one is perfect for a quick email, text, or even a brief conversation.

15. Thank you for taking the time to do this: When people go out of their way to do something nice or help out, they are also giving the gift of their time. We only get so much of that, so thank them for using some of their time to make your life easier.

16. Your support means the world: Support means “to bear or hold up (a load, mass, structure, part, etc.); serve as a foundation for.” The people who do that for us deserve to know how much we appreciate it.

17. Many thanks: One thanks? I do not think so. If you are shooting off a quick email, text, or call to say thank you, let them know your gratitude could be expressed many times over.

18. I am beyond grateful: Go big or go home. Grateful means “warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.” And sometimes, well, you just feel all of that and beyond.

19. I sincerely* applaud you: A true “thank you” should be sincere. That means “genuine; real.” The best expressions of gratitude are usually the ones that come from the heart.

* It is commonly believed that sincere comes from two Latin words — sine "without" and cera "wax." I was taught that marble workers or potters would cover imperfections in the stone or clay with wax, much as unscrupulous antique dealers might rub wax to hide a scratch in wood. Simply put it would signify honestly and without pretending or lying.

20. I am forever indebted: Sometimes one act of kindness inspires another. Indebted means “obligated for favors or kindness received,” and it is a way of saying you plan to pay the kind act forward.

21. I stand in recognition: Giving thanks is about shining a spotlight on someone’s thoughtfulness, kindness, hard work, care, or effort. Carving out space specifically to recognize their efforts is a powerful way of saying thanks.

22. I am blown away by your kindness: If you are blown away by something, that usually means it was unexpectedly inspiring, moving, or touching. Use this one for gestures and acts of kindness that truly make a difference.

23. It means the world to me: It is not always easy to explain how important or valuable someone’s contributions are. Saying “it means the world” to you is a pretty good place to start.

24. I want to acknowledge how much you’ve done: Sometimes the “thanks” people crave is just knowing that their efforts are not going unnoticed. Whether it is a colleague, a friend, or a partner, acknowledgment is always a welcome expression of gratitude.

25. Thanks in advance: It is possible to thank people even before they have done you a favor. If someone offers up a future kindness or promises to go out of their way for you, thanking them in advance lets them know they are appreciated even before they have lifted a finger.

So who do you need to thank today?