November marks a month of gratitude. It is a time to be thankful and show appreciation for our family, friends, coworkers, and clients. There are many ways that we show our gratitude. We can say “thank you”, give public recognition, and in some cases a gift is appropriate. However purchasing a gift for someone to show your appreciation can be difficult to facilitate. Due to stringent gift guidelines at most organizations, finding the perfect way to say “thank you” can be challenge. What are some of the typical roadblocks?

• Monetary limitations on gifts (ie. not more than $25 or $50 depending on company policy)
• No gift policy
• Shared gift guideline (ie. any gift that is over a certain amount (typically $25-$50) will need to be shared with the team)

As planners most of us aren’t being rewarded. Based on some recent research from Meetings & Convention Magazine, only 5% of planners get gifts for a job well done. 60% get away with a pat on the back, and amazingly 21% of planners can get no recognition at all.

Post-it: People are less likely to express or foster gratitude in the workplace than anywhere else

So what are some options to thank your employees, or your clients without violating policy? Here are 20 ways you can say “Thank you”:

Absolutely free

• Say thank you immediately! (60% of planners pat themselves on the back, say thank you at least!)
• Letter of recommendation or a LinkedIn recommendation
• Hand-written heartfelt note of thanks
• Nominate your client or planner for an award (internal or external)
• Show personal interest, people appreciate when you get to know them
• Write a letter or email to their superior on their great job
• Give them a referral

$10 or less

• $5 coffee card or Starbucks Card
• Instead of the coffee card, take them out to coffee – make it more personal
• Homemade cookies or brownies
• Chocolates
• A small plant
• Scented candles
• Lotions and/or Bath Oil
• Homemade gift (if you are crafty), a nice thoughtful scarf or crochet item would be something to remember forever

 $10 to $20

• Bottle of wine with two wine glasses
• Movie gift card – everyone likes to go to the movies!
• Nice journal with pen (without logos)
• A great book
• Take someone out to breakfast or lunch

Lastly…

When you are giving verbal thanks, be specific. It’s always nice to hear specific reasons why you are being thanked. Do whatever you can do to be thankful in the moment, pickup the phone, say it right away.

Spend time this month appreciating even the smallest things that people do for you – it will change your life! Your gratitude can go viral, do it often.

Did you know? Showing gratitude can make you happier at work? As a gift to you, check out this video on the “Happy Secret to Better Work” as my gift to you!

Need more ideas? Check out this website to help you live a better life through gratitude. Do you have great ways to say thank you? Please share them!

Photo credit: Geralt and Woodlywonderworks