Electronic communication is supposed to have brought us together, but doesn't it seem like it's pushing us farther apart? Email, text messages, and blogs are supposed to be more personal but they lack the personal touch. In a world where a hand written thank you is almost unheard of, how do we show gratitude in a way that really counts? There are still ways, luckily, for a person to show that they really care.



Think about having a new baby. Nothing is more amazing, and nothing is more stressful. If you've been down this road, think about the people that helped you. A sister or brother? Did a close friend or relative help out far beyond your expectations? Perhaps a neighbor or coworker agreed to cook a couple of hot meals and drop them off to you. If you experienced this, you surely also wondered how you could ever show your thankfulness.

Sometimes the number of gifts you could possible give can boggle the mind. You can go for the inexpensive to the genuinely amazing. Everyone likes getting flowers, a basket of a bouquet, and a personal note can warm any heart. If you've ever seen someone receive a basket of homemade baked goods or a tin of delicious cookies, you've seen how a that personal touch can make someone's day.

Or you can dig a little deeper into the person's tastes whom you intend to show your gratitude. If he is a coffee drinker, you can go for a mug filled with your specially made cappuccino mix. It can also be the ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, and also include the recipe written on a colorful card. Inexpensive, but a little bit of yourself is always there.

In case such ideas are not directly at hand, there are a number of ways to show your sincere gratitude. It can be in the form of something that they would come across from time to time in their daily lives. You can buy a nice little picture album. Another lovely idea would be to buy a magazine subscription. Depending upon the age, gender or interest of the person, you can choose the perfect one from the many different types of magazines available today. This will be a great reminder of your appreciation every month delivered right on their doorstep.

What do you get, though, if none of these seems quite right? A gift basket can be a great way to say thanks, and there are many more options than you'd think. A basket of fresh local fruit from a farmers market is perfect for any kind of person or occasion. Do you share a favorite sports team? A basket of merchandise for the team would be greeted with enthusiasm. Plus, one great thing about a gift basket is that they can be shared. You can give them to a whole family or team or group of coworkers.

You can get creative with themes. A set of DVDs with popcorn, candy, and soft drinks is one way to go, or package together some gardening tools, seeds, and a book of gardening tips. A gift basket is limited only by your imagination. So spend some time and get creative. You can spend a little or a lot, but what it will say in the end is something that can't be said with words.