A small gesture can mean the world to someone, just as significant as a grand one might be. Thankfully, there are many ways to say "thank you" in return. Finding the right one is part of the fun.

Indeed, thank-you gifts are just as enjoyable to give as they are to receive, as they are invariably given in response to something nice that's already been done. In short, they keep the cycle of kindness going. The very essence of a "thank-you gift" is that it acknowledges a kind gesture, act, or favor. There's really no other gift that's so inherently cheerful.

This being said, you'll want to give an appropriate gift. While it's never proper etiquette to accept a favor without thanks, it's also not a good idea to give a thank-you gift that's disproportionately large. No, you wouldn't want to take away from what the person did for you. You simply want to give a gift that's above all else, thoughtful.

Even a handwritten note can be the perfect gift at times. When selecting a thank-you gift, it's important to take time to really consider how best to thank someone. One guideline many etiquette experts rely on is to look at what the favor saved you.

If for instance, a neighbor pet-sits your dog over the weekend, then consider how much it would've cost you if you had your pet kenneled instead. Also, how valuable was the peace-of-mind your neighbor gave you, knowing that your beloved pet was being taken care of?

Based on these two factors, you can better come up with an appropriate amount to spend for a thank-you gift. If you went away to the country, perhaps a gift basket of local treats. A bottle of wine from the vineyard. A nicknack that's only available from the town you visited.

Other common occasions that call for a thank-you in return include: a dinner party, a baby shower, a lead on a new job, hard-to-get concert or sporting event tickets, a weekend host. As you can see, favors range from the small to the impossible, but all are done out of the goodness of a person's heart.

Shouldn't such favors be recognized? Fortunately, thank-you gifts exist to do just that. One type of thank-you gift that can never go wrong is the gift basket. Thank you gift baskets are customizable, available in a variety of sizes (and prices), and thematically, can fit most any occasion or taste.

Staying with friends over the weekend? Send a gift basket in advance as a heartfelt thank-you. It'll herald your arrival and also, let your friends know just how much you appreciate their hospitality. What's more, it's difficult to beat the beautiful presentation of a gift basket. Like flowers, they effortlessly communicate thanks in any language:

Grazie,

Merci,

Danke...

A thoughtful gift basket can say it all.