Showing your gratitude for a friend or family member’s act of kindness can help others realize how appreciative you are. But, don’t feel like you have to break the bank and purchase an extravagant gift to display your appreciation. The people in your life who help you out and do you a favor don’t do it to get something lavish in return; they do it because they love and care for you.

Still, it is nice to show your appreciation and acknowledge how another person has helped you out. We’ve compiled a list of five affordable ways you can show gratitude to others.

Send a Thank You Card

Sending a thank you card is one great way you can tell someone just how much you appreciate their act of kindness. Thank you cards are inexpensive allow you to include a personalized note showing your heartfelt thanks.

Consider virtual options as well. You can find plenty of great virtual thank you cards online for any person or event in your life. For example, this website includes lots of attractive options for teachers, friends, graduation gifts, birthday gifts, and more.

When selecting a thank you card, take some time to personalize your selection based on your recipient. Think about what they did for you and some of their likes and interests to help you find the perfect card. Since there are so many options available, you should be able to find the one that will truly speak to them and show the thought you put into making your selection.

Cook for Them

Everyone loves a delicious home-cooked meal, so why not show your friends or family how much they mean to you by cooking for them. You may choose to have them over for dinner at your house, or you may decide they’d appreciate a relaxing meal at their own house cooked by you. If your friend has young children, they’ll certainly appreciate a night off from cooking!

If cooking isn’t your thing, you could also bake a delicious treat for a loved one. Consider making a cake, a loaf of bread, cookies, brownies, or something else sweet and tasty. Your friend or family member will surely taste the love baked into every bite!

Give Flowers or a Plant

Flowers are a classic way of showing that you care about and appreciate another, but that doesn’t mean you should rule them out. Receiving a bouquet of flowers or a beautiful plant can bring a smile to anyone’s face. You don’t have to go all out and purchase an intricate arrangement either. Something simple is plenty to show that you care. If you have your own garden, you could even consider putting together your own arrangement to gift to your friend.

Offer to Help Out

Returning a favor is another way you can show that you appreciate something someone else did for you. Acknowledge the time and hard work they spend on helping you, by finding something you can help them with. Maybe they could benefit from a few hours of childcare to get out of the house, or perhaps they need some help with a home improvement project. Talk to your friend or family member to determine their specific needs and give them the gift of some of your time to help them out.

Spend Time Together

Sometimes spending time together with a friend or family member is the best gift for their soul. Show your appreciation by inviting them over for a movie night, going on a walk together, or visiting an attraction in your area together. This will give the two of you time to catch up and you can share with your friend just how much their act of kindness meant to you.