Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can be expressed in many ways. Sometimes a simple "thank you" does the trick, and other times a note or card may better communicate your gratitude. You may even want to go for grander gestures, like creating a personalized photo book, giving a gift, or any other creative ways to give thanks.
Show a little enthusiasm
Vary your vocabulary
Get specific
Share a list of their top traits
Give extra encouragement
Express your emotions
We want to share with you our favorite quotes that say thank you and express appreciation because, in the words of A.J Cronin, "Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life."
Meaningful Quotes that Convey Gratitude
This is from my heart, to thank you for everything you have done for me, for all the times I forgot to tell you how I feel about you, and how happy I am that you are in my life.
Thanks for being by my side and supporting my decisions every step of the way. Without you my life would be incomplete.
Thank you for every hug, word of encouragement, and loads of love you've given me. I am blessed to have you in my life.
Thank you for being there. I truly don’t know what I would have done without you.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and appreciate all you have done. Your generosity has given me new hope.
"It's almost overwhelming how blessed I feel for getting to know, grow from, and receive support from extraordinary people…I’ve learned everyone is extraordinary, beyond measure, in some particular and unique way…all I can say is, thank you. For believing in me, for supporting me, for sharing your grace and insight, and most importantly your trust…" – Dr. Sanjau Juneja
Many beautiful things cannot be seen or touched; they are felt with the heart. What you’ve done for me is one of them, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
The best I can give you is nothing other than my heart. When it comes to love and life, you are so great I cannot even explain it. Thank you so much for always being you.
Thank you for celebrating all the exciting moments of my life with me. I can’t imagine not having you by my side for every magical experience.
There are so many things my heart wants to say to you, all of which can be summed up in just three words – thanks for everything. I love you.
Mothers are angels in disguise. Thank you for everything! You have taught me what love is. I'm blessed to have a mom like you!
Thank you for being there for me when I call you and need someone who will just listen. No matter where we are in the world or our lives, I know my call will never go unanswered.
Thank you. You have truly been a gift in my life. I don’t know how I could ever thank you for all that you do.
This is a thank you for every hour we have spent together, for every kiss, for every embrace, and for every tear shed for one another.
Some heroes don’t wear capes, they wear stethoscopes. Thank you for being more than just a doctor.
Simple Quotes that Say Thank You
Thank you for being a ray of sunshine even on my darkest days.
Thank you for always being my greatest supporter. I am lucky to have you in my life.
Thank you for being so incredible. I feel so grateful to have such a loving family.
Thank you for opening your arms, home, and heart.
Thank you to my wonderful friend. Thank you for being you. You’re all I could ask for and more!
I am so glad you’re here, thank you!
Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for making me smile like crazy. Thank you for making me happy.
There are many things which I am thankful for in my life, and you are at the top of my list.
When I count my blessings, I count you twice.
Every life is a story. Thank you for being part of my story.
Thanks for being brutally honest with me, especially when I am being ridiculous.
Thank you for your love, support, and encouragement!
Thank you for the amazing job you do every day. You are an important part of the team.
Thanks for the little ways that you help me and make me happy every day.
Thanks for pigging out on pizza with me at any time of the night.
I’m the luckiest wife/husband to have you as my life partner. Thank you for being so kind and loving.
Thank you for brightening my world.
Thank you for all that you have taught me.
But most of all…thank you for loving me- like no one else ever has, or ever will.
Famous Quotes that Express Gratitude
"You have influenced my life in such a positive way words cannot express my appreciation. You are truly an inspiration." – Catherine Pulsipher
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." – William Arthur Ward
"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other." – Randy Pausch
"One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession." – Sophocles
"Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all." – William Faulkner
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. – Cicero
There's no possible way, I could ever repay, How I wish, there were more I could do, But, I thank you friend, my friend to the end." – Jim Thistle
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." – Melodie Beattie
"For my part, I am almost contented just now, and very thankful. Gratitude is a divine emotion: it fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms, but not to fever." – Charlotte Bronte
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." – JFK
"The heart that gives thanks is a happy one, for we cannot feel thankful and unhappy at the same time" – Douglas Wood
Short Poems to Describe Your Thanks
Thank You
"For never forgetting me.
For always finding an excuse to remind me that you care about me.
For making me feel special.
Thank you for everything you do,
"Thank you.
Eight little letters,
one little space,
tell you the reason
for the smile on my face.
I want you to know
that for all that you do
I sincerely appreciate,
I’m So Glad You’re Here
"I think people are so beautiful
when their eyes light up and they say sincerely,
"I’m so glad you’re here".
In other words,
you bring joy to my life.
You bring relief in rooms
I am struggling in.
You bring me hope
when I need it most.
You make the world
a little bit easier to live in.
Thank you for existing.
I love you for making me feel better.
Saying Thank You
"There are many we meet
Who are just passing though,
And then there are a few,
Who stay to pull us through.
When we reflect on who is true.
It Doesn’t Seem Enough
"I want to tell you "Thank you,"
But it doesn’t seem enough.
Words don’t seem sufficient--
"Blah, blah" and all that stuff.
Please know I have deep feelings
About your generous act.
I really appreciate you.
Whether your mentor is into tech, finance, or personal development, this curated collection of birthday wishes is sure to have something to suit you perfectly. If you don’t have a mentor yet, don’t worry! Just check out MentorCruise, it’s like a social platform, but matches professionals with mentors! With varying levels of experience and accessible rates, you simply won’t find a better match anywhere else.
Endearing birthday messages to career mentor
Mentors often don’t have a lot of time for themselves. When you commit to a life of empowering others you might forget to take a break. Today is a day to focus on you! Wishing you a very happy birthday and hope you get to have a wonderful moment of rest and relaxation. We all know you deserve it!
I often find myself wondering how I managed to secure such an incredible mentor. You are a source of wisdom, strength, and inspiration. It is with great respect that I wish you a happy birthday today. I cannot wait to continue learning from you in the future.
To have someone you trust by your side is the ultimate gift. For that person to also aid in fostering your growth is something dreams are made of. Thank you for being the ultimate mentor, I hope today brings you everything you could ask for, happy birthday!
Not only are you brilliant, but you are also a compassionate, insightful, and thoughtful leader. It has been my absolute pleasure to have such an incredible example to look up to and learn from. I couldn’t imagine working alongside anyone else, the collaboration you provide is unmatched. Have a very happy birthday, I hope you have an amazing day!
Not many people manage to balance it all, but you do an amazing job. Not only are you a visionary, but you are also an analytical wiz, a friendly ear, a compassionate leader, and most of all, the world’s most incredible mentor. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me every day, I hope you have a very happy birthday and I look forward to continuing learning even more from you.
Thoughtful yet casual birthday messages for a business mentor
Another popular choice for mentees is a business mentor. These are great if you need a mentor for a startup or for teams in your organization. Business mentors are also great for CEOs and other founders. Here are some casual birthday wishes to save for your business mentors:
Thanks for always helping me grow and learn from my mistakes. You inspire me to be a more accountable individual and you motivate me more and more each day. I hope today brings you great joy, happy birthday!
You are the best mentor I could ask for, thank you for everything you do to help me improve and grow as a professional. I consider myself very lucky to have your mentorship. Hope you get to take this day to yourself, happy birthday!
I wouldn’t be where I am without you, and I won’t get to where I want to be without you either! Thank you so much for showing me what it means to be the backbone of an organization. Your leadership skills are unmatched, and I can only hope to embody everything you teach. Happy birthday and best wishes!
They say to become the person you want to be you need to seek counsel from those you admire. I certainly shot above my sights when I found you as my mentor, and I am forever grateful for the time you so graciously spend with me. Happy birthday, you deserve everything good that comes to you!
The day is finally here for you to sit back and a break from your busy schedule. You spend so much time working to help others, take today for you. Even legends need time to rest, happy birthday!
Birthday wishes for a tech-savvy mentor
Having you as a mentor is like discovering a missing piece of code. I wouldn’t be able to function without you! Thank you for teaching me something new every day and working so closely as a mentor with me. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for you and I hope to continue learning from you as a mentor. Have a great day, happy birthday!
The world of technology is always moving but you bring me back to the present! Thank you for always keeping me on track and helping me grow into the best version of myself. Your leadership in technology is admirable and I am forever grateful for such intimate access to your counsel.
Your mentorship means more to me than a stable wi-fi connection! You teach me something new almost every single day. I can’t imagine not collaborating with you and working under your guidance. I hope you have a great birthday, I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you.
Working as a technology professional is no simple feat. To have a mentor like you is something I’m thankful for every time we speak. My best tool isn’t a device, it’s my connection to the most engaged mentor I could ask for. I hope you have a great birthday! I will always be a hardworking mentee, it’s the least I can do for everything you’ve done for me.
Having a great mentor is one thing, having a tech genius mentor is on a whole new level. You are always showing me ways to reach new heights, push boundaries, and reach my potential. In fact, you’ve taught me that potential is limitless as long as you believe in yourself and work hard enough. Happy birthday to the most intelligent mentor there is! I am so lucky that I get to keep leveling up with you.
Grateful birthday wishes to a mentor
At the end of the day, people seek mentorship for an insight that you can’t find anywhere else. This sort of connection deserves gratitude and these special birthday messages are great for any mentor!
Thank you for always being a guiding light in my life, my everyday work, and my entire career. Your mentorship means so much and I appreciate your time and dedication to empowering others. However, today is your day to shine—happy birthday! Hope all your wishes come true.
Gratitude isn’t big enough a word to describe how I feel having you as a mentor. Your wealth of knowledge means more than gold, and I can’t imagine navigating my work and career without you. Thank you for always being a gleaming source of inspiration, happy birthday!
They say knowledge is power, and your teachings are invaluable. Thank you so much for everything you have taught me in the past, and for everything you will teach me in the future. I will always be grateful for everything I learn from you. Happy birthday to my one and only mentor, may this next year be full of wisdom!
They say people walk into your life for a reason, and my finding you as a mentor was no mistake. You have given me a level of courage I didn’t know existed and I will spend the rest of my working life finding new ways to make you proud. Thank you so much for being yourself and sharing your overflowing wisdom with myself and the world. Anyone who is lucky enough to cross your path will benefit from your teachings for years to come. Happy birthday to the best mentor there is, you are one of a kind and I am always grateful for you!
I often wonder how to best express my gratitude for everything you have done and continue to do for me and my future. The act of being a mentor is an undertaking not to be taken lightly, and you have provided me with more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for dedicating so much time to my growth and helping me become the person I am mean to be. Happy birthday, I hope this next year brings you nothing but health, wealth, and happiness.
Let mentors feel appreciated
Mentors are sources of inspiration and help us grow to achieve our goals. If you have a boss or mentor with a birthday coming up, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to make sure they feel appreciated.
If you’re still deciding on exactly what type of mentor is right for you, start browsing today at MentorCruise, the one-stop platform for all your professional development needs.
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Thank them for making an effort to wish you a “Happy Birthday”
The most common way to respond when someone says “Happy Birthday” is to thank them. It doesn't have to be anything extraordinary, but thanking someone or remembering and making an effort to wish you a happy birthday is a kind gesture.
For example:
• “Thanks a lot! It was kind of you to remember.”
• “Aww, thanks. I'm fortunate to have awesome friends like you guys.”
• “Thank you so much for reaching out, it was lovely to hear from you, and I really appreciate the birthday wishes.”
• “Thank you! I'm having a great day made all the better by your touching words.”
Share your emotions
Birthdays can be emotional. The fact of getting older can cause some to think about their life and get deep and emotional. Also, the outpouring of support and love from friends and family can remind people how lucky they are.
You can use any emotions you're feeling in the way you reply when someone wishes you a happy birthday:
• “It goes by so quickly. I feel lucky to have you in my life.”
• “I always get emotional on my birthday as I'm reminded of how many amazing friends I have. I love you guys!”
• “It's been a wild year, but I've learned so much and feel like I've been on a real journey.”
• “With age comes wisdom, and I'm feeling much wiser than I did a few years ago.”
Make a joke about your birthday
Birthdays are meant to be fun. In fact, when someone wishes you a happy birthday, they may do so with a joke or by making fun of how old you're getting. So an excellent way to respond is to make a joke about your birthday!
Embrace getting older and poke some fun at yourself:
• “Thanks. I've been working hard towards this all year!”
• “Thank you all for the birthday wishes! I'm still calling it 29!”
• “Thanks, but I'm really just waiting for my present.”
• “Thanks to my friends for all the wonderful birthday wishes. To everyone else — you're dead to me.”
Tell them about your birthday
Some people may be genuinely interested in what you did for your birthday. If you had a big party or went away to celebrate, it's worth mentioning.
For example:
• “Thanks! I had an awesome day. My partner got me an amazing present, and then we had a quiet family meal. It was great.”
• “Thanks for remembering. It was pretty low-key this year, no wild parties or anything. Maybe next year, though!”
• “It's going to be a wild one! You're invited to my party, so I expect to see you there!”
Reply to everyone in one go on social media
This way, you can thank everyone together without having to make individual replies:
• “Thanks to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes! You guys all rock!”
• “It made my day to wake up to so many lovely messages. Thank you to all my friends.”
• “It would take my entire birthday to thank you all for the messages, but I read them all and am so grateful for all the kind words.”
Send a little card or note
Sending a card or note is usually when you've received a gift and want to thank that person. But there's no harm in sending a little note to say thanks if someone has made an effort to say happy birthday in a lovely way.
Stella Scott
Birthday wishes always make the occasion memorable, and it is vital to make those who send you the wishes feel appreciated from the bottom of your heart.
A simple word of gratitude goes a long way
A simple word of gratitude or thank you goes a long way to return some of the love back and show how grateful you are. Just ensure to do it timely and concisely.
However, how you respond to “Happy birthday” depends on whether you got the message through:
• social media channels
• text message
• a phone call
• in-person
Respond individually over text
The best way is to use the same platform on which the person sent you the wishes. For instance, if someone wishes you a happy birthday through a text message, it would be appropriate to respond individually over text.
Give them your full attention and deliver your thanks in person
The best way to thank someone for telling you happy birthday in person is to give them your full attention, make eye contact, and smile as you deliver your thanks.
Make the person feel special for their contribution to your birthday celebration. Be precise and tell the person what they would like to hear without criticizing them, bringing up an embarrassment, or doing something that might upset them.
For example, you can say:
“Thank you for the birthday wish, you are so kind, and I truly appreciate it.”
Ensure that you don't offend anyone on social media
The first thing is to ensure you don't offend anyone. If you got several messages from your closest ones, you could respond to them individually via personalized responses.
However, a single message on your wall will work if you are a frequent social media user and get many messages from different people.
For example, you can make a post saying:
“Thank you, everyone, for the love and birthday wishes! You are truly amazing.”
AJ Silberman-Moffitt
As I approach the big Five-O, I have had my share of birthdays. The next one will be a milestone birthday for me, and I am still unsure how I feel about that.
What I do know, however, is that when someone wishes me a “Happy Birthday,” I should be prepared to answer appropriately. But what are good ways to respond when someone wishes you a “Happy Birthday”? It can depend on who is saying it to you.
Keep it short and sweet if it's from a coworker or supervisor
You can simply say thank you to a coworker or supervisor because sometimes, it's best to keep it short and sweet. Saying thank you is polite and appropriate.
Your coworkers or supervisor may be wishing you well on your birthday because it seems the right thing to do, but that doesn't mean you need to start a long conversation about it.
Of course, if they ask you leading questions such as, “Do you have any plans for your big day?” you can respond accordingly.
Reply kindly if it's from a family member
If it's your mom or dad wishing you “Happy Birthday,” you can reply in kind. After all, you wouldn't have a birthday if it wasn't for them.
Siblings may also wish you well. You can take the opportunity with these family members to reminisce about days past, or when you were younger, even the silly things you did and the like.
A birthday greeting can be a great way to open up and start a conversation.
Talk about their birthday if it's from a friend
If a friend wishes you a “Happy Birthday,” they probably say it sincerely and not merely because it's the right thing to do.
In addition to the appropriate “Thank you,” why not talk about their birthday? Whether they are younger, older, or about the same age, you can talk about the similarities or differences that your birthdays might bring.
Make sure you respond politely
Whatever way you choose to respond to “Happy Birthday,” make sure you are polite. A simple “Thank you” will always suffice for anyone wishing you this.
Even if your birthday (like my Five-O) might not be something you are looking forward to, remember that these people wish you well. Let them know you appreciate the gesture.
Harriet Chan
It depends on the people who wish you or how you receive it
It may seem a simple question, yet the answer can depict someone's personality. So, it is wise to respond correctly depending on the people who wish you or how you receive it.
A close family member can be responded to with a hug
A direct wish from a close family member can be responded to with a hug and express your joy. A thank you may not be just enough or relevant for close ones.
After all, thank you can seem more formal. You can also write a handwritten note expressing your gratitude.
You can respond to your friends humorously
While replying to friends, you can go with the flow and be casual. If they are formal, you can thank them. If they are funny, you can also respond humorously. The key is not to overthink and just go with the flow.
Like your friends' birthday greetings on social media
If you receive a “Happy Birthday” message through social media, you can simply thank the person by writing a short message back.
“Thank you.” There is no need to try and find out the person as it may seem intrusive.
So, the next time you receive a “Happy Birthday” wish, think about the relationship you share with the person and reply accordingly!
John Hart
There are different ways with which people can wish you “Happy Birthday,” like social media, in-person, and at your birthday party.
If it's on social media
On Social media, you might be a member of various groups created by your friends or colleagues or your family and relatives, and they send you wishes in the group on your birthday.
“Thank you, everyone, for all your wishes. It really made my day.”
So here, you can respond to every wish one by one or just one “Thank You” to all. One “Thank You” to all is much easier than responding to every wish.
In one “Thank You” to all, you can say, “Thank you, everyone, for all your wishes. It really made my day.”
If someone wishes you in person
When someone wishes you in person, the situation can be anything like you are in school, college, or work, and people wish you there.
Give them a little treat on your birthday
At that time, you can respond like this: “Thank you so much. You remembered, and it means a lot to me.”
And it is a decent and polite move to give them a little treat on your birthday if you don't want to hold a party and invite them over.
They deserve this much, as they took the initiative and made efforts to remember your birthday and wished you on the day.
If it is at your birthday party
The other way is at your birthday party. You invite your friends, your family and relatives, your colleagues and your beloved and dear ones.
“Thank you so much. I'm so glad you came.”
They wish you a “Happy birthday” as soon as they arrive at your party, and sometimes they can even pull you into their embrace if you are very close to each other.
At this point, hug them back and say, “Thank you so much. I'm so glad you came.”
And for people you've met after a long time, you can say, “Thank you. Thank you so much for coming. I've been longing to see you.” With a bit of emphasis and emotions in your response, you can make the other person who wished you feel good.
Steve Anderson
Birthday greetings are usually significant for a person, and when it is your birthday, people will prepare surprises or give you wishes all day.
Here are a few ways to respond to “Happy Birthday” wishes:
Send out one thank-you note
If you use social media often, you may receive birthday wishes from strangers, old friends, and individuals you don't know. Even your buddies are unlikely to be anticipating a tailored answer.
It's standard practice to post a remark on your wall thanking everyone for their birthday wishes, and it's unlikely to upset anybody.
The following is an example of a response:
“Thank you very much for your birthday greetings! I'm having a fantastic time!”
“That was the ideal birthday present! You know everything about me.”
When feasible, thank someone in person after they offer you a birthday gift or go out of their way to make you a birthday wish. Give each buddy or group of friends your undivided attention, smile, and establish eye contact while expressing your gratitude.
Here are some suggestions about how to go about it:
• “Your card meant a great deal to me. It truly lifted my spirits.”
• “That was the ideal birthday present! You know everything about me.”
Tell your pal what they want to hear
Never criticize a present provided to you by a friend, bring up something humiliating, or do anything else that can irritate them. If you don't like the gift, try to discover something you do appreciate about it, or praise them for taking the effort to choose (or make) such a thoughtful gift.
Maria A. McDowell
Birthdays are always a moment when family and friends send their best wishes. Sometimes, the birthday wishes can get overwhelming, and you will be at a loss on how to reply to everyone.
Here is how to respond to “Happy birthday”:
“Thank you for your best wishes”
When you get a happy birthday message in person, you can respond by simply smiling and saying, “Thank You!” If it is a text, you can reply with, “Thank you for your best wishes.”
Share a general thank you message on your social media
If the messages are so much and overwhelming, the best way to respond is to share a general appreciation message on your social media page/handle. This saves you the trouble of replying individually to every message.
For example:
“Thank you, everyone, for sending your best wishes and celebrating this day with me. My heart is exploding with joy! Thank you!”
Share a birthday picture of yourself with a message
Suppose you want to respond personally to your birthday wishes. In that case, you can post your beautiful picture on any of your social media handles and curate an appreciation message to go with it. This gives your message a more personal touch.
Jacquelyn Kennedy
Respond with a simple and in-kind “Thanks”
All you have to do when someone wishes you a simple “Happy Birthday” is respond with an equally simple “Thanks.”
If someone has put a lot of thought and effort into wishing you a Happy Birthday, then you should respond in kind — by putting more effort into showing your gratitude.
Think of a handwritten “Thank you” card
If someone has brought you a gift, or baked you a cake, then think of a handwritten “Thank You” card with a personal, thoughtful touch (I always try to put a little doodle in mine — usually of one of their beloved pets, but also favorite foods, or inside jokes).
Take them out for lunch to show how thankful you are
If you have been lucky enough to have a friend or colleague organize a party for your birthday, I recommend taking them out for lunch to show how thankful you are.
It doesn't have to be expensive — it just has to be thoughtful, such as taking them to one of their favorite spots or surprising them with a delicious home-cooked meal.
David Reid
Reply with long-distance messages
If someone sends you an earnest birthday wish on social media, reply to yourself. Post the answer at least 3-5 sentences long — no need to respond to new posts on someone else's wall.
Older relatives, people with “low technology,” and people who do not use social media are more likely to expect individual responses.
Instead, post a photo (optional). If you want to thank people visually, take a picture of your smiling face wearing a party hat, birthday cake, or another birthday party. This shows that you are making little effort to make your gratitude special, but it is easy.
For example:
• “I am grateful for your good wishes,” you can say.
• “You are very kind, and I appreciate you remembering my birthday.”
• “Thank you for your birthday wishes. It means a lot to me.”
• “Grateful for your kindness towards my birthday.”
• “Sincerely, I wouldn't have done it without you making me remember this special day in my life. I will never forget all of your good words and compliments.”
Chris Myles
"Happy birthday to who? I’m not aging!"
The obvious answer is to simply respond with "Thank you," and there are infinite variations. It can be a simple and formal "Thank you," or it could be a more friendly "Thank you very much," or it could be something more personal.
You can also say thank you in person, over a text, with a card or letter — you get the idea.
If you want a goofy and fun response, there’s one that I like doing with friends and family. Instead of saying thank you, I say, "Happy birthday to who? I’m not aging!"
It usually leads to a conversation about birthdays, age, and how fast time passes. Or if the person doesn’t know you as well, they will worry about whether they have gotten the date right, so it can be a bit of a prank on them!
Share it on social media!