Gratitude—it’s a word that gets tossed around like confetti at a New Year’s Eve party. We’re all supposed to be grateful, but how we express it can be as varied as our choice of coffee orders. Personally, my gratitude toolkit includes saying “thank you,” sharing a laugh, and occasionally buying a little gift. After all, who doesn’t love a surprise latte or a quirky mug that says, “World’s Okayest Friend”?

Just as we have love languages, it turns out we might have gratitude languages too. When I took that love language quiz, it turns out I’m all about buying small gifts. Though, I probably should retake it just in case my love language has changed to something more sophisticated—like interpretive dance.

Gratitude languages seem to operate on the same wavelength: touch, affirmation, acts of service, gifting, and spending time. My go-to moves are gifting and doing acts of service. After all, nothing says “I appreciate you” quite like a well-timed favor or a thoughtful token. It’s like a gratitude tango: you give a little, you get a little.

But here’s the kicker—gratitude can feel a bit transactional. It’s like, “I’ll do this for you, and you’ll know I’m grateful.” But is that really true gratitude, or just polite reciprocity? True gratitude, I think, is when you give thanks without expecting anything in return. It’s when you share a laugh, not because you want something, but because you genuinely enjoy the moment.

So, next time you feel grateful, think about how you express it. Maybe it’s through a hug, a heartfelt note, or yes, even a quirky mug. Whatever it is, let it be genuine and let it be you. Because in the end, true gratitude is about connection, not just a transaction. And if you can throw in a laugh, well, that’s just the cherry on top.