How To Cheer Someone Up: Gifts, Quotes, and More

Whether it’s something little, like a failed test, or big, like a lost family member– grief can be overwhelming. And in those difficult times, it’s hard to know how to cheer that person up. Deciding whether to drop off a home cooked meal, take the person out for coffee, or even to try and cheer them up with your favorite jokes can be a struggle. We’re here to help. Check out our ideas for how to cheer someone up with gifts, quotes, and more.

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Ways To Cheer Someone Up

There are many different ways to cheer someone up. Depending on who that person is, they may prefer a funny joke over a gift of flowers, or the other way around. Figuring out how to cheer someone up means asking yourself how that person behaves, what their interests are, and whether or not they want to socialize while they grieve. Check out the following ideas for how to cheer someone up to help guide you in the right direction.

1. Give Gifts To Cheer Someone Up

Sometimes a simple gift can let the person know you’re thinking about them while they’re going through a tough time. Gifts are perfect for those who may not feel up to going out or just as a gentle reminder of your care for them. Check out our favorite gift ideas below, and then visit our gift finder to find more personalized gifts.

How to Cheer someone up with a gift

Travel Mug

Nothing beats a warm drink when you’re feeling down. Give the gift of a travel mug to someone who’s in need of a little TLC, and make it special by adding your favorite photos of the two of you.

Canvas Print

Using your favorite photo, or one of the quotes listed below, make your friend or loved one a custom canvas print. It’s sure to add a little bit of cheer to their home.

Personalized Candles

Personalized candles make a great gift when trying to cheer someone up because they offer comfort. Pick out their favorite scent, match it with an inspirational message or sweet photo, and surprise them with the perfect gift.

Fleece Photo Blanket

If the person you’re trying to cheer up just needs a few recovery days at home, help them out by gifting them something to keep them cosy. Add your favorite photos of the two of you to a fleece photo blanket and they’re sure to love it.

Custom Flower Pot and House Plant

A house plant makes for a classic “get well” gift, and is a great idea for anyone you’re trying to cheer up. Consider making the gift extra special by adding a customized flower pot with photos sure to cheer up your loved one.

Gratitude Journal

Gifting someone a gratitude journal is not only a kind gesture, but it helps enable them to get into a healthier mindset. Gift them a journal that’s just right for them, and teach them how to use it by using our resource on how to start a stratitude journal.

2. Tell Jokes To Cheer Someone Up

If the person you’re trying to cheer up has a good sense of humor, or if you’re just trying to brighten someone’s day after a small misstep, jokes can be just the right way to go. Check out the following one-liners when trying to figure out how to cheer someone up.

how to cheer someone up with jokes

  • “Q: What do you call a donkey with three legs. A: A wonkey donkey.”
  • “I often feel bad for showing up to work late, but then I make up for it by always leaving early.”
  • “Q: What do you call a nosy pepper? A: Jalapeño business.”
  • “I asked a frog why he’s so happy, and he said it’s because he just eats whatever bugs him.”
  • “Q: What do you call a guy with a rubber toe? Roberto.”
  • “I am a nobody, nobody is perfect, therefore I am perfect.”
  • “I wondered why the frisbee was getting bigger, and then it hit me.”
  • “Did you hear about the crook who stole a calendar? He got twelve months.”
  • “Q: What did the sea say to the sand? A: Nothing, he just gave a little wave.”
  • “The world tongue-twister champion just got arrested. I hear they’re gonna give him a really tough sentence.”
  • “Don’t you hate it when someone answers their own questions? I do.”
  • “My email password has been hacked. That’s the third time I’ve had to rename the cat.”
  • “Q: What did the big bucket say to the smaller one? A: Lookin’ a little pail there.”
  • “Need cheering up? Start a fight with somebody when they have the hiccups!”

3. Share Quotes To Cheer Someone Up When They Are Sad

Looking for the right words to cheer someone up? The following quotes can be sent over text, shared in a letter, or even be used in a gift.

how to cheer someone up with quotes

  • “When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top.” – Unknown
  • “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein
  • “Life is not a waste as long as there is at least one person in the world who cares for you. So when things go wrong and you feel like giving up – remember you’ve got me.” – Unknown
  • “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth
  • “What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it’s supposed to be.” – Unknown
  • “My entire life can be described in one sentence: It didn’t go as planned, and that’s ok.” – Rachel Wolchin
  • “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis
  • “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
  • “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” – Helen Keller
  • “Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller
  • “Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” – Thomas S Monson
  • “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.” – Benjamin Franklin
  • “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” –Charlie Chaplin

4. Send Pictures To Cheer Someone Up

Pictures and images, whether funny or sentimental, have a unique way of cheering us up. If you’re looking for specific pictures to cheer someone up, consider the following ideas:

  • Throwback Photo: Have you known this person for a long time? If so, you probably have plenty of old photos of the two of you. Send one of them to the person you want to cheer up with a kind message to brighten their day.
  • Funny Meme: Find a relevant and funny meme online or make one yourself and send it over to your friend. If you get a laugh out of them, you know you’ve done your job cheering them up.
  • Reminds Me of You: Did you see something that reminds you of that person? Snap a picture and send it along with the message “Thinking of you,” to show you care.
  • Physical Photo: Find a special photo of the two of you and print it out to give them. Having a physical copy of the good times is sure to help cheer them up. Don’t forget to frame the photo to make it extra special.

5. Take Them Somewhere New

Many people benefit from going outdoors or traveling somewhere new as a way to cope with difficult times. Help a friend who recently suffered a loss by taking them somewhere they’ve wanted to visit but haven’t yet found the time. Or just take them down the street to a new cafe that recently opened for a breath of fresh air.

how to cheer someone up by going on a new adventure

6. How To Cheer Someone Up Over Text

If you have limited time or if you live far away from the person you want to cheer up, texting them may feel like the best option. In that case, do your best to decide the best approach when contacting them out of the following:

  • Be Sincere. One of the best ways to reach out over text is to stay as sincere as possible. Start the exchange with sympathy and understanding. Focus the conversation on asking them how they’re feeling and responding appropriately. And if you’re looking for things to say, check out our favorite words of encouragement.
  • Be Humorous. If you know your friend responds better to humor, try keeping the conversation light hearted. Send them a funny inside joke or meme.
  • Be Active. One of the best ways to reach out to someone over text is by using it to set up later plans. Ask them to dinner or invite them out to a coffee to talk.

how to cheer someone up by texting

Other Resources for How To Cheer Someone Up

If you liked the above list on how to cheer someone up but you’re looking for additional resources, we’ve got you covered. Make sure to also check out the following content: