The study investigates gratitude expressions in EFL discourse, particularly the types and functions of gratitude expressions produced by Indonesian EFL students and those presented in English textbooks in primary and secondary schools. 26 undergraduate EFL students were recruited and requested to complete a discourse completion task (DCT). In addition, nine English course books for primary and secondary schools in Indonesia were analyzed. The findings indicate that Indonesians expressed thanking and gratitude differently in DCT and in textbooks. Indonesian EFL learners tend to use a more diverse gratitude expressions in DCT. The participants' gratitude expressions in DCT contain a sense of immediacy, making it more dynamic, adaptable, and spontaneous than those in the textbooks. Conversely, gratitude expressions in textbooks are more structured and follow certain established writing conventions. The findings add to our knowledge of the function of gratitude expressions in the context of language acquisition and intercultural communication.