8 Ways to Express Gratitude this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to focus on taking a pause and being present, to savor the food, the memories and most importantly, the family and loved ones you surround yourself with.
Thanksgiving is also a perfect opportunity to teach kids about gratitude and thankfulness. Because while kids are growing and learning all the time, one of the most important jobs we have as parents is to teach them the stuff they can’t learn by using flashcards or reading books. Things like how to be kind and caring and to appreciate what they have.
Here are eight ways to practice gratitude this Thanksgiving season.
Create a Gratitude Jar
We started the tradition of creating a Gratitude Jar in my house and now it is one of my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving holiday. You can label it a Thankful Jar, Gratitude Jar, Blessings Jar or whatever phrase you want to use. It is such a great way to reflect on all the things you are thankful for as you prep for the Thanksgiving holiday, have each family member write them down, and read them out loud at Thanksgiving dinner. For us, it has given the holiday so much more meaning.
How to make a gratitude jar:
Use a large glass vase or mason jar.
Decorate it with lights, stickers, paint, markers, flowers, or whatever your little artists are inspired to create
Tie a label onto your jar with ribbon or string. Raffia or twine will get your thankful jar an autumn-inspired look.
Once you have your thankful jar made, it’s time to start filling it up with gratitudes.
You can use prompts such as:
What are you thankful for?
What made you happy today?
Who are you thankful for in your life?
Paint Gratitude Rocks
This is one of the simplest gratitude activities for kids. Ask them to gather some rocks and then paint words or pictures of what they’re thankful for, such as their family, pets, or other favorite things. They can then distribute them around the neighborhood to share the thanksgiving spirit or use them to decorate your entryway for Thanksgiving.
Volunteer to Give Back to Your Community
Nothing feels better for the soul than serving those in need. According to a study published in Social Science & Medicine, participants who volunteered weekly were much more likely to report being very happy than those who did not volunteer. Gather the family and decide upon a service project to do together. Volunteer at a local shelter, feed the homeless, serve dinner at a soup kitchen, visit a nursing home or participate in a local canned food drive. Helping others in need is a valuable lesson for children and helps them learn compassion and empathy for others.
Express Thanks to your Neighbors
Extend an invitation to a neighbor who does not have family in town to join your family for Thanksgiving, or organize a neighborhood potluck. Our neighborhood coordinates a breakfast potluck the morning after Thanksgiving so all the kids can play together and get some exercise in the fresh air after feasting the day before. Pick flowers or pick up a fall bouquet from a local florist, add a hand-written thank you card and hand deliver them to neighbors to let them know you’re thankful for them. (Depending on your children’s ages, have them write the note or draw a picture inside and your neighbors will treasure it.)
Mom it Forward
Every mom deserves a break but as moms, we often find it hard to ask for help. Take this burden off another mom by offering to watch her child(ren) for a few hours so she can get her nails done, hair done, go to a workout class, or just enjoy some peace and quiet to do whatever she wants. Giving another mom the gift of time for herself may just be the best gift you can give during this hectic time of year.
Start a Gratitude Journal
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start a gratitude journal and get into a daily practice of writing down and reflecting on what you’re thankful for. Take time each day to acknowledge one to three good things you experienced that day and one to three successes. This gives you a way to reflect on the positive outcomes of the day, versus dwelling on the day’s frustrations. Go back and review it whenever you need a reminder of your amazing accomplishments. The daily practice helps me keep my head up and cultivate a positive attitude, especially when times get tough in motherhood, my career or in any other aspect of my life.
Express Self-Gratitude
Lastly, the most important thing is to express self-gratitude. As moms, we tend to be our own worst critic, so this is a time to shift your mindset and give yourself grace. Create a plan to spend some time, whether it’s for a few hours or even a whole day, dedicated to yourself. Start by listening to a gratitude meditation while you enjoy your morning coffee or tea, and remind yourself what you are grateful for about your body, your personality, your skills as a mom. Then take some time to invest in YOU, spending it how you choose. Here are a few ideas for inspo:
Treat yourself to a pedicure
Go to a yoga class
Go on a coffee date with yourself or a friend
Get a facial or massage
Listen to your favorite podcast
Turn off social media for the day
Curl up on the couch with a book
Light candles, try a new diffuser blend and take a bath
Watch an extra episode of your favorite show
Wear comfy clothes and your favorite slippers all day
Create a Thankfulness Centerpiece
There is no better centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table than one that is handmade. Create a Thankfulness tree to decorate your table before your guests arrive, and invite your guests to participate as well by adding to your tree when they arrive. Here is how to create one:
Go outside and gather long, thin branches (you can also find these at a crafts store). Spray paint them a color of your choice and place them in a tall vase.
Cut circles the size of a silver dollar out of colored construction paper. Punch a hole in the top of each circle and lace a ribbon through each one.
Have the members of your family and your Thanksgiving guests write one thing that they are grateful for on a circle and hang it from one of the branches.
At your Thanksgiving feast, ask each person to share what they wrote.
