18 Ways to Give Thanks
By Emily Battaglia, LifeScript Staff Writer
Thanksgiving has come a long way since the time of the Pilgrims and Indians. Today, it’s an opportunity to get the family together to watch football and feast on turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Sure, we know that you’re thankful when your favorite team wins the big game, but do you really take the time to verbalize your gratitude for bigger things? Do you tell your loved ones how much they mean to you? Take advantage of this holiday and the month that surrounds it with these 18 ways to give thanks. Plus: How good are your manners?
Thanksgiving Day Gratitude
1. Before dinner, throw everyone’s name in a hat. Then have each person pick a name and explain why they’re thankful for that person.
2. Express thanks with your decorations. When you set the table, write down each guest’s name and why you’re thankful for them or one quality you admire about them. Or simply write a little statement such as, “I am blessed to eat such a wonderful meal with those I love and appreciate most in this world.”
3. Create a family journal that will be brought out every Thanksgiving. Each family member writes things that they are thankful for throughout the year, and on the day of Thanksgiving, the family brings out the journal to read out loud to each other.
Thanksgiving has come a long way since the time of the Pilgrims and Indians. Today, it’s an opportunity to get the family together to watch football and feast on turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. Sure, we know that you’re thankful when your favorite team wins the big game, but do you really take the time to verbalize your gratitude for bigger things? Do you tell your loved ones how much they mean to you? Take advantage of this holiday and the month that surrounds it with these
4. Give a Thanksgiving gift to a local homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter or convalescent home. Your gift can be anything from a turkey to a homemade decoration for their Thanksgiving celebration.
5. Clean all of the Thanksgiving pots, pans and dinnerware after dinner without having to be asked or told, especially if you didn’t cook.
6. Say grace before digging in.
7. Donate to your favorite charity, but don’t forget to include a little note on a piece of paper or on the check about why you have chosen to support their cause.
Everyday Gratitude
8. Show your appreciation for your hairdresser, dry cleaner or babysitter by baking them cookies or buying them a gift certificate to the movies.
9. Gather up any old toys, clothes, home furnishings, etc. and deliver them to a Salvation Army, homeless or battered women’s shelter or a thrift store.
10. Write a letter to your mayor, local congressman, senator, or anyone who is using their position to accomplish great things, and thank them for representing what you believe in.
11. Do something unexpected for your husband, like taking his car in for a car wash or waking up early to make his favorite lunch for work.
12. Show your gratitude for your favorite small business by spreading the word about it to a friend or coworker to help their business grow.
13. Thank your feet for all of the standing and walking they do or thank your hands for their hard work by treating yourself to a do-it-yourself foot massage or hand massage, or splurge on a professional.
14. Cook a large dinner for the men and women of your local fire department.
15. Show your gratitude for the beauty of nature and give your lawn some TLC. Plant new seeds for fruits, veggies, plants, or flowers.
16. Drop a little email or handwritten note to a coworker or to your employees, letting them know what a good job they’re doing or what an asset they are to the company.
17. If you’ve recently moved or have never registered to vote, demonstrate your gratitude for your right to vote by re-registering or registering for the first time.
18. Take the time to thank a veteran or visit a veteran’s home in honor of November’s Veteran’s Day with a token of your appreciation, or just to sit and chat with them.