5 Fun Ways to Put the “Thanks” into Thanksgiving

It’s all about the turkey, right? Or is it football for you? Pumpkin pie? Maybe it’s the Thanksgiving Day parade. Whatever it is, we all enjoy this big day of feasting and family. But there’s so much more to it. On this special Thursday, we’re called upon to appreciate all our blessings. Read on to learn our 5 fun, simple ways to cultivate that “attitude of gratitude.”

Our 5 Favorite Ways to Develop Gratitude

• Keep a Blessings Jar – Throughout the year, write the things that give you happiness on a piece of paper. Save the scraps in a decorative jar and read them aloud on Thanksgiving.
• Create a Thankful Tree – Give everyone a leaf cut from paper. Have them write down three things they are most grateful for in their life. Attach the leaves to a small branch or tree, or create a tree shape on the wall and tape the leaves on.
• Share thanks – Go around the dinner table and ask everyone to name at least one thing they’re thankful for this year.
• Start a gratitude journal – Studies show that gratitude journaling can have a positive impact on your emotional and physical well-being. Write about what you’re thankful for to keep yourself in a positive state of mind.
• Write a “gratitude letter” – Writing a gratitude letter to an important person in your life whom you’ve never properly thanked can have a strong and long-lasting happiness boost. This is especially true when gratitude letters are delivered in person. Gratitude brings us happiness, reduces anxiety, strengthens relationships, promotes forgiveness and is good for our bodies.

Survey your family and see if any of these ideas resonate. Then get to work and make this Thanksgiving the thanks-giving-est one ever!