I don't know about you, but I can't believe we're celebrating Thanksgiving next week! Time goes by quickly, doesn't it?
It seems we're all so rushed these days that we don't always remember to stop and think about those two little words that make up this delicious holiday: thanks and giving. So, today I thought I'd just share a few small ways you can help everyone in your family to really reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, you can still use the ideas!
Here we go:
1. Take an empty tissue box, or cut a hole in any type of box really, and make it your family's "Box of Thanks." You can decorate it, if you like. Then, leave some index cards and a pen or pencil next to it. The idea is for every family member to (secretly) write down at least one or two people, places, events, or things he or she is thankful for each day and deposit them into the box.
If you start a week or two before Thanksgiving, you'll have accumulated quite a few words of thanks. Then, you can read them out loud during your Thanksgiving dinner!
2. Ask your children who they are thankful to have in their lives, and have them draw and write a homemade card for that person. They could either mail it in advance, or give it to the person on the actual holiday. What a way to put a smile on a grandparent's face!
By the way, my children used to love to make handprint turkeys. The thumb is the head and the fingers are the feathers. Why not make turkeys in a variety of colors? You could even make them into place cards, with a special message of thanks for each guest.
3. Make a habit of asking your children what they're thankful for each day or night, or have them keep a gratitude journal. Help them think about little things that happen every day that make their day better. It's a great way to help them focus on the positive things instead of the negative ones.
4. Make sure your child says please and thank you to others, including yourself! The more they say these words at home, the more likely they are to say them to others when they're not. Hey, you can even teach them to say these words in other languages.
5. Assign your children different tasks in preparation for the big day. Whether it's help with cooking, food shopping, or setting the table, it's a great way to share quality time together.
Can't you just smell the pumpkin pie? Please feel free to add to this list!