Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in our lives. While traditional activities like sharing what we are thankful for during a meal are wonderful, incorporating novel Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving gratitude activities can add a creative and meaningful touch to the holiday. Today we share ideas about how to show gratitude at Thanksgiving (or anytime).
On the holiday itself, participating in these activities together with family and friends may also help pass the time, fill lulls in conversation, and provide a new topic to engage in together.
And doing new things is always good for both our heart and minds.
How to Show Gratitude
Thanksgiving gratitude activities can keep stress levels in check and keep thankfulness front and center during what can sometimes be an emotional day.
See below for a collection of unique gratitude activities to try out on Thanksgiving, making the day even more memorable and fostering a deeper sense of gratitude among family and friends.
Gratitude Jar
Set up a Gratitude Jar and provide slips of paper and pens for everyone to write down what they are grateful for throughout the day.
Encourage everyone to fold their notes and place them in the jar throughout the Thanksgiving gathering.
At the end of the day, take turns reading the notes aloud, sharing the gratitude and appreciation expressed by each person.
How to Show Gratitude: Scavenger Hunt
Create a gratitude-inspired scavenger hunt for family and friends to participate in.
Instead of searching for physical objects, they will be searching for moments of gratitude.
Prepare a list of gratitude prompts, such as finding something in nature to be grateful for or thanking someone for their kindness.
Give participants time to complete the scavenger hunt and share their experiences afterward.
Or get yourself a pre-packaged scavenger hunt especially for Thanksgiving – there are options for children and adults.
Some of them include challenges like “take a selfie doing X” – and other activities that can create fun and laughter for people of all ages.
Why not inject more fun in your Thanksgiving?
How to Show Gratitude: Volunteer as a Group
Thanksgiving is a perfect time to come together as a family or group of friends and give back to the community.
Find local volunteer opportunities, such as serving meals at a shelter or organizing a food drive.
Working together to help those in need can deepen the sense of gratitude and create lasting memories of the holiday.
Gratitude Photography
Encourage everyone to bring their phones or cameras and go on a gratitude-themed photo walk.
Invite participants to capture images of things they are grateful for, whether it’s a beautiful sunset, a loved one’s smile, or a simple moment of joy.
Afterward, create a slideshow or collage of the photos to display during the Thanksgiving meal, prompting conversations about gratitude.
Thank You Letters
Gather materials like paper, pens, and envelopes.
Encourage guests to spend some time during the day to write heartfelt thank-you letters to express gratitude to family members, friends, or anyone who has made a positive impact in their lives.
These letters can be shared later or mailed as a surprise gesture of appreciation.
Another option for the little ones – ask them to draw a picture of something they are grateful for – be sure to have paper and crayons available.
How to Show Gratitude: Play a Gratitude Game
Create a game board with gratitude-themed questions and prompts.
Gather everyone around and take turns rolling dice to advance through the board.
Each square will have a different gratitude-related activity or question, such as sharing a fond memory, expressing appreciation for a family tradition, or writing down qualities they admire in each family member.
Or if you’re like me, and not very crafty or creative – purchase a game that everyone can enjoy by following the link below.
There are many reasonable games that can create a fun distraction for both adults and children.
How to Show Gratitude at Thanksgiving or Anytime
Thanksgiving provides a wonderful opportunity to cultivate gratitude and appreciation.
By incorporating these novel gratitude activities into your day, you can make the holiday even more memorable and meaningful.
Embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving and create lasting memories while cultivating a grateful heart.
To find the best music to have as a backdrop for your celebration, visit The Best Thanksgiving Playlist.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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