Thursday, November 1, 2012

5 Ways To Express Gratitude At Thanksgiving {Gimme Five For Friday}

Thanksgiving is the time of year to bring to mind all of the blessings and reasons to be thankful in our lives.  We spend way too much time focusing on all of the things that we think would make our life complete and sometimes forget just how fortunate we really are. If we have our families and our health, we are truly rich beyond measure.  Here are five ways to express gratitude during the Thanksgiving season:

1.  The Thankful Tree:  A tree with notes of thankfulness on each branch.  This could be notes written only by you or by every member of the family.  What a great feeling to read a note that someone is thankful for you!

The Thankful Tree
2.  Thanksgiving Tablecloth:  This is such a sweet, sentimental way to cherish the memories of Thanksgivings over the years.  Every year, everyone signs the tablecloth (just a king size white sheet) with colored permanent markers and then it is embroidered onto the tablecloth to be there forever.  This family has been doing this for over 30 years. 



3.  Operation Gratitude:  Send a soldier overseas a care package to show your gratitude and support for all they do. There is also a special deal going on  with Hickory Farms for the holidays. Plus, if you “Like” its page on Facebook during the month of November, Hickory Farms will donate $.10 to Operation Gratitude (Max. donation $10,000 valid through 11/30/12).  Please ask all your friends to “Like” the page too — those dimes will add up fast and make a huge difference for our Military!


4. Invite someone unexpected to spend Thanksgiving with you:  While you are obsessing over your new napkin rings, there is probably someone you know who will be spending Thanksgiving alone.  Maybe a coworker or a neighbor that has no family nearby.  Invite them to spend Thanksgiving with you and make their holiday a little brighter while you realize their good company is yet another reason you have to be thankful. 


5. The Thankful Bucket: Fill it up with all of the things you are thankful for.  Then, after everyone has filled up, take turns reading aloud all of the reasons to be thankful.  All of our buckets should be full! 

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There are so many ways we can express our gratitude- little acts of kindness towards others, thank you notes, baking goodies, handmade gifts, our prayers.  How will you express your gratitude?  Does your family have any traditions of showing thankfulness? 


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6 comments:

  1. great ideas! I absolutely love the thankful tree

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  2. Hi, Kathie. Thanks for linking this up at the One Creative Weekend: Thanksgiving Treats and Fall Fun Linky Party today. Five awesome ideas. The table cloth is so fun, and I like this thankful tree, too. It's kind of like a grown-up version of mine. Also--thanks for hooking me up with another gluten-free blogger. I visited the link for the thankful tree, and she blogs gluten-free. Yay! More recipes for me!

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  3. Great ideas!! I especially love the thankful tree...what a great concept!!

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  4. love all the ideas!!! I'm hosting a Thanksgiving party all month long (until Thanksgiving) and would love for you to come over and link it up! This is in addition to my normal Tasteful Tuesday party that runs every Tuesday. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate Thanksgiving and be THANKFUL for all our blessings. http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/10/pull-apart-pumpkin-maple-bread-and.html

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  5. Wonderful ideas!
    Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/creative-thanksgiving/ Have a great weekend!

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  6. Such great ideas! Thanks so much to linking them to the Thanksgiving Treats & Fall Fun party! I'm one of your co-hosts. Have a great day!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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