5 Ways to Practice Gratitude as a Family This Thanksgiving

It’s hard not to practice gratitude when November’s biggest holiday invites us to embody an attitude of thankfulness.

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that the invitation to encourage gratitude, both as individuals and as families, is rooted in the tenets of Christianity.

In Scripture, the word “gratitude” (and other variations in Greek) is mentioned 157 times. After all, according to Galatians 5:22-23, gratitude is a fruit that leads to greater joy and peace.

Are you interested in finding meaningful ways to foster gratitude as a family during the Thanksgiving season?

Here are five ideas to practice around the table and beyond:

1. 1. Make a gratitude jar. Every year, the ritual looks the same on our kitchen counter: a giant Mason jar takes center stage. Instead of filling it with homemade kombucha or cider, as we are prone to do at other times of the year, the jar is empty but for a homemade sign on the front that says “gratitude.” Before it sits, a couple of markers and some loose pieces of paper throughout the whole month of November; every time one of us finds something to be thankful for, we write it down and stick it in the jar. At the end of the month, we dump all the thankful notes out onto the dining room table and read them aloud. The gratitude jar is a favorite tradition and one that encourages every member of the family to really practice and look for gratitude! Just like Scripture says of the Fruits of the Spirit, the fruit of love really tends to make itself known when we read and remember all the memories.

1. 1. Say your rose, bud, and thorn. Whether you call this activity “Rose, Bud, and Thorn,” “Highs, Lows, and Surprises,” or something else, sharing “something from your day that was difficult, something that was wonderful, and something strange, odd or surprising,” is often a helpful prompt when it comes to fostering gratitude. When my family engages in this activity around the dinner table, it’s equally amazing to see how a spirit of kindness grows toward one another. We’re hearing about each other’s days; we’re sharing vulnerability; we’re remembering the good (and, likewise, the hard), and we’re honoring one another in turn.

1. 1. Read a book that celebrates gratitude together. Even though my boys are beyond the age of sitting on my lap to read a book together, we still regularly read together as a family. Sometimes, we sit in the same room, each reading our own book. More often, we gather in the living room, turn off the television, and read a book to one another. For one mother, “making it a habit to slow down and read together is worth it,” namely because it opens the door to real conversations. Along these lines, it’s easy to find books with themes of gratitude and generosity. As a parent, I find that the fruit of gentleness often takes root and grows during this special time together: as we slow down to read together, gentleness builds up in our souls. It’s a beautiful thing! Otherwise, if you’re looking for a book on gratitude, I recommend Those Shoes for young readers, New from Here for middle-grade readers, and If You Come Softly for young adult readers. What other books would you add?

1. 1. Practice “Warm Fuzzies” at Thanksgiving dinner. Sometimes, gratitude needs to be spelled out for all to see! Such is the case with this activity, which is perfect for the Thanksgiving table. Author Audrey Monke instructs readers to put an oversized place card at each person’s dining spot. Then, “throughout the afternoon and evening, people write something they appreciate or are grateful for about each person” on their respective cards. By directing everyone to write on everyone else’s cards, the keepsakes serve as an encouragement in the days and months to come. And when it comes to the Fruits of the Spirit, it’s not hard to imagine how this one practice could add a whole lot of joy and encouragement to someone’s life. Here’s to spreading warm fuzzies all around!

1. Model and teach the gratitude you want to see. Perhaps it comes as no surprise, but gratitude in our families often starts with us as parents. After all, just as we provide the blueprints for what our children should say and do in certain situations, we model the gratitude we want our children to embody. For two doctors, “expressing gratitude through words, writing, and small gifts or acts of reciprocity are all ways to teach children how to become grateful.” Perhaps you, as a parent, make it a goal to say one thing you’re grateful for during after-school pick-ups each day. Maybe you aim to leave a note of thankfulness for another family member at least once a week. Whatever it is, by leading first with gratitude, we further ground ourselves in a spirit of peace. It’s hard not to see the positive effects after all is said and done!

 
Whatever you do, might you find meaningful ways to foster gratitude as a family during the Thanksgiving season. Might thankfulness be yours, in abundance!