Late November is when the holiday season begins to ramp up, and schedules can quickly become filled with holiday activities, gift shopping, and family gatherings. Amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s important to slow down and remember what Thanksgiving is all about – being thankful for all the blessings you have in your life! We’ve compiled some reasons to practice gratitude this Thanksgiving season, as well as a multitude of things to be thankful for at any time of the year.
Reasons To Be Thankful
Whatever time of year it is, taking the time to think about and share reasons you’re thankful has benefits for you and the people around you. Whether you like to keep a list in your journal, express your thanks outloud to others, or just take a few minutes to think about the blessings in your day, practicing gratitude will have positive effects on you, and by extension, the community around you.
Gratitude Makes You Happier
Research has shown that practicing gratitude makes people happier. Taking just a few minutes each day to think about positive things in your life or good things that happened during your day will improve your overall happiness and wellbeing. Focusing on the positive can subconsciously encourage you to put your effort, attention, and energy into those things, whereas dwelling on the negative draws your energy and attention there.
Expressing Thanks Lifts Others
You never know how a few words will impact the people around you. Not only is it polite to say “thank you” sincerely and often for jobs and favors done for you by others, it can make them feel seen, appreciated, and even more confident. Lifting others up by recognizing a job well done or a positive impact that they make can lead to a kinder culture and community.
In addition to practicing seeing and speaking the good in others, learn how to accept thanks from others. Don’t brush off a “thank you” from a friend just because it didn’t seem like a big deal to you. It may have made a world of difference to them, and graciously accepting their thanks with a warm “you’re welcome” is far more polite than saying it was nothing.
Remember Not To Take Your Blessings For Granted
Taking time to occasionally think of things you’re thankful for is a great reminder not to take things for granted. Some situations, things, and relationships may not be there forever, and fully appreciating the positives about them now will help you soak them up while they last. Plus thinking about all the tiny good things in your life can help the negatives not seem quite so bad.
120 Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving
Sometimes we all need a little reminder of what’s good in our lives. From the big things that we need in order to thrive, to all the little joys that make life worth living, it can be easy to forget how much things really mean to us. We’ve compiled a list of 120 things that you might want to stop and appreciate during the Thanksgiving season.
The Big Things In Life
- A roof over your head
- Food on your table
- A job that gives you a paycheck
- Being able to support your family (or having someone who supports you)
- Your health
- The health of your loved ones
- Having a warm bed
- Relationships that give you love, comfort, and fulfillment
- Your basic human rights and freedoms
- That you’re alive to experience all the good things this world offers
The People Who Take You Far In Life
- Spouses or significant others
- Parents
- Children
- Grandparents
- Siblings
- Aunts and Uncles
- Cousins
- Nieces and Nephews
- Extended family
- In-laws
- Adoptive family
- Friends
- Mentors
- Co-workers
- A great boss
- Great employees
- Neighbors
- Religious community
- Teachers
- Classmates
- Doctors and medical professionals
- Deliver drivers
- Those who serve you in your community
- Customers who support your business
- Elected officials
- Spiritual leaders
Things That Bring You Joy
- A comfortable home
- Beloved pets
- Taking a vacation
- Being able to be physically active
- Having hobbies that excite and inspire you
- Having a job that you’re passionate about
- Living in a community you love
- Living somewhere with beautiful scenery
- Being able to stay connected with loved ones
- Traveling places you’ve always wanted to visit
- Having someone look up to you
- Establishing healthy habits
- The ability to serve your community
- Getting a promotion you’ve been hoping for
- Living a life that makes you proud
- Having a clear purpose in life
The Little Things In Life
- A hot cup of tea
- Coffee in your favorite mug
- Putting on fuzzy socks
- The sound of birds outside your window
- The TV show that keeps you going
- Snuggling up with a great book
- Your favorite coffee shop
- Savoring a piece of chocolate
- Burning a pretty scented candle
- The feeling of clean sheets
- Fresh flowers from your garden
- A podcast that inspires and motivates you
- A singer or band whose music you can’t live without
- Lazy weekend mornings
- Getting a letter from a friend
- Your favorite piece of art
- The local farmers market
- Bubble baths
- Having a park you love to visit
- Fresh baked cookies
- Sharing a homemade meal
- Free shipping
- A newly cleaned house
- Baby laughs and baby snuggles
- Fresh air coming in the windows on a nice day
- The smell of clean laundry
- Going for a walk in a scenic place
- Taking time to watch the birds
- Having plans to look forward to
- House plants that brighten up your space
- Having a cozy night in
- A weekend without plans
- Having someone to hold hands or snuggle with
- The sound of waves crashing on a beach
- Good hair days
- The smell of wildflowers
- Hitting all the green lights
- Eating your favorite dinner
- Enjoying veggies from your garden
- A local business that you love
- Having a working car
- When your favorite store is having a sale
- Neighborhood cats
- Good grades
- Moments when you get to act like a kid
- When your desk is organized and pretty
- The feeling of putting on your favorite outfit
- Getting a call or text with happy news
- Getting home from work early
- When your favorite book or movie gets a sequel
- When your favorite show gets renewed
- Snow days
- A friendly wave and a smile from a stranger
- Putting on comfy clothes at the end of the day
- Making a new friend
- Receiving your order from White Clover Paper Co.
Thanksgiving Things
- Pumpkin pie
- Fall colors
- The smell of Thanksgiving cooking and baking
- Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Taking a nap while watching football
- An inviting fireplace
- Holiday deals
- Sweater weather
- Family traditions
- Playing games together
- Thanksgiving leftovers the next day
- Being surrounded by family and friends
Ways To Share Your Gratitude
Expressing what you’re thankful for can inspire others to remember what they’re thankful for, too, and it can make others feel appreciated. Here are some ideas for sharing what you’re thankful for with others.
Write A Gratitude List
Jot down a list of things that come to mind when you think about what you’ve been thankful for over the last year. You can do this on Thanksgiving, or start a few days before and watch how the list of things you come up with grows. Read your list to a friend, share it at dinner, or post it on social media – or keep it in a drawer or journal just for yourself to revisit from time to time.
Take Every Opportunity To Say “Thank You”
Say “thank you” a little extra during the Thanksgiving season. Look for the small ways that those around you improve the world – from the grocery store employee who takes great care, to the barista at your favorite coffee shop who has your regular order down. You’ll brighten their day by taking note of the effort they put in, and you may inspire kindness in others.
Share What You’re Thankful For At Thanksgiving Dinner
Encourage family and friends gathered at Thanksgiving dinner to come up with things they’re thankful for. Go around the table and take turns sharing something you’re most thankful for from the last year. This is a fun activity for adults and kids!
Say A Thanksgiving Prayer
Before digging into your Thanksgiving dinner, share a Thanksgiving prayer with those you’re gathered with. Thank God for all the wonderful things He has given you in your life, and ask for continued blessings for the next year. Here is an example prayer you can use:
Father in Heaven,
We thank you for the many blessings you’ve given us in our lives: for our health, for our loved ones, and for all that we have. Thank you for watching over each and every one of us and for the ways you show us mercy every day. Thank you for being with us in all of our joys and triumphs and in our losses and sorrows. Thank you most of all for sending us the gift of your son, Jesus. We ask that you bless us today and always.
Amen
Send Thanksgiving Notes In The Mail
Use this Thanksgiving season as an opportunity to send notes of thanks and appreciation to friends and loved ones. Keep them short and sweet, and write a few lines to each friend about what it means to you to have them in your life. Tell them what you appreciate most about them and why you’re thankful for them.
Find greeting cards that are perfect for the occasion from White Clover Paper Co. Browse our selection of thank you cards, fall cards (including Thanksgiving cards), and just because cards to find the perfect canvas for all your notes of appreciation.
