Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious food you will sit down to enjoy with a family. Seated around the dinner table with intellectual conversations amidst the smells of hot food sounds like something to be grateful for, but there is more to Thanksgiving than just showing gratitude for a meal well cooked. Today, I invite you to open your mind to showing gratitude in unique ways, read along to see 4 ways to show gratitude this Thanksgiving …
Give Praise to Family with Praise Circle
Sitting around the dinner table at a Thanksgiving family gathering is the perfect place to show gratitude to those who you may only see but once a year. In my experience family is always there for you, whether they are happy or disappointed about this fact, they will forever be there. Take time at the dinner table to take turns saying kind words of gratitude to each family member for something they have done in the past for you. Starting Thanksgiving dinner with a praise circle, each member taking turns until each has given thanks to another family member, is a fabulous way to encourage a positive dinner experience.
Act of Kindness
A kind gesture can go a long way; maybe one or two family members were in charge of cooking your Thanksgiving meal. After your family has finished eating, let the meal maker take a relaxing moment where you pick up dishes, clean up leftover food and show them you appreciate their hard work by cleaning up. I always say, the person who cooks shouldn’t be left to clean up the mess! An act of kindness such as clean up duty, watching the children for the other adults or giving hugs to each family member can really change the family gathering into a positive experience for all.
Listen to Every Story and Conversation
Open your ears and truly listen to every family member, each of these members may only see you once a year, take this time to hear what is going on in their life. Everyone needs someone to ramble to and have them listen with heartfelt emotions. Whether you agree or disagree with the topic of conversation, hold back the rebuttals and negative commentary, instead take the time to just listen without judgment and personal opinion. Opening your ears and listening to someone is an easy form of gratitude and can make someone’s day more relaxing.
Bring a Gift to the Meal Maker
If you are a family where one person is predominantly in charge of making the first course meal, then bring a gift to that person. If you have children, it will be a fun experience making a Thanksgiving Craft Gift for the person who will be feeding you all on this special day. Gifts can be simple, heartfelt and cost little to no money. The kind gesture of giving a gift to the meal maker will really help brighten their day and show them you appreciate the time they took to cook this family meal.
Make Thanksgiving Meals Happier
So many families complain that their family is dysfunctional when sitting around the dinner table once a year, most would rather sit at home because they fear that the family will collide in a battle of opinions. Each of the 4 ways to show gratitude this Thanksgiving listed in this article will assist you in being proactive to creating a positive family dining experience. Showing your gratitude to family is so important, even with a difference of opinions, a family’s love should forever be unconditional.
What are some ways you have made Thanksgiving meals happier?
I love the idea of bringing a gift to the meal maker!! That’s a lot of hard work the person cooking goes through, even if it’s fun for them too!
We don’t really have thanksgiving meals(celebrations) here but this year I’ve made a thanksgiving tree in the home and the kids are slowly filling it out weekly with their messages of gratitude on the leaves.
Random acts of kindness are amazing. I remember being at Dunkin Donuts one day last year and the person in front of me paid for my order. It was the nicest thing!
Up until about 6 years ago I used to get excited about holidays. I did not have a lot of family around me at the time so my mom would always do her best to make a good meal and we’d invite those we knew who needed a place to go. Now, I am closer to my family and never see them. However, hubs family is close and the situations with his family and then having to share time with his daughter since she has to spend half the day with her mom and the other half with her dad (hubs.) Holidays have become way too dramatic and stressful.
Great ways to show your kids to be greatful as well. We will be doing some of these activities together as a family.
I think listening to every story is something that is too often overlooked! It is a gift to the story teller and often a gift to the listener. Sometimes technology can keep us from listening with undivided attention, but this is a great reminder that it is truly a gift!
What great ideas! I’m always the one making Thanksgiving dinner. I’d appreciate it if someone brought me a gift. LOL
Bringing a little something for the host is very good. I know how hard it is to get it all together.
These are all great ideas. I like the idea of bringing a gift to the hostess/host of the get-together.
I love the idea of a praise circle. There are so many ways to give thanks. These are all great ideas.
I love Thanksgiving with my family. We are such a lively bunch that we always have a great time.
Kindness should be an everyday thing. People should realize how important kindness is.
Great tips! And all so very important I think all year ’round.. Especially holidays!
Love random acts of kindness. we have so much to be thankful for all year why not spread it.
This is a great time of the year to give back for sure. It is always a blessing to give back
These are great ideas. I love giving back with my family. I also have my Girl Scout troop give meals for Thanksgiving.
So glad that you’re focusing on Thanksgiving instead of glazing over! WE definitely have lots to thanksful for
I always help my MIL clean up, and in her huge family, I’m always the only one. That never ceases to amaze me. Def. the one who does the cooking, should at least have help w/the cleaning!
I love the idea of bringing a gift to the host! We usually all help bring food so the host doesn’t get overwhelmed!
Bringing the meal maker a gift is an awesome idea! It takes A LOT of work to put together a Thanksgiving meal, and a little gift of appreciation would be such a lovely thought!
I never attend any get together empty handed. I know the host has worked hard on some great food for everyone, so it’s only right to bring something to say thanks.
Great tips! I love the “bring a gift to the mealmaker” idea.
I love the listening suggestion. So often we forget to listen. I think that this would make a big impact for people this holiday. Some days you just want to be heard – KWIM?
Awesome post. I love that you are thinking of the true meaning of this holiday rather than just the food.
Seeing I am the meal maker, I like the idea of bringing me a gift! Preferably one that would help making the meal a little easier, like a side or dessert 🙂
These are such great reminders. It truly is better to give and help others!
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