Looking for ways to show gratitude this holiday season? Maybe you’re looking for your family or just yourself! Keep reading for ten of my favorite ways.
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I thought this post was just perfect today as we are celebrating Thanksgiving. Most of us love the holiday season, but it can be a lot. We pour out so much of ourselves, our time and our money to others that we are overworked, overstressed and barely hanging on. But this is a time to celebrate the Lord and give thanks. But with such long to-do lists this time of year, sometimes that ends up getting completely overlooked. Keep reading for some great ways to show gratitude and practice gratefulness this holiday season so that you end up feeling happy and renewed.
10 Ways to Show Gratitude this Holiday Season
1.) Pray first thing in the morning – Our morning sets the tone for our entire day, so why not start it out on the right foot by praying first thing in the morning? Remember what He has done for us and practicing gratefulness first thing in the morning will set you up for success with a grateful heart.
2.) Practice acts of kindness and generosity – Pay for the person’s coffee in line behind you. Write a hand written note or letter to a friend. Compliment a stranger. Deliver flowers to a family member. Mail a care package to someone who needs it. Do something unexpected for no reason at all other than to pass on kindness to others.
3.) Spend quality of time with others and really listen to them – It can be easy go get caught up talking all about yourself and your family, but sometimes we need to really spend quality time with others and focus on them. Put your phone down and just listen first. Then talk later. Focus on them and what they need and want. This is a good practice for everyone, but especially if you’re a talker and have a hard time listening first (this is a good reminder for myself especially!)
4.) Practice humility – Listen to others. Give your time and your money. Put others’ needs before your own. Remember that we have what we have because of Him.
5.) Take some time to focus on yourself – As much as gratefulness is about being thankful for others, it is also about being thankful for what we have too. It is a great time to time some me time and read, jot in your journal, do yoga or just take a bath. Time to renew your mind, body and soul is just as important as taking time for others. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
6.) Volunteer and serve others with your family – Volunteer at the church, the nursing home or anywhere else locally that you can. There are always tons of opportunities to volunteer in the community, and during the holiday season, it is especially needed. Take your family with you; it is a great time to teach your children how to do something for others.
7.) Write down what you are grateful for this holiday season instead of what you want – It is easy to think of all the things we want, especially this time of year when we see all the store ads, new holiday dresses and impeccably decorated houses, but it is the perfect time to thank the Lord for the blessings we already have. The list of things we have is usually much longer than the things we don’t have.
8.) Practice patience with your family – It can be hard not to get short with people this holiday season, but the last thing you want to do is take things out on your family. We typically all want to have a great holiday season, and we want our kids to have the same thing. But getting so caught up with everything that we take our stress out on them defeats our intentions.
9.) Donate items at home with your family – Like donating your time, donating things can be so rewarding. And not just for us, but for our kids too. It is a great way to lead and show them the right thing to do. We go through our closets and toys seasonally at our house. The kids are all responsible for choosing their clothing and some toys they have outgrown or don’t use anymore, and they go with me to donate them. It’s a good way to get them involved too and make them feel like they are helping.
10.) Read Grateful Bible Study Book before bed – Just like starting your day off right, you want to end your day on the right track also. I just recently got this new study last month, and I absolutely love it. It is a great way to practice giving thanks to the Lord. I love that it is interactive and has pages for you to read and then answer and respond. It is a great way to stay focused on Him this holiday season.
Do you try to slow down and practice gratefulness during the holiday season? What are your tips on ways to show gratitude that you would like to share?
