Ways to Show Gratitude

During the holidays, we’re always coming up with different ways to show gratitude so that we can let our family, friends, and community know how much they mean to us. Whether you’re teaching kids gratitude through a gratitude globe or keeping a gratitude journal, showing gratitude for all the big and small blessings in your life is easy and fun! We’ve made a list of our favorite ways to show gratitude, as well as some of the things that we’re thankful for this holiday season.

Volunteer in the community

Volunteering is one of the best ways to show gratitude in your community. If your community has a homeless shelter or a food pantry, call and see what service opportunities they have for individuals or families during the holidays. A nursing home can also use people to come and chat with residents. This can be a great service opportunity for kids to get to interact with adults and learn a little more about the world!

Write thank you notes

While it may seem like handwritten thank you notes are a lost art, they’re still one of the best ways to truly show gratitude. Instead of waiting until Christmas to send thank-you notes about gifts, find small reasons in your life to express thankfulness with a note. For example, write a thank you note to the postman for reliably delivering your mail, or to an old friend for reaching out to you during a tough time.

Give someone a hug

Let your loved ones know that you care about them; nothing says I love you, and I’m so thankful that you’re here for me like giving someone a big, long hug!

Give genuine  compliments 

The next time you have a kind thought about someone, don’t keep it inside: let them know! Does the cashier at the grocery store always make your day? Does the local barista always make a wonderful cup of coffee? Is your neighbor always friendly and helpful? Let them know how much you appreciate them by showing gratitude through genuine compliments!

Invite a friend for coffee, and ask them about their life

We sometimes get so caught up in the problems and stress of our own life that we forget about the people around us. The best way to let someone know you care and appreciate them is to listen to them!

Extend a helping hand in a small way to make a big difference

Shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk, offer to drive a friend’s child to school, or make a casserole for a busy loved one in your life.

Have kids write down what they’re thankful for

It’s easy for kids to take their blessings for granted; sit down with them and have the kids write down what they’re thankful for! Explain how they can be grateful for lots of different things: for example, they can be thankful for being healthy, for being good at drawing, or for being the tallest kid in their class. Let them know that even small things are worth being grateful for, and ask if they can come up with a list of ten things that they’re thankful to have. Want to make even more of an impact? Give them the gift of a gratitude globe this holiday season. A gratitude globe is a beautiful glass globe that comes with a little pad of paper. Kids or adults can write down what they’re grateful for and stick the pieces of paper inside the globe. Whenever you look at it, you’ll be reminded of all the good things you have in your life!

Keep a gratitude journal

The holiday season can be a stressful time for everyone. To keep everything in perspective, keep a gratitude journal between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Write down all the small or big things that happen to you that you’re grateful for, and read through it every time you get too stressed or worried!

Smile!

There’s no better way to show the world that you’re grateful than putting a smile on your face!

Give yourself some time to relax–you deserve it!

It’s important to show gratitude to yourself as well as the people around you. Take yourself on a date, or give yourself time to relax and unwind. You make the world a better place; make sure to appreciate yourself!

What are we grateful  for?

We asked our Ginny’s customers and Ginny’s team members what they were grateful for this holiday season. The answers were inspiring!

Kathy B.: My family gave me a 5yr cancer free celebration in August. I am truly thankful for the gift of life and love.
Bob S: My family, friends, great companies I deal with, and most proud to be Commander, of American Legion, post 115, and helping vets
Carmelita G.: God’s presence in our lives through it all
Valerie F.: Jesus, my husband, my home, my health, my children, and my job