Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year and all you have to be grateful for. With your family all around sharing a good meal, you may feel content and happy about everything that makes life beautiful. But not everyone is so lucky, and times can be hard during the holidays for people who are alone, suffering from grief, or struggling to feed their families during a time when many in the USA are feasting. If you’ve counted your blessings and are looking for more ways to show your gratitude, here are some ideas to get you started.
Volunteer
Sharing your time to help others is one way to show your gratitude during the Thanksgiving holiday. Volunteering allows you to help people in need, give back to your community, and take part in projects you care about. You can volunteer at charities to help the homeless, the hungry, rescued animals, environmental organizations, and many others. Keep an eye out for opportunities to help out on Thanksgiving Day by delivering hot meals and other food to those in need. A few hours of your time can make a big difference in someone else’s life.
Donate To a Charity
Gratitude isn’t just about what you have — it can also be about what you can give. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate this Thanksgiving season, consider donating to a charity. Local food pantries often hold food drives around this time of year, and you can make a difference by donating food like cartons of stuffing, canned vegetables, and other items to help someone enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. It’s also a good time to donate unwanted clothing that can help keep someone warm during the winter. You can also donate some money to your favorite local charity instead.
Visit Someone
It can be hard to be alone on a holiday when other families are getting together. If you’re feeling generous, now is a good time to check on your neighbors who may be alone and let them know you’re thinking about them. You can even bring around a plate of your Thanksgiving dinner if they don’t have one to go to. You can also check in on anyone you know living in a care home where they may not get many visitors. It can mean a lot to them to have someone to talk to.
Invite Someone to Dinner
If you’ve got extra room at your Thanksgiving table, you can consider inviting someone to dinner if you know they’ll be alone this year. Whether it’s a work colleague who’s holding down the fort, a neighbor who lives alone, or someone who is new to the community and hasn’t made many friends in the area yet, it can be a nice gesture to share your dinner and introduce them to your extended family. They may want to bring over a dish from their family, and you’ll get to try something new. After all, gratitude is best shared with others.
Write a Card
If you’re looking for a way for everyone to get involved in expressing gratitude for what they have, there are some fun ways to do it. Get a stack of cute cards and let all your guests sit down and write what they are giving thanks for on this Thanksgiving Day. Then set the cards up in a display of gratitude to showcase the spirit of the day. You can also write a card to someone you love that can’t be with you to let them know you’re grateful for having them in your life.
Make a Gratitude List
You have a lot to be thankful for, but sometimes it’s hard to remember. Writing down a few things that you’re grateful for can help put things in perspective. Maybe you’ll want to take a few minutes to yourself before the bustle of cooking all day begins and visitors arrive. Sit alone with your journal or just a scrap of paper and jot down what makes you thankful in your life. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion at work, but you did find your favorite wine on sale. Remember both the little and big things that make your life special.
Share Your Expertise
You’ve probably got a few skills you’re good at, and sharing them with others is one way to show your gratitude. If you’re enjoying Thanksgiving at someone else’s house, you can share a tip for making the perfect mashed potatoes or your recipe for the best cranberry sauce. Or maybe you can keep the kids entertained by teaching them a card game. If you play music, see if there are any care homes where you can play for the residents. Whatever your secret skill, Thanksgiving is a great time to share your knowledge or talents.
Participate In an Activity
You can show your gratitude to the people cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year by getting everyone out from under their feet. Organize some fun crafts that the kids and anyone not peeling potatoes can do, like Thanksgiving collages or painting some hand turkeys. Other activities can include taking some family members outside to walk the dog and work up an appetite for dinner if you’ve all been gratefully hitting the snacks too hard or playing catch with the kids to keep them entertained and working off their youthful energy.
There are so many ways to show your gratitude for what you have on Thanksgiving. From great food to good friends and cherished family, you’ll feel extra grateful for everyone around the dinner table. So, take some time to reflect on your bounty and share some with others. At Huffines Hyundai Plano, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with everyone you love around you. Do you have a favorite family tradition that you do each year to celebrate your gratitude? Drop us a line and tell us all about it and why you do it.