The holiday season has arrived and with it, the hustle and bustle that comes along with planning, shopping and preparing for company (both human and canine). If you’re like most of us, your list of things to do before the holiday arrives is probably long enough to make you want to run away from home! However, this doesn’t have to be the case. After all, when we take some time to stop and appreciate what we have, we feel less stress about our hectic schedules and more gratitude for each other. Here are five easy ways you can help your kids show gratitude this holiday season!
1) Make a Thankful Jar
Making a Thankful Jar can be a fun way for your kids to be reminded of the things they are grateful for on a daily basis. You can make one by placing pictures of things that you want your kids to be thankful for in a jar. Every day, choose one picture and talk about it with your kids. Write down the date and what you talked about that day on the jar so you can keep track of how much they are thankful every week!
2) Send Thank You Cards to People Who Helped Over the Year
Thank you notes are a great way for kids to think about their gratitude and express it in a tangible way. Why not write some thank you cards? Write a list of people who have helped your family throughout the year, then ask your kids which ones they want to send cards to. It’s also fun for them to write the cards themselves (or at least help!), so don’t feel like you need an elaborate card. There are plenty of free printables out there that can be used instead!
3) Go out of your way for someone else
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But taking a moment each day to do something kind for someone else can change your outlook.
Here are five ideas for acts of kindness your kids can do during the holidays:
1) Write a thank-you note – Whether it’s saying thank you for dinner or thanking someone who helped them with their homework, writing thank-you notes is an excellent way for kids to show gratitude.
4) Think kind thoughts about others
-Thank your friends for inviting you over for a holiday party. -Send a thank you card or text message to your spouse for all their help. -Take some time to say thank you to the people who work in your local grocery store during the holidays by loading groceries into their car or giving them a small gift card. -You can also take this opportunity to do something nice for someone else that is less fortunate than yourself and volunteer at a soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or toy drive.
5) Give your loved ones gifts from your heart
There are so many things you can do to show your kids gratitude this holiday season. Here are just a few ideas: write a letter of appreciation for someone who inspires you, make a handmade card for someone who’s had a rough day, or bring home flowers for your mom. Gifts don’t need to be expensive – they just need to come from the heart!