Thanksgiving is often brushed under the rug in preparation for December’s holiday festivities. This is typically because it is a one-day event that does not carry itself on throughout its month. Thus, we usually eat our feast, say a few nice words to one another and move on.
Is this a true display of thankfulness, to show it for an evening and forget the next day? Would it not be more sincere to glorify the holiday and its events to the extent that greater ones are celebrated?
Holidays like Halloween, Christmas and even Valentine’s Day have events that carry on throughout the month in which they reside. Grade schools host parties and dances, while stores are littered with themed decorations, gifts and cards. However, when Thanksgiving comes around, there are a select few turkey-themed paper plates and Hallmark cards in the stores. Citizens are not commercially encouraged to give thanks in the ways they are to move onto the next big holiday.
In this case, it is up to us to take it upon ourselves to celebrate our relationships with one another and our own lives. There are so many fun ways to celebrate!
- Host a “friendsgiving” get together
It doesn’t take much time or money to schedule a small get together. Everyone invited can bring a dish so responsibility doesn’t fall to one person, and the only main event needed is sitting comfortably and eating, talking and laughing together.
- Send a letter
Texts do not count. Sit down for 10 minutes with a piece of paper or blank card and write out a note to someone you care about. You can add stickers, bookmarks or even little doodles. Put it in the mail to remind them that you are grateful for them this and every month.
- Bake/cook something – anything!
The best way to show gratefulness for the things in your life is to put them to use. Get in your kitchen and make something, even if it’s a 3-ingredient cookie recipe that takes almost no time. Then, you can share them with the people around you, too!
- Send the old pictures
As time goes on, we forget the best memories between friends and family. Dig up some older pictures to send to your friends, family members or other people in your daily life who have helped form who you are. A simple “remember this?” goes a long way with staying connected and reminding people that they are on your mind.
- Stop doing and just listen
Next time someone shares a thought or tells a story, take a break from adding to the conversation and listen to what they’re saying. Give them their moment to let someone in, and tell them that you’re glad they shared it with you. This goes further than most people imagine.
All this is to say that the holiday season is a time for growing relationships with those we love, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Take the opportunity before you to show thankfulness for someone this year.
