Thankful and Grateful – The blessing jar

At this time of year there are so many things to be thankful and grateful for. This is the beauty of Thanksgiving; it gives people the opportunity to take stock, stop and think. Why not make a blessing jar to practice the stopping, taking stock and thinking?

• Sit back and enjoy the little moments
• Learn on how to be kind to others and show it
• Reflect on all you have learned
• Take stock of the good and learn to not sweat the small stuff
• Choose positivity over negativity

GRATITUDE LIST

One of the easiest things to do with your children during the Thanksgiving season is to write a gratitude list. The reasons for it are simple – it helps to focus and shift perspective. They don’t need to be “earth shattering” but anything that you are thankful for. Here are some examples:

• Hot showers
• Comfy pillows
• Music
• Getting to spend time with friends
• Ice cream treats
• Going on dates with Dad or Mom
• Books

BLESSING JAR

How to make a blessing jar:

You will need a jar (like a mason jar or any empty jar)

• Tissue paper
• Glue
• Modge Podge (if you like – though not necessary
• Stickers
• Glitter
• Ribbon
• Small pieces of paper 

What to do:

glue and stick pieces of paper over the jar however you would like to decorate it
add stickers and other fun stuff
tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar

How it works:

• Whenever you have something to be thankful or grateful for, write it on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it into the jar
• At Thanksgiving or whenever you need a pick-me-up take out a piece of paper and read it. Read more than one if needed! 
• This is such a fun and uplifting thing to do.

GRATITUDE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

There are so many gratitude activities you can do with children. There are several websites with some great ideas.

Here are some gratitude games.

And here are some gratitude exercises.

What are some things that you do as gratitude activities for your children?

WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR

There are so many things that I am thankful for. While we have had a rough year with pandemics, and that meant family couldn’t come and visit, etc. I am so thankful for what we have, for what this year has brought us, and what the future holds. And most certainly, without a doubt, I am thankful for my little family and all the love and joy that they bring me.

If you missed it, why not check out this post on the attitude of gratitude?