10 Ways to Say Thanks
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it brings people together to share good food, good conversation and fun. But, the greatest reason I like Thanksgiving is because it reminds me to be grateful for the countless blessings in my life and for the people God has placed in my life. It causes me to remember how important it is to show others how much they're appreciated.
Here are just a few ways that we can show our friends and family how much we appreciate them at Thanksgiving (and throughout the year):
1. Make a Call. In a world of text messaging, instant messaging and everything through tech devices, it is breath of fresh air to get a phone call from a loved one. If you are hosting the Thanksgiving meal or helping to prepare it, call your loved ones and tell them how much you appreciate them and are looking forward to seeing them. Also, ask if there is any specific dish, dessert or drink they would like to have for Thanksgiving. And if you are a guest attending, then call the host and ask if there's anything specific they need you to bring. A simple phone call makes a big impression.
2. Place Cards. If your family and friends sit down for a formal Thanksgiving meal, try making place cards for each person where you want them to sit and write several attributes you appreciate about them on the inside of the card. It will bring smiles to the whole table and may even be a good conversation starter!
3. Drink Labels. If your family does not have a formal Thanksgiving meal and sits casually in the living room watching football, then try writing each person's name on an adhesive sticky name tag along with an attribute you appreciate about them. People may laugh, cry or just get a kick out of their "unique drink name".
4. Treat Bags. There's something special about receiving an individual bag all for yourself with candy or goodies for you to take home. If you're in charge of cooking the Thanksgiving meal, ask another relative to help make the bags with you or before they arrive. People love to chip in and be part of showing appreciation to others.
5. The Grab Game. This is a fun mixer that will get everyone to the dinner table or gathered to eat and roaring in laughter before chowing down. Cut up enough pieces of paper for the number of guests attending the dinner, write a love song title on one side of the paper and a guest's name on the other side of the paper. Fold all the pieces of paper and place them into a mixing bowl or cookie jar. Pass the jar around and have each person take out a piece of paper and try to sing that love song to the guest written on their paper. It will make everyone feel special, possibly embarrassed because of their lack of talent and brighten up the room for a joyous meal. (Here's a list of 100 Top Love Songs just to get your mind and body in the groove!)
6. A Stack of Gratitude. Another fun way to show guests how much they are appreciated is by baking a batch of cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal raise, etc.) and placing several in individual cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon tied with a thank you card tag. It's a great "goodbye gift" to give guests as they leave the house.
7. Chocolate Cheer. Most people will never refuse chocolate. A great gratitude gift can also be a cellophane bag with two or three pieces of specialty chocolate tied with a ribbon and labeled with a gratitude card.
8. Thanks a Latte. It's usually customary for people to have coffee with their dessert at the end of the meal, so why not surprise them with a $5 Starbucks Gift Card in their coffee cup or just a simple tag that says "Thanks a Latte" to remind them of how much they're appreciated?
9. DIY Spice Kit for the Hosts. If you're attending a Thanksgiving meal, then it's always good to bring a small gift to the host/hostess as a way of showing your appreciation. This easy-to-make spice kit is a unique gift that will bring a smile to the chef's face. Here are the full directions!
10. Printable Wine Thank You Tags. If you're attending a dinner and know that the hosts enjoy a
glass of wine, then this beautiful thank you tag will be a great reminder of your appreciation for their hospitality. Here are the labels!
