#TWKatHome Family Fridays

Showing Gratitude Instead of Giving Thanks This Year

Wendy Jeffries, Executive Director, TasteWise Kids

Our #TWKFamilyFridays series is where we hope to provide you with resources to both learn a little more about the world of food and its sources, and connect with one another in the process.

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Many of us grew up thinking about Thanksgiving as time to come together with family and friends, eat lots of yummy foods and giving thanks. Is part of your Thanksgiving meal tradition going around and one by one answering the question “What are you thankful for?”. This was a tradition at my house growing up but now we work to show gratitude instead. Regardless of what this year’s holiday looks like for you, I challenge you to show gratitude instead of giving thanks. What’s the difference? 

Giving thanks is a feeling while showing gratitude is an action.

Consider not just what you are thankful for but also how to show it to the ones you care about this year. Here’s a few ideas to show gratitude as a family:

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  • Share some Thanksgiving leftovers or bake a pie for a neighbor who is not sharing Thanksgiving with others this year
  • Write grateful notes - write a note to a specific person about what you appreciate about them. These notes could be mailed to loved ones, used as name cards for the Thanksgiving table or read and shared after the meal.   
  • Share a favorite recipe with friends or family you are not seeing over Thanksgiving this year and set a time over the holiday weekend to cook it together virtually. 
  • Each family/household member picks one task they need to accomplish but have been putting off (getting out winter coats, cleaning out the fridge, cleaning your bedroom, etc.) and then work together to accomplish them as a team. Or make it a race with a fun reward like movie time or an outdoor bike ride afterwards.

Looking for a family friendly activity to do during the day or around the table? Check out our Thanksgiving funny story activity

Remember, regardless of what this year’s holiday looks like, Thanksgiving is still a good time to take a moment and slow down, enjoy your loved ones, and show gratitude.