Thanksgiving is just over a week away. If you haven’t put your heart in “grateful” mode just yet, now is the time to start! I set up this little area in our kitchen with a chalkboard easel and some card stock. Paul and I have been adding little things we’re thankful for throughout the week – it’s even more full now than when I took this picture!
Here are a few ways you can express your gratitude in the next week – and throughout the whole year!
1. Thank you notes
Thank you notes don’t have to be complicated. Start the note with a compliment to the giver – for example, “It was so thoughtful of you to invite us to dinner.” Mention something you enjoyed about the gift or experience or how you’re planning to use the gift and wrap it up with a comment like “We are so grateful for your friendship.” You can pick up packs of nice thank you cards at Dollar Tree or the Target dollar spot to keep on hand. It’s nice to send one after someone gives you a gift, invites you to their home or does something thoughtful for you. I even like to keep a few in my desk at work!
2. Hostess Gifts
If you’re attending Thanksgiving dinner at someone else’s home, a small gift is a great way to express your gratitude to your hostess! My favorite hostess gift this time of year is a Christmas ornament. It’s inexpensive, festive…and who doesn’t love Christmas ornaments?
3. Graciously Receiving Gifts and Compliments
Most of us would rather be a giver instead of a receiver, but grateful people know how to accept gifts and compliments graciously. When someone does something for you, let them know how much you appreciate it by gratefully accepting the gift or act of service.
We often say things that sound like scolding such as “You shouldn’t have done that!” or “Why did you go to all this trouble for us?!” instead of things that are compliments like “You are such a wonderful hostess! This looks amazing!” or “You are so kind to pick this out for me!” Picture yourself physically receiving the gift or act of service and not throwing it back in the face of the giver. The same thing is true for compliments – it’s not arrogant to simply say “thank you” when someone compliments your hair, outfit or anything else!
Who’s ready to put their heart in thankful mode? Get out those thank you cards and let’s be grateful people! 🙂
Come Home For Comfort 
This is such good advice. I love the daily reminders of what we are thankful for. We all could be a little more grateful.
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I love #3….it took me so long to finally get this right! Why is it so hard to be grateful for a compliment!
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I think most of us struggle with accepting compliments – whether due to low self esteem, false humility or just thinking we aren’t supposed to agree when someone says something nice about us! 🙂
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Such good advice. I need to start thinking about my hostess gifts for upcoming holidays. I have an uncle that always brings my mom a nativity themed hostess gift each Christmas. She’s got quite the collection of pretty nativity ornaments, pieces and scenes from hosting so many years.
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That’s such a great idea! You could really use that themed gift idea for year round hostess gifts and have a lot of fun with it!
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A good friend once told me that when someone gives you a compliment, just say Thank You. I was one of those people who had a hard time accepting Praise. I blame it on my Scotch Irish upbringing. Compliments give you the Big Head is the theory of those dear people.:)
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It is hard to do, I agree!
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