Thanksgiving
Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on things to be thankful for. Especially on this day (but we find it useful on many other days, too), go around the table before you eat and tell everyone about the one thing you’re most thankful for.
Benevolence
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to give back! There are several ways to become involved.
- If you have children, apportion a percentage of their weekly allowance (say, 25%) for “giving”. Your community may have a food pantry or emergency food service that accepts donations of food. Your child will love going to the grocery store and picking out their own items to give to that cause. Checking out on their own and paying their own money makes it such a tangible gift. Want to take it further? Volunteer in your local food pantry or emergency food service!
- Community dinners may be sponsored in the city, town or village where you live. Find out how you can help! You can make a big difference by helping with supplies, decorating, publicity, serving, delivering and/or cleaning up. One thing our children have really enjoyed is making table decorations for the community Thanksgiving dinner where we live.
- Do you know someone who can’t be around their own family during Thanksgiving? Invite them into your home for a special dinner and fellowship time. It’s a wonderful feeling: being in a place away from home, yet having someone treat you as if you were a part of their family.
Keep it Going
These are all wonderful, feel good suggestions. But guess what? They’re good all year long. Find ways to help your neighbor throughout the year, not just at Thanksgiving.
Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in a special way? Do you have suggestions for how to reach out to your community and/or the world during this special time of Thanksgiving? Let us know by commenting below. Happy Thanksgiving!
