5 Ways to Express Gratitude as a Family

Gratitude is thankfulness. To practice gratitude is to express appreciation for your blessings - your substance and circumstances. It's acknowledging things that are going right or well. It's identifying that there can be good in the bad, beauty in struggle, purpose in pain, etc.  

Expressing gratitude has mental and physical health benefits. Showing gratitude can improve sleep, mood, and immunity; it can decrease feelings of anxiety and depression, and improve outcomes of chronic pain and disease (source: Mayo Clinic). 

Expressing gratitude is an antidote to negative feelings that can result from comparison and imposter syndrome. 

Pair expressing gratitude with something you do every day to make it a habit. I state three things I'm grateful for while my morning coffee brews. This helps set the tone  to start the day with a positive perspective.

Expressing gratitude is a great tool to model and practice. Let's look at 5 ways to express gratitude as a family. 

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1. Say Grace

Having basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter is something many of us likely take for granted. Don't limit saying grace  to being thankful for food at mealtimes. 

If your family is together and engaged for dinner, get in the habit of giving everyone a chance to express gratitude. While every day may not be good, there is something good in everyday. Tap into and reflect on that.

The bedtime routine presents another wonderful opportunity to express gratitude. Check out these family books about gratitude to help you get started. 

2. Put it in Writing

You can keep a gratitude journal, of course. But you can also make expressing gratitude more interactive. Place a chalkboard or whiteboard in a prominent place in your home. 

Expressing gratitude may come easier for some if it's less formal than at dinner time or during bedtime. All too often we point out what we perceive as wrong rather than "highlight the right." 

This is a great opportunity to say thank you for hanging your coat or taking out the trash.

3. Send Thank You Notes

Sending thank you notes seems like a dying gesture, and often a missed opportunity. You should send thank you notes when it's expected, such as after receiving gifts for special occasions. 

Also send a thank you note after a job interview to show gratitude for time and consideration, and likely give yourself an edge over the competition.

Perhaps there's someone who is often there for you to help ease your burden. Be sure to thank that person to show you appreciate having them in your life. 

4. Make a Gratitude Tree or Turkey 

I love this exercise, especially leading up to Christmas to combat commercialism and consumerism. Put up your Christmas tree early, and add leaves to the tree every day to express gratitude. 

Or create a thankful turkey, and add a feather to the turkey each day. If you're crafty or want to practice fine motor skills, then you can create your own leaves or turkeys and feathers. 

5. Pay it Forward

Paying it forward can take many forms. Pay for coffee or a meal. Involve your kids in the process of decluttering to donate unwanted items before bringing new things into the home over the holiday season. Or select new items to purchase and donate. 

Look for opportunities to serve as a family at a soup kitchen or collect food, clothing or monetary donations for a good cause. Build blessing bags or backpacks for those in need.

This may just become the holiday season tradition that your family most enjoys. 

Check out how to be genuinely grateful and reap the benefits for more ways to express gratitude. 

Summary

Expressing gratitude is a worthwhile practice with many benefits. Express gratitude as a family to show appreciation for your blessings. 

If you're blessed, then pay it forward and be a blessing to others. Be intentional. Make expressing gratitude a daily habit not only during the holiday season, but every day throughout the year.

What is one thing you're grateful for today?