Gratitude for Every Age

This holiday season, we’re thankful for fun ideas that help the whole family express their appreciation. Being grateful is linked to increased happiness, lower stress, and better health—and it feels at least as good as your Thanksgiving dinner tastes!

THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING TRY A PHOTO CHALLENGE

Give your child a camera or a smartphone and a list of themes, then ask them to photograph subjects they’re grateful for that fit each theme. For instance, on Friday they might photograph things they’re grateful for in nature; on Saturday, family; on Sunday, things that bring them joy; and so on until Thanksgiving Day. Have them tell you about the photos each night. Afterward, you can print the images and make an album.

AT YOUR HOLIDAY GATHERING MAKE A THANK-YOU TREE

For a meaningful holiday centerpiece, place a small tree branch in a vase. If needed, add rocks or pebbles for stability. At your holiday dinner, have everyone cut out leaves from colorful construction paper and punch holes on top to thread string through. They can write or draw what they’re grateful for on the leaves and hang them on the branch.

EVERY DAY KEEP A GRATITUDE JAR

Give your child a pretty jar or other container along with some special colored pencils or markers. Each day, write down good things that happened along with the date and put them in the jar. Later you can pull out the slips of paper and reminisce about these happy events together.