Ahhhh, Thanksgiving. A day filled with all of our favorites: food (food, and more food), family, friends, football, and of course, Black Friday sales (#winning). With so much to get excited about this time of year, it’s easy to lose sight of something so simple, yet something so important: being thankful. To truly show your gratitude and mean it, all it takes is a little extra time to go out of your way for someone else. Because, let’s face it…we do get by with a little help from our friends. Read on for some ways to “give thanks” in a meaningful way this Thanks–giving season:
- Send a thank-you note to a professor who’s helped you through a tough semester. Take a walk to Dwellings, purchase some cute Kate Spade thank-you notes, and write one to a professor who’s really helped you this semester. Whether they’ve given you advice about an essay; helped you prepare for an exam; or proofread all of your graduate school applications, their hard work deserves some attention.
- Bring home fresh flowers for your Thanksgiving table…just because. Nothing brightens a home more than vibrant, fresh flowers. On Thanksgiving Day, visit your local farmer’s market or flower shop and pick out the best bunch of flowers you see. When you walk through the front door, your parents, brothers and sisters will love that you thought of them…and your guests will love the fresh flower bouquet!
- Write a thoughtful Post-It Note and stick it to each person’s seat at Thanksgiving Dinner. The holidays are a great time to get together with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while. To show all your loved ones how much you care, write a nice note about them and leave it at their seat at the Thanksgiving dinner table (Knock Knock Sticky Notes are the best for leaving cute, clever notes).
- Bake some cookies for your home neighbors (or Residence Hallmates!) & hand-deliver them with a smile J. People loooveee homemade baked goods, especially when someone brings them over (am I right?). Show your neighbors how special they are to you by baking them something delicious, wrapping it in a bow and delivering it with a smile.
- Make a creative CD mix for your significant other ;). Spending time with the one you love is that much better with music. Make a playlist filled with special songs, burn it to a disc, and stick it in their school mailbox/send it to their home address to show how grateful you are to have them in your life.
- Do some good in your community. Whether it’s at home or in Lewisburg, showing your appreciation for your surroundings is equally as important as telling someone “thank you.” Volunteer at a local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day; spend some time with children at a community YMCA; plant flowers where there used to be weeds; or pick up trash along the highways or sidewalks. Really, anything you to do help the world around you will not only affect you, but will also help many other people.
…It’s so important to show your appreciation for your life, and manifesting that appreciation makes a strong statement. This Thanksgiving, don’t just focus on the Pumpkin Pie, but remember to not only say, but give your thanks.