As we all know, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. As college students, though, it has turned into more of a time to catch up on sleep, make awkward small talk with distant relatives and do the minimal amount of work for finals. So what does it actually mean to give thanks, and how does one show this thanks? Sure, saying “thank you” and “I love you” is always nice, but there are so many other ways to show your appreciation for someone. It doesn’t have to be expensive; it just has to show that you care. Whether you are near or far from the people you love, you can still give thanks and show them you are thinking of them at this special time of the year. Her Campus Bucknell brings you five unconventional, inexpensive ways to give thanks this holiday season.
1. Send a hand written thank you card.
Nothing feels better than receiving a thank you card. It shows that someone was thinking of you and put the effort forward to get a card and actually handwrite it. Compared to email, this is a time-consuming task. And I know that parents and grandparents relish in the little notes we send them, often saving them on their mantels until they have to make room for more.
2. Pick up the phone and call them.
If you’re like me, the idea of talking on the phone is a frightening one. I would much rather ignore a phone call, listen to the voicemail and then text the person back five minutes later saying, “Sorry I missed your call! What’s up?” But swallow that fear for five minutes because the people that love you love getting phone calls from you (especially grandparents).
3. Smile at the people you pass by.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the text messages and Facebook notifications we missed while in class, but those electronic messages aren’t going anywhere, I promise. Take a moment to make a connection with the people you pass in the halls, in the library, on the quad or in the LC. Bucknell is not a large campus. The chances of you knowing one, three, or even ten of these people is pretty high. And these are the people who are there for you every day, giving you a good laugh or offering a shoulder to cry on. They deserve a little attention, or at least a friendly smile.
4. Send Some Sweets.
There are very few people who would be turned off by receiving a cookie or some candy from someone they care about. Like the thank you card, this shows that you put the extra effort and thought forward. If you want to give thanks to people at school, you can put together little packages and slip them into their campus mailboxes. If you’d rather give these little grams to friends and loved ones at home, there is nothing wrong with a face-to-face delivery.
5. Send Fresh flowers or (even better) an Edible Arrangement.
This thank you is a little bit more intense; perhaps reserved for that special someone, that best friend or even for your parents. I have never actually been a receiver of an Edible Arrangement, but I can safely say that a bouquet of fruit and chocolate would get raves in my household. And as a past receiver of flowers, I can attest to how much a fresh bouquet of flowers can make you feel loved.
Saying thank you is about making a connection. It doesn’t take much time, but it makes a world of difference. So this holiday season, make it a point to give thanks to those you truly care about.