Thanksgiving is all about being appreciative for what you have. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to just Thanksgiving day to show the people in your life that you appreciate them. They don’t have to be grandiose gestures, but a little goes a long way. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1) Show your RA some love.
They put up with a lot. Whether it’s organizing floor activities that residents will actually go to or dealing with drunken drama, they’re on the front lines working to make your living environment safe and friendly. So show them a little love. You can help them decorate the lounge on your floor or give them a card with some candy, but regardless they’ll appreciate the gesture.
2) Call your grandparents/extended relatives.
It’s hard to be old. The prevalence of depression climbs rapidly for individuals over 40 and many elderly people report feelings of worthlessness and loneliness. We all experience a little winter blues now and again and they miss you, so pay them a few minutes of your time with a phone call.
3) Volunteer in your community.
Even though you may feel like your school is the only community you have in your area, your community extends to even as far as your county. This is often the most available means of showing your gratitude, as organizations at your school are continuously offering opportunities to reach out to the community and help make a difference in someone’s life. I like to give blood, so I often try to find opportunities to work with the Red Cross—even if it’s just to volunteer time at a local blood drive.
4) Pay it forward!
Now this is a more general way of showing you care. You don’t have to do anything extravagant, but paying for someone’s coffee in line at Starbucks, or swiping an older classmate into Market (or your school’s dining hall) makes a difference in a big way.
5) Make a care package for a friend.
We all come from different places when we go to college, and some people come from across the country for an education. When you’re so far away from home, it gets a lot harder to face homesickness and the usual stress of college. So for that friend that doesn’t get to go home for thanksgiving, make a care package. Include a card, some candy, whatever you think would make their day just a little brighter.
6) Be a grateful roomie.
Even though you see them every day, your roomie deserves a little appreciation too. They’ve probably dealt with you at your worst and because you share a living space, they have to accommodate your schedule to make a healthy living space. Even if you and your roomie aren’t close, a small gift—think food or buying the next box of garbage bags for the room—would be generous enough.
7) Go the distance.
Even if you don’t have a long distance relationship, it’s likely that you have friends who went far away from you for college. They haven’t seen you for months and even if you maintain good contact with them, the distance makes it tough. So show a little long distance love by mailing them something from the heart. Whether it be a card with some hand drawn doodles or just something that reminds you of them, it’ll make them smile knowing that you’re thinking of them.
Thanksgiving doesn’t only have to happen once a year. Take the opportunity today to show someone in your life that you’re grateful for them. I guarantee they’ll appreciate it.