November is officially here and for many of us this month marks the beginning of the holiday season! Although many of our holiday plans may look different this year than they have in the past. We may not have the opportunities to connect with family and friends in the same ways. So it is important to keep in mind all the things we have to be thankful for and to practice gratitude with those around us!
Gratitude is being thankful for all the goodness in our lives. When we take the time to be grateful we are able to connect to those around us and acknowledge all the goodness in our lives. Research consistently shows that pausing to embrace gratitude allows people to feel positive emotions, appreciate good experiences, improves overall heath and aids in building strong relationships.
Keeping the importance of gratitude we wanted to give you some ideas to practice gratitude this holiday season!
- Gratitude Pumpkin: A great activity that can be utilized all month long! All you will need is a pumpkin and a sharpie. You can write/draw something that you are thankful for each day on the pumpkin. At the end of the month you should have a pumpkin full of gratitude that will also serve as a perfect center piece for a holiday meal!
- Gratitude Stones: Add your very own messages of gratitude to stones of all shapes and sizes! Afterwards these stones can be placed as reminders around the home, used as a holiday centerpiece, or placed outside for others to find. For this activity you will need rocks (large enough to paint on), paint, Modge Podge, and gratitude messages! Once you have the supplies just glue/paint your grateful messages on the rock and seal with a coat of modge podge.
- Gratitude Tree: A great way to combine nature and gratitude! You will need sticks, pipe cleaners, a jar/vase, paper, string and a writing utensil. Start by creating a tree shape with your sticks, add pipe cleaners to hold it together and place it in your jar. Afterwards cut the paper in to leaf shapes and write messages of gratitude on each; you may also want to punch a hole in each leaf. Simply attach these leaves to your tree with string and your tree is ready! Gratitude trees make great holiday centerpieces!
- Gratitude Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunts are always fun, but a gratitude scavenger hunt is fun with a purpose! This activity can be done all month, during a troop meeting, or at a holiday gathering. Make your own list or use ours.
- Gratitude Conversation Starters: Talk to your loved ones about gratitude! Use these conversation starters around the table, before bedtime, to start a troop meeting, or wherever you find fit! If talking it out isn’t your thing- they could also be utilized as journal prompts. Make your own or use ours.
Whatever this holiday season brings for you, make sure to take time to acknowledge the goodness! We would love to hear what you are grateful for this holiday season.
GSHPA Blog 