9 Ways to Express Gratitude and Connect over Thanksgiving
Each of us has much to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to formally express your appreciation and gratitude to those around you. There are many things you can do to show that you are thankful throughout the year, and most of these gestures do not cost a thing.
Many people around the world will continue to celebrate events differently due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, that won't stop anyone from getting creative to express gratitude!
1. Spend some quality time together
Make some time in your day to have a conversation with someone without any interruption. Put your phone away and do something together without involving other screens. You can play a board game, go for a walk, cook, or have a meal together. Quality time means that you have to minimize distractions and be in the moment.
2. Give them a meaningful act of service
Help your friends and family out by picking up small tasks. This can mean the world to them because they may be going through a rough day and your act of service can help ease their mind. You can offer to do some chores or run some errands for them if you have the time to do so.
You can also offer a quick deep tissue massage with a Thumper. It’s a great way to connect and relax. You’ll earn bonus points for making them feel great! Since Thumper works through clothing, there are no excuses not to get a massage!
3. Give them a small gift
Thank you gifts can show appreciation if you feel at a loss for words or if you can't be with them personally. The gift should be thoughtful but there is no need for it to be expensive. They can be handmade or they can be things that can improve the other person's life in a small way.
You can give your loved ones a Thumper for the holidays so they can enjoy massages whenever they want! Thumper is a meaningful gift that shows that you care about their health and wellbeing, and they can use it to enjoy regular massages. Thumper’s percussive action feels great on your muscles, relaxing your whole body and releasing all tension - so if the other person mentioned that they have been stressed lately, consider getting a Thumper to help them out!
4. Include others in your plans
The next time you plan to do anything fun or active, why not invite someone to join you? Now only will you both get to experience the activity together, but you can also catch up with each other's lives while you're at it! This can contribute to having quality time with each other depending on the activity. Whether you are hosting the next online movie night or going for a walk outdoors, your guest will be happy to know that you've been thinking about them.
5. Pay an impromptu visit
During these unprecedented times, it is common to swing by your friend's place and have a chat outdoors while maintaining social distancing. Social distancing doesn't mean total isolation, so why not plan a quick chat with your friend to see how they are doing on your way home? Even simply seeing each other's faces at a distance can bring smiles all over!
6. Bring over food
When you stop by and talk with your friends, you can bring them some food as well! In this fast-paced life, it’s hard to find the time to cook. Not only will you help ease their mind for a meal, but they also get to enjoy something different! Food is a great way to bond with others and it is always a pleasure to try something new!
So, if you cooked or bought extra food, you can bring that over to someone you care about. It will definitely make their day!
7. Call or text to check-in
If you're not able to swing by a friend's place for a short period of time, why not call or text the person to check in? Since we’re all currently facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, one of the most important things we can all do is check in with each other. Just hearing someone’s voice can be enough to lift both your spirits. Let them know that you were thinking about them and their wellbeing - it's simple and it can work like medicine.
8. Say a kind word
A kind word today can brighten someone's day, and can even inspire and motivate someone. Not sure what to say? Here's a list of compliments you can use - be sure you mean what you say though! A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Everybody likes receiving compliments, but their reaction can also help you feel better too.
9. Ask if there's anything you can do
Expressing gratitude is not limited to Thanksgiving day. You can always ask someone if they need help with anything throughout the year when keeping in touch. Be sure that you will try your best to follow through when you ask this question. By helping the other person's specific request as much as you can, it is a meaningful gesture that you can feel good doing. Even if you can't fulfill their request, you can offer something else that you can do to help with their situation. If they don't need help with anything, you can still express gratitude in a different way!
Conclusion
From virtual gatherings to Thanksgiving dinners held outdoors, there are many ways people keep in touch and express gratitude over Thanksgiving. Despite these difficult times, it is also important to stay safe and healthy while doing so. Even when celebrating apart, it doesn't mean it needs to be any less special. Sometimes, it's the small things and gestures that mean the most.
