Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, but not just for the food! There’s something deeply special about setting aside time to express gratitude and appreciate the people who matter most. If you’re like me, Thanksgiving goes beyond turkey and mashed potatoes—it’s a chance to reflect, connect, and bring warmth to our lives.
However, I know that coming up with ways to express gratitude can sometimes feel a bit repetitive or formal, so this year, I’m exploring some fun, creative ways to make Thanksgiving more meaningful. From gratitude trees to family traditions, here are some ideas I’ve tried (and loved!) that may help you make this Thanksgiving one to remember.
1. Create a Gratitude Tree
The first time I tried a gratitude tree, I was surprised by how much it brought everyone together. Here’s how it works: find a few branches (or make your own with paper) and place them in a vase or pot in a prominent spot at home. Cut out leaf-shaped pieces of paper and leave them with some markers near the tree.
Throughout Thanksgiving week, invite family and friends to write something they’re grateful for on a leaf and hang it on the tree. Watching the tree “grow” with gratitude is incredibly rewarding, and it serves as a visual reminder of the love and positivity in our lives.
For families with kids, this can be a fun daily activity leading up to Thanksgiving Day. You’ll love looking back at these gratitude “leaves” for years to come!
2. Gratitude Rocks: A Family-Friendly Activity
This one is especially fun if you have young ones around! Take a nature walk with your family or friends, and collect some smooth, medium-sized rocks. Once you’re home, clean the rocks and let everyone paint or write something they’re grateful for on their rock. You can use paint pens or regular acrylic paints to create colorful, gratitude-filled stones.
Place the rocks around your home or garden, or keep them in a special jar that can sit on a shelf. Every time you see these gratitude rocks, you’ll remember the beautiful things you’re thankful for. It’s a simple, tangible way to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive long after the holiday.
3. Host a Gratitude Circle at the Dinner Table
For me, sharing our gratitude aloud is one of the most meaningful parts of Thanksgiving dinner. A gratitude circle doesn’t have to be formal—just invite everyone around the table to share one thing they’re thankful for before digging into the feast.
What I love about this tradition is that it creates a special moment of connection and reflection, even with those family members who don’t typically express their feelings. If you have a big family, you could pass around a gratitude “talking stick” or choose one person to “facilitate” the circle. It’s amazing how this simple tradition can bring everyone closer, and you’ll likely hear things that warm your heart in ways you didn’t expect.
4. Start a Gratitude Chain
Gratitude chains are an easy, festive way to decorate while also reminding everyone of what they’re thankful for. Cut construction paper into strips, and have each person write something they’re grateful for on a strip. Then, connect the strips together to make a paper chain. You can use different colors to represent different family members or different categories of gratitude (family, friends, health, etc.).
As the chain grows, it becomes a colorful decoration that you can drape across a mantel, window, or dining table. I loved this idea because it gave everyone a chance to participate, and seeing the chain grow throughout the day felt like watching our gratitude multiply.
5. Send Handwritten Thank-You Cards
When’s the last time you received a handwritten note of appreciation? These days, handwritten thank-you cards have become a rarity, which is exactly why they’re so meaningful. This Thanksgiving, I’m sending a few handwritten cards to people who have positively impacted my life this past year—teachers, friends, mentors, family members, or even the barista who always remembers my coffee order.
Writing thank-you cards is a simple gesture, but it leaves a lasting impression. Try it out; you might be surprised by how much joy this brings, both to you and to those who receive your cards. I like to slip a few words of gratitude into each one, reflecting on how the person has made a difference in my life.
6. Make a Family Gratitude Journal
A family gratitude journal can become a beautiful keepsake to pass down. Set out a notebook or journal in a communal area where everyone can write something they’re grateful for during the Thanksgiving weekend. Encourage everyone to contribute—whether it’s a sentence, a paragraph, or a small drawing.
Over the years, this journal will capture a history of your family’s collective gratitude, and you can revisit it each Thanksgiving. If you’re a smaller family or hosting Friendsgiving, this could be just as special, bringing friends or family together through shared memories and moments of appreciation.
7. DIY Gratitude Placemats
When I have guests over for Thanksgiving, I like to make the table setting a little more interactive. DIY gratitude placemats are an easy way to add a personal touch to each place setting. Simply use butcher paper or large sheets of construction paper, and write each person’s name at the top of their placemat.
When everyone sits down, they can write or draw a few things they’re grateful for on their placemat while waiting for the meal. It’s a creative way to get everyone thinking about gratitude, and it can even spark conversation as people share their thoughts.
8. Make a Thanksgiving Gratitude Jar
If you’re looking for a way to capture gratitude throughout the entire Thanksgiving season, a gratitude jar is perfect. Place a jar on a counter with small slips of paper and a pen beside it. Each day, encourage family members to jot down something they’re grateful for and add it to the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, you can read through everyone’s entries together.
I’ve found that a gratitude jar is a wonderful daily reminder of all the good things in life, and it’s easy to keep this tradition going all year long if you’d like. It’s a simple activity, but it has a big impact!
9. Watch a Thanksgiving Video Montage
If your family enjoys home videos or photos, create a gratitude-themed video montage! Collect clips or images that capture beautiful moments from the past year—fun gatherings, family trips, birthdays, or even quiet moments that capture everyday joys. Put these together with a favorite song or a voiceover of family members sharing what they’re thankful for.
Watching this montage together after Thanksgiving dinner is a heartwarming way to relive memories and connect. It’s a visual reminder of the love and laughter shared, and it can inspire everyone to be grateful for the big and small things in life.
Make Thanksgiving Unforgettable
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to celebrate gratitude in ways that bring people together, deepen connections, and spark joy. I hope these creative ideas inspire you to try something new this year. The best part is that they don’t just make Thanksgiving special—they remind us that gratitude is something we can carry with us, long after the holiday is over.