This list merely scratches the surface of all the things for which we should be grateful.
Nothing compares to Fall, from pumpkin lattes to vibrant leaves. This time of harvest and plenty reminds us that we have a lot to be thankful for, even though we might miss the warmer weather. Even though the daylight hours are shortening, cultivating thankfulness is a potent mental strategy to boost our sense of wellbeing. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, so now is the ideal time to reflect on all of the things for which you have reason to be thankful.
No matter how big or how small, whether they include family or are just simple seasonal pleasures, they might give you the boost you need. To make a unique list of thanks, start with these suggestions and then consider your own specific blessings.
Here’s to a healthy, happy holiday season!
1. Family
The holidays may add a lot of extra work and stress to spending time with family. However, this is also the ideal moment to reflect on what a blessing your family members are. So even when they’re annoying, try to think of all the wonderful traits that describe your lovely, quirky, hilarious, occasionally crazy, but always loving tribe.
2. Health
If there was ever a time to give thanks for your health, it is right now. And if you haven’t been ill this past year you’ve been especially blessed.
3. A good sense of humor
“Thank goodness we have a holiday set aside for being grateful—we’d sure hate to have to do that every day!” You’ll laugh out loud at Jim Gaffigan’s take on Thanksgiving, and the vast collection of holiday comedies on YouTube have plenty more where that came from. As you share this hilarious Thanksgiving humor at your Thanksgiving table everyone will love it.
4. Colorful, fragrant, crunchy piles of fall leaves
Is there anything that more clearly signals “fall” than changing foliage? All of the senses are stimulated by the vivid colors, gratifying crunch underfoot, and earthy scent of the woods.
5. Pets
Thanksgiving is the ideal time to show a little extra love to the pets that love you the most, whether it’s the soulful eyes of your pup (pleading for turkey) or the small pink nose of your kitty (also begging for turkey, but in a much more sophisticated way).
6. Crisp apples
Even though apples are sold year-round in supermarkets, there is something special about October apples with their crisp, fresh bite and tangy-sweet juice—especially if you trouped to the orchard to pick them yourself. It makes sense why apples are used in so many popular Thanksgiving recipes.
7. The giving spirit of the season
Nothing will make you more thankful for what you have than giving some of it away to someone who has less. We swear, the “holiday spirit” is a real thing.
8. Tasty pumpkin dishes
Pumpkins are a very adaptable fruit, bringing deep autumnal flavor to everything from sweet desserts to savory soups. The perfect time to explore with pumpkin recipes and prepare all of your favorite orange-hued dishes is now. Or you can simply purchase prepared pumpkin goodies.
9. Mums
Mums are a traditional Thanksgiving favorite. Invest in a pot for yourself or bring one as a hostess gift.
10. Pumpkin patches
Admit it: Whoever thought it would be amusing (and something people would pay money to do) to traipse across a muddy field to pick a oddly shaped squash was kind of brilliant. And it is great fun! Visit the best pumpkin patch in your area to join in on the fun.
11.Turkey
The humble turkey is a great source full of protein, as well as having high quantities of tryptophan, the chemical that is known to make you feel calm and sleepy after a big meal. However, this traditional Thanksgiving symbol and delicacy doesn’t get much love the rest of the year.9. Mums
12. Mini turkey hand-puppets
These adorable paper cutouts will make you remember how small and innocent children are. They might even bring back memories of when your world was full of enchantment and Santa really did exist, and you could make birds with your little hands. If you’re a parent, you should be ever thankful for any easy Thanksgiving crafts like these that will keep the youngsters busy on the big day.
13. Your dearest friends
Dear friends are like family. And on occasion, they are even better than family, particularly when they arrive with a turkey that hasn’t been burned–saving the day. Don’t forget to express to those you care about your appreciation for their friendship and how much better your life is as a result of having them in it. .
14. Candy Corn
Although vegetable corn is fantastic, candy corn is far superior for decorative purposes. When combined with peanuts, it makes a salty-sweet Thanksgiving table decoration that guests may nibble on while they wait for the turkey to finish cooking.
15. Delectable hot beverages
Warm spiced apple cider is a wonderful way to greet your guests as they arrive and pumpkins are a very adaptable fruit, bringing deep autumnal flavor to everything from lattes and sweet desserts to savory soups. The perfect time to experiment with pumpkin recipes and prepare all of your favorite orange-hued dishes is now.
16. Kid’s gratitude lists
If you ask an adult what they are grateful for, they often respond with something practical like “a warm house” or “family.” You never know what a child will say when you ask a question!
17. Marching bands
Band geeks, often known as musical geniuses, have spent the entire year practicing for the major Thanksgiving parade. By watching a parade on TV or supporting your neighborhood high school band, you can appreciate the pomp and beauty of a full band.
18. Earlier evenings
Even though summer nights filled with barbecues and nighttime activities tend to get all the attention, fall nights may also be enjoyable. Make some popcorn, get a puzzle or board game out, put on a favorite movie, and take pleasure in the feeling of cuddling up together.
19. Football
Thanksgiving is a football season high point. With a sport that is as American as Thanksgiving itself, you can bond with friends and family whether you’re watching a game on TV or playing a little touch football in the park.
20. A cozy kitchen
Thanksgiving is often best enjoyed by spending the day in the kitchen, catching up with family, and preparing favorite dishes.
21. Mittens and scarves
You must stay warm because of the falling temperatures. Nothing, however, prevents you from doing it with flair! Thanksgiving is the ideal occasion to show off your stylish gloves, cozy scarves, adorable caps, tall boots, and sophisticated coats—and to express your gratitude for having warm fingers and toes.
22. First snowfall
Around Thanksgiving, much of the country experiences its first snowfall, serving as a gentle reminder that winter is just around the bend. The first snowfall and chill foreshadow holiday parties, hot chocolate, snowmen, and sledding.
23. Christmas songs
It’s controversial to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. When Thanksgiving finally arrives, though, feel free to play all of your favorite holiday music.
24. Quiet and security
The world can be an upheaval. However, if you’re reading this, you’re probably in a peaceful and safe environment. Be thankful and contribute to improving the world in the upcoming year.
25. Pie
When it comes to delectable Thanksgiving pies, pumpkin pie is just the beginning. There are wonderful seasonal treat tastes as well in apple, rhubarb, pecan, walnut, French silk, coconut cream, and caramel pies, among others.
26. Plumbing and electricity
Anyone would likely be thankful for our amenities after considering what our predecessors endured simply to survive. Just try to picture what it would be like to live without the internet, electricity, indoor toilets, or tap water.
27. Cozy Blankets
Nothing tops off a nice Thanksgiving meal like drifting off to sleep in a soft bed beneath a warm, fluffy cover. For even more coziness, place a lovely throw blanket on top.
28. Thanksgiving is essentially the High Carb Holiday–thanks to the bread, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, and pie. Even though they sometimes receive a bad rap, carbohydrates still have their place in your diet, and Thanksgiving is the perfect day to indulge guilt-free.
28. Work
Being able to enjoy what you do while providing for yourself and your family is a blessing. Show your gratitude at the office by giving thoughtful gifts to your co-workers and your boss.
29. Advice columns
Thanksgiving can be a depressing time, especially if your life isn’t going quite the way you’d hoped. Reading about other people’s problems in an advice column just might make you more grateful for your own situation.
30. Children’s laughter
Thanksgiving is a family holiday, and while having so many varied personalities in one location might be difficult, there is always something positive to be found in children’s laughter. It’s sincere, it comes from the heart, and it always occurs at the most ideal situations (like when Grandpa unintentionally burps). The entire family can enjoy playing fun Thanksgiving games, including the kids!
31. Smiles from total strangers
A stranger’s grin may seem insignificant, but it has the power to completely alter your day. They took notice of you. Someone thought highly enough of you to grin. The more you consider it, the more incredible it seems.
32. Waiters
On Thanksgiving, a lot of eateries are crowded. Let’s all pause to express our gratitude to the staff members who make it all possible, including the servers, hosts, managers, chefs, cooks, bussers, and others.
33. Mom
Thanksgiving customs can serve as potent reminders of the happy times you enjoyed with and how much your mother loves you, no matter where she is in the world. This is true whether your mother is in the next room, the next town, the next country, or awaiting the resurrection. Get her a wonderful Christmas present to show her how much you care.
34. Dad
Remember your papa! Dads hold a special place in our hearts, coordinating everything from the neighborhood football game to repeatedly raking the leaf pile so you can jump in it.
5. Corn mazes
Get some exercise before the big feast by navigating (and perhaps getting lost) in one of those amazing life-size corn mazes.
36. Leftovers
Are there any leftovers that surpass those from Thanksgiving? No, there aren’t any.
37. Potpourri
Try this simple stovetop potpourri recipe to bring the spicy, earthy scent of fall indoors: In a small pot, combine orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla, and nutmeg.and cover with water before heating on low–adding water as needed. The scent will be enjoyable all day.
38. Books
What better way to pass the hours following the meal than cuddled up in your favorite recliner with a romantic comedy or an intriguing mystery? Or involve the whole family by reading Thanksgiving-themed children’s books.
39. Naps
Thanksgiving traditions like football and turkey don’t exclude napping. And engaging in this tradition is just as beneficial to you as it is enjoyable.
40. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held for the 96th time this year, continuing a long-standing tradition. If you can’t make it in person, you can still watch it online or on TV from the comfort of your home without having to brave the throng.
41. Pumpkin spice
The pleasure you can have with this mixture of allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves goes beyond pumpkin spice lattes. From lattes, doughnuts, and ravioli to body wash, hand soap, candles, and air freshener, pumpkin spice is present everywhere.
42. Nature walks
There is no better way to appreciate nature’s artistic creations than through seeing the seasonal changes in the colors of the trees. The ideal afterthought to Thanksgiving dinner is a stroll around or drive through the shifting fall scenery.
43. Black Friday
Thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, shopping might replace football as the most important Thanksgiving celebration if it were a sport. But because not everyone enjoys the busiest shopping day of the year, feel free to take advantage of the deals from the comfort of your computer.
44. FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom
While technology has given us many gifts, perhaps none are more important than the opportunity to view our loved ones even when they aren’t present in person. Thank goodness for FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and other tools that allow us to connect with distant grandparents, relatives, kids, and friends. Make your Thanksgiving, online and in-person, gatherings as pleasant as possible by avoiding hot button topics..
45. The structure you call home
The nicest thing to be thankful for is something like this. One of humanity’s basic requirements is shelter, yet until you don’t have it, we tend take it for granted. This year, remember to be thankful for the roof that provides you with warmth and security as you glance up. Likewise, aid groups that assist those without homes in obtaining their own roofs.
46. Lip balm
Dry, cracked lips and skin are a result of cold, dry weather. This time of year, lip balm and lotion can be lifesavers. A modest but significant object for which to express gratitude.
47. Streaming television
Whether you’re in the kitchen, on the couch or doing chores around the house, Thanksgiving is the perfect day to binge-watch a favorite show or get caught up on shows you might have missed.
48. Emergency service personnel
You know who never gets a day off, even on Thanksgiving? Firefighters, first responders, EMTs, doctors, nurses and many other emergency service workers. Show them your gratitude for their service 365 days a year by dropping off a little treat or making a donation to their local cause.
49. Tears
Thanksgiving tears are often of the poignant variety—saying goodbye to loved ones and remembering past holidays. And those tears serve an important purpose: We only cry when something is important to us, so those tears are a reminder of how much we love and are loved.
50. Slipper socks
Slipper socks will keep your toes toasty through the holiday festivities. They come in all kinds of styles, fun patterns and soft fabrics. Plus, they’re the perfect cover-up for imperfect toenails. The same goes for a pair of the best slippers for men and women.
51. Cell phones
Ponder for just a second what a miracle it is to have a TV, radio, camera and computer all rolled into a single device that fits in your pocket. How else would we capture all those precious Thanksgiving moments?
52. Freedom of speech
The historical roots of Thanksgiving often get lost in the food and fun, but at its core, the holiday is about the founding of our country. One of the benefits of being American: freedom of speech.
53. Fresh air to breathe
Between the coronavirus pandemic, wildfires, storms and air pollution, we can’t take clean air for granted. Every breath in—particularly when you can see blue skies—is something to be thankful for.
54. Whipped cream
This classic pie topping is a must-have at Thanksgiving. Whoever figured out how to whip cream long enough for it to be fluffy (but not so long that it turns into butter) was brilliant. As was the person who decided to dump sugar into the mix.
55. Frosted windows
As the days get colder, you will see some of nature’s most beautiful artwork decorating your windows. Snowflakes and ice glitter more brightly than any diamond. These Thanksgiving decorations will also make you smile.
56. Pizza and pad thai
Not everyone likes turkey and potatoes. Thankfully, these days you have plenty of options for your feast. Get creative, go gourmet or just simplify.
57. Black olives
What’s a Thanksgiving meal without a bowl of olives for kids (and adults!) to put on their fingers? Fingertip olives make a fun and tasty, albeit less than sanitary, appetizer.
58. Challenges
Counting your blessings requires you to also look at all the challenges you’ve faced lately—and how the two are connected. There is no triumph without defeat, no joy without pain.
59. Vaccines and the scientists who invented them
Thanks to the COVID-19 vaccines, many people are able to enjoy a holiday meal with their loved ones this year. But don’t forget all the other vaccines that keep us safe and healthy.
60. Streaming playlists
Classical background music during dinner? Bon Jovi while playing football? Any type of music you could ever want is available at a touch. And better yet, the chances are high that someone has already made you the perfect playlist. That includes Thanksgiving songs that help create the perfect ambiance.
61. Old pictures
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to break out the old photo albums and stroll down memory lane with loved ones. How great is it that treasured moments of our lives are captured forever?
62. Growth
Everyone changes. Let’s be grateful that we’ve had the time to reflect on who we are and the ability to grow into the people we want to be.
63. Sweaters
One perk of cooler weather is that you can rock your favorite sweaters. Who doesn’t love looking cute and feeling cozy?
64. Holiday gifts
There’s nothing like giving and receiving holiday gifts this time of year. If you’re shipping gifts out, make sure you know the important holiday shipping deadlines so your presents arrive on time.
65. Religious liberty
How blessed that, in this country, we can attend any church. synagogue, or mosque that we please–or not
66. Chocolate
Is there anything more to be said? From the smallest of chips to the largest of bars, milk or dark or even white, always be grateful that we have chocolate.
67. Sparkling apple juice
This kids-table favorite is always a hit with adults too. Whether you want a nonalcoholic option at Thanksgiving or just like sweet drinks, nothing says fall festivities like a crisp glass of sparkling apple juice.
68. Stars
We don’t mean the kind on the red carpet, although you can be grateful for those too! With daylight fading and nights getting longer, it’s comforting to see bright stars or a full moon in the darkness. How many constellations can you name? If none come to mind, try going outside after your meal to see some—if the turkey hasn’t put you to sleep already!
69. Farmers
Our food doesn’t come from nowhere! When you’re looking at your delicious Thanksgiving spread and trying to think about what to eat first, take a moment to remember and be thankful for all the agricultural workers who made your green bean casserole possible. Then stuff as much of it in your mouth as possible. Thanks, farmers!
70. Gratitude
That’s right: We just told you to be thankful for being thankful. Practicing gratitude can ward off depression, lower blood pressure, ameliorate anxiety and even increase your life span. You’re welcome!