Create a Holiday Blessings Jar

Holiday Blessings Jar

After Thanksgiving is over and all the turkey leftovers are gone, we may forget about keeping our blessings in the forefront of our minds. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for this year.  Our attitude about what we have vs. what we don’t have colors our day-to-day experiences.  When we focus on the positive, giving thanks for the good instead of dwelling on the negative, that abundance mindset has a ripple effect on all our experiences.

Of course, friends, family, health usually tops everyone’s gratitude list, but it’s not just the big things we need to be thankful for.  Focusing on the things you’re grateful for that are seemingly insignificant can make a huge difference in how you view your everyday life as well.  Often, it’s those things, or the ability to appreciate them, that can enhance our appreciation of the BIGGER things.

Appreciate the Small Things

Here are just a few of the things I want to appreciate this year… (updated for 2018)

• The soft part of Ruby (our golden retriever’s head) that seems squishy-soft when I pet it
• My Minnetonka Moccasin Slippers that keep my feet warm in the mornings
• The way our turtles stack on top of each other and lay in the sun (it makes me smile)
• The fact that Starbucks Pike Place Roast comes in bags so I can make it at home
• The nice, dry split wood in our garage we can use to make cozy fires in our fireplace
• Silly dog memes on FB that crack me up
• Downton Abbey (finally catching up)
• The free popcorn at Big Dog and Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster
• When I look in the mailbox and there’s an Amazon Prime package
• Books.  The paper kind.  (I’ve rediscovered reading them after taking a break from Audible)
• The jewelry store I frequent near our cabin
• Beets.  Still don’t like them, but I do think their color is beautiful.
• Nacho Cheese Doritos, Cheez-Its and Moose Tracks ice cream
• The smell of gardenias in bloom
• Fresh, clean sheets

Placing the emphasis on the good things in life is a way to bring gratitude into focus this holiday season, and it’s a good way to enjoy the frugal life all year long. The Holiday Blessings Jar is one easy way to bring gratitude into focus for the entire family.

Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude

Here’s my challenge:  From now until Christmas, have each family member write down the things, experiences and moments they’re thankful for on a small piece of paper. I think red and green paper looks great in the jar, topped with a ribbon.  Do this each day, or several times a day if the mood strikes.  Write the person’s name along with the date and place the slip of paper inside the jar.  By the time Christmas arrives, your jar will be full.   If you decorate your jar, it also doubles as a frugal holiday tabletop decoration.

You could turn your Holiday Blessings Jar into a Christmas Countdown Activity by creating a piece of paper to write blessings on for each day leading up to Christmas.  When the paper is gone, Christmas is here!

After the season is over, don’t throw the paper away. Tuck the jar away with your other holiday decorations and bring it out again next year. When you do, re-read the things you were thankful for during the prior year. The blessings jar becomes a great keepsake and reminder of your family’s many blessings.