Thanksgiving Thank You Cards - A New Tradition

The idea of Thanksgiving takes on different meanings for all of us, but the original intention of the holiday wasn't about turkey, football, or even pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving was originally celebrated to reflect on the blessings in our lives from the previous year.

This year I decided to start a new tradition in the true spirit of Thanksgiving. I am going to write Thanksgiving thank you cards. Now I know what you are thinking. I already have to send out Christmas cards, birthday cards, Valentines, etc., do I really need to send a Thanksgiving thank you card?

While it may take a little work, sending a Thanksgiving thank you card will give your loved ones some much needed appreciation for helping to enrich your life.

The idea is to include specific examples of things that your loved ones did for you in past year. You may send a thank you for a big gesture like throwing an anniversary party, or something small, like thanking your neighbor for checking in on the dog while you were away. You'll be surprised how much a tiny gesture like a thank you card is appreciated.

I know what you are thinking. How in the world am I going to remember everything that has been done for me in the past year? To make things easier, I would suggest keeping a notebook handy that you can write in when some one does a good deed for you. You can also pull out this notebook when you are reminded of something that was done for you in the past year.

A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving you pull out your notebook and start your thank you cards. The notebook will give you all of the information you need so you won't have the pressure of staring at a blank card.

Here are some things to consider while recalling the good deeds have been done for you this past year:

Who helped you on a home improvement project?

Did anyone watch the kids for you to give you a night out?

Did anyone provide transportation for you to an event or appointment?

Was there some one who helped you out financially?

Did anyone help you move?

Did a neighbor come and pet-sit, or house-sit?

Did some one help out mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or landscaping?

Did anyone help nurse you when you were sick?

Did anyone take you somewhere special like a concert, play, or movie? Did they take your kids?

Did anyone offer their moral support through a trying time?

By sending out Thanksgiving thank you cards you'll give the most important people in your life some much needed appreciation. You'll also gain a new understanding of all of the wonderful things that people do for you on a daily basis.