I’ll never forget the first time I started my Thanksgiving week ritual. The idea came to me randomly while at my desk working in Los Angeles on the Television Studio lot.
What if I hand-delivered heartfelt notes to all the regulars I saw and connected with during my work week?
The parking attendant.
The administrative assistant.
My new friends.
My boss.
The audience coordinator.
The cashier at the cafe.
And, then, of course, my boyfriend (now husband) and roommate. ☺️
I went home that night, printed out some cute fall leaves from Pinterest, and got to work, writing meaningful messages to all the people I was thankful for.
The key was this, though, I wanted to get really specific with my gratitude. (And, I would highly recommend doing that if you’re going to give this a try, too!)
Here are a couple of examples:
The parking attendant: “Thank you for always going out of your way to help me locate the best spot for my car! You save me trouble and time each and every morning as I rush in (lol), and you always greet me with a big smile! I want you to know how much I appreciate you. We ALL do! I hope your Thanksgiving is warm and special with those you love. Love, Ari”
The administrative assistant: “You are SO good at your job, and you always think of everyone. I don’t know how you do it! You keep this place running so smoothly, and with such style, might I add. Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving and much-deserved time off. Grateful for you. Love, Ari”
Then, here’s the best part (which may seem awkward at first, especially if you’re more introverted, but it’s so sincere and always well-received)… Hand delivering your little notes.
Yup.
You got to.
Let them feel your love and gratitude. They will LOVE it, believe me.
This ritual leaves everyone feeling so loved and seen. It spreads joy and kindness. It makes others feel appreciated.
This ritual truly embodies what Thanksgiving is all about.
My advice is to kick off this ritual at the beginning of Thanksgiving week since many people travel/take time off that week. Catch ’em early!
You can totally make your own (if you’re into getting crafty) order some online or check out some local shops that have fun stationary sections (Hallmark store, Papersource, Target, Home Goods).
Here’s a sneak peek at my cards for this year, which I found at Marshalls (shoutout to one of my faves).
Have fun with it, guys!
