When I was a kid, we celebrated Thanksgiving in one simple way: we got a free kosher turkey from the local grocery store. (It wasn’t totally free—we had to spend over $100 there first . . .) My father always said, “As a Jew, every day is Thanksgiving.”
Now that I’m an adult, I’ve embraced the holiday a bit more, especially doing gratitude-themed activities with my family. And I think back to my father’s quote. I’ve realized that as Yehudim, Jews, our very name is connected to thankfulness. In fact, the first phrase we say every morning is Modeh Ani, an expression of gratitude.
Whether your family celebrates Thanksgiving in tiny ways (like a free turkey) or goes all out (showing up early to the Thanksgiving Day Parade wearing full-blown turkey costumes)—and even if they don’t celebrate it at all—here are six small ways you can bring more thanks-giving into your life.
As a Jew, every day is Thanksgiving.
The Art of Modeh Ani: Make a Modeh Ani poster or canvas to hang near your bed. It can be as simple as printing a coloring page, decorating it and laminating it. Or, if art is your thing, go all out. You can even get together with friends and do a paint night together—each painting your own Modeh Ani canvas.
A Jar of Gratitude: Keep a notebook and a jar in your room. Once a day (before bed, or in the morning), try to think of one small thing you’re grateful for. Write it on a paper and drop it in the jar. Once a month, or at the end of the year, you can look through the jar and see all that you are grateful for.
Special Delivery: Buy a simple stationary set (you can find really affordable ones in a dollar store), and look for opportunities to write handwritten thank-you notes to people. There’s nothing like getting a handwritten card. It’ll mean so much to the recipient, and flexing your gratitude muscles will make you feel really good, too.
Around the Table: I remember one Shabbat meal, years ago, my mother said she wanted to start a new tradition. She called it “Acknowledgements,” and she encouraged us to each share one thing we appreciated about someone else at the table. At first we felt awkward or silly doing it, but a few weeks later, we realized it was a time we looked forward to. And it taught us about appreciation. What if you started a round of thank-yous at your Shabbat table once a week?
Take a Bow: My high school teacher taught me something that has stuck with me for life. He suggested that when we take a bow during Modim, we think of something from our day we want to thank Hashem for. Since that day, I’ve been careful to do this practice, and that small step has totally transformed tefillah for me. It has also improved my relationship with Hashem, as I’ve opened my eyes to all that He does for me.
Food for Thought: Think of your favorite food. And before you eat it, try to have extra concentration on the berachah. (Try even picking just one word, like “Baruch.”) Saying berachot over food is a wonderful time to get in touch with our gratitude.
Thanksgiving might be just one official day on the calendar, but as I learned from a young age, it really can be every day. And if you’re ready to bring more thanks-giving into your life, try one or some of the ideas above. Maybe with a side of pumpkin pie.
Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist and content creator who is passionate about creating books, games, activities and shows that bring Judaism to life. You can find her books, games and lots of educational activities on her website, thatjewishmoment.com and on social media, @thatjewishmoment.