Bless Others This Thanksgiving

When Thanksgiving time rolls around, everyone seems to reflect on the year that has just passed. Thoughts turn to blessings and thankfulness.

Here are some interesting ways to share what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

If you’ve been especially blessed financially over the last year, why not share that good fortune with others who are struggling? Make a surprise gift to someone in your family or church or neighborhood. Arrange to have an envelope with cash delivered to your recipient by a mutual friend. Instruct them not to tell who it came from. Pay a single mom’s light bill for the month or buy a gift certificate for a month of free gas for the elderly man on your street. You’ll feel so good knowing you were able to give a Thanksgiving gift to those less forunate with your overflowing blessings.

You can make it a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving Day table, or you can make it a more elaborate decoration that can stay up through the holidays. It can be as ornate or as simple as you like and include as many people as you like. The idea is to create a tree—real or artificial—and hand out leaves for people to write what they are thankful for.

You can ask people to include a dollar or more with their leaf and then donate it to a charity. Or you can just take in all the leaves and make a glittering display. String it with lights so you can really enhance the good fortune.

You may have had a year of good health but many children will be in the hospital this Thanksgiving season. It’s too early for Santa to come, but you can play Santa now. Bring baby baskets over to the hospital and help distribute them.

Bring soft baby toys for the smaller kids to cuddle. Find out what’s the hot toy this season and surprise an older child with a toy they thought they’d never get.

If you’re thankful for family members this year, write letters to them. Invest in some pretty stationery and hand-write a note telling them exactly why you are so thankful that they are in your life. Leave the note at their place setting at the table.

Another way to show them you're thankful is to get creative. Mail the letter, send an ecard, or write it on their refrigerator! No matter how you send the message, they'll be honored to know that someone is thankful for them.

If you have a little bit more to spend on them, opt to purchase a thank you gift to show your appreciation. These can be filled with all kinds of goodies these days, so it will be easy to find one that works well for you.

If you’re thankful that you got a job this year (or still have your job!), offer to be a mentor to a young college student or high school graduate. Call up the local high school or community college and see if they can recommend a student who could especially benefit from your wisdom.

Is there someone pursuing a career that you have knowledge about? Your know-how will be a great holiday gift towards making a bright future for someone else.

Are you thankful for your children? Teach them to be thankful too by inviting a family who is new in town to the Thanksgiving dinner. Or collect clothing, toys and other gently used items. Add new toiletries to the bundle and surprise a less fortunate family with your gift baskets.

If you grew up in a loving family, sponsor a child whose father or mother is in prison this season. You’d be surprised just how many kids are facing the holidays alone this year through no fault of their own. Offer to take them shopping for a new outfit and bring them to the family dinner. Or just provide a gift certificate to a shop in the mall and a card that says you care and are there if they need you.

By looking outside of the norm this Thanksgiving season, you can share what you are thankful for with others in meaningful ways. Don’t stick to what’s comfortable. Reach out into the community and make a difference in someone’s life. And remember, if you’re shy, you can always bless someone anonymously!