TO YOUR SPOUSE

When it comes to your special someone, it’s easy to forget to show gratitude or leave it only to special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. This month, take the time to show your loved ones you appreciate them. Here are three easy ways to love up on your spouse and show gratitude.

1. Give Your Spouse a Break. A few hours of quiet time might very well be No. 1 on your spouse’s wish list, especially if he or she is overworked or caring for young children. Giving your spouse some extra time to do some self-care while you take care of the chores or meals for the day, will give him or her an opportunity to indulge in relaxation, which we can all use a little more of these days. 
2. Cook Their Special Dinner. If your spouse has a favorite meal and you haven’t whipped it up in a while (or have never done it), spend some time in the kitchen as a way to express gratitude for them. Make it fun. If their favorite type of food is Mexican or Sushi, for example, you can plan a Taco Night or Sushi night complete with decorations and a little hurrah. 
3. Praise Him or Her to Your Children (Or Other Family Members). One of the best ways to show gratitude to your partner is to be more vocal about how much you appreciate him or her. When you speak well of your spouse in front of others, especially your children, all of that goodwill will rub off on them, encouraging them to say “thank you” to them as well. Get the kids in on your expression of gratitude by spearheading some thank you arts and crafts projects or getting them to help out with more chores.

TO YOUR PARENTS

1. Give Them a Call. One of the simplest, yet impactful ways to show gratitude for your parents is to call them more often. For parents whose adult children don’t call often may be wondering “Am I still important to you?” and “What is my role in your life?” Why not spare their feelings and show your parents how much you’re thankful for by simply calling and saying, “I love you and miss you.” 
2. Help Around the House (Or Hire Someone to Help). If your parents are older, dedicate a Saturday afternoon to assisting them with chores or repairs. You can take a load off their hands by helping your parents finish a long-put-off project or simply by doing a deep-cleaning. Short on time? Hire a professional cleaner to stop by your parent’s house to provide their services. 
3. Spend Time With Them. Nothing says thank you to parents like “I’m not too cool to hang out with you!” In most cases, there are not many things you can give your parents that they can’t give themselves, so giving your time is a beautiful way to express gratitude and build your friendship. Try taking a class with your mom or dad or do something you both enjoyed doing when you were younger. 

TO YOUR SIBLINGS AND BESTIES

1. Host a Gratitude Gathering. When it comes to your peers, including your brothers or sisters, hosting an intimate, chic dinner where you can make each guest feel appreciated and loved is a nice way to show gratitude, especially if you haven’t seen each other in a while. You can give your gathering a theme or keep it simple. 
2. Send a Holiday Photocard. Did you recently have a baby or did one of your little ones lose a tooth? Sure, your peeps can see those pics on your social media pages, but nothing really compares to a photo print-out that can be posted on your loved ones’ fridges or framed. Many pro photographers are getting booked out this season, so be sure to contact your go-to photographer as early as possible. 
3. Schedule in Some V-Time. The holidays tend to be some of the busiest times of the year, so it’s easy to get so busy to spend time with our buddies. This is where video chat comes in. If you’re not already on a regular video check-in schedule with your besties, set something up. Your friends will love seeing your face. 

What are some of your favorite ways to show gratitude to others? Drop us a note or leave a comment.