We promised we’d share some of the notes we tucked into our Thanksgiving-inspired “thanks jar” over the past month. For four weeks we wrote small bits of gratitude without peeking at what the other person added, and then finally read them aloud together. It was a simple little ritual that ended up reminding us how many ordinary and special things we appreciate every day.
Here are a few highlights we smiled at when we emptied the jar:
- For finally figuring out what to do with that thrift-store glass jar. – John
- That Clara’s birth felt like a miracle and that she’s healthy and happy. – Sherry
- For selling our house and finding a new one we love—fingers crossed for a smooth closing. – Sherry
- That Clara finds Burger as hilarious as we do; she just cracked up watching him. – John
- For John’s amazing family. I’m so grateful for my in-laws. – Sherry
- That when I’m sick, Sherry is way more fun to be around than I would be. – John
- That Clara is in the 90th percentile for height—my tall girl! So proud. – Sherry
- For having 1,500 square feet of stuff to move instead of 2,500 this time around. – John
- That six months ago Clara was born—what a milestone. – Sherry
- For another blissful stretch of 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. Thank you, baby. – John
Predictably, many of our entries circle back to Clara. Our gratitude list was full of her name, small moments with her, and the new rhythms she’s brought us. Beyond our daughter, the entries reflected the same handful of comforts we often lean on: family, our pup, our current home and the one we’re moving toward, and the kindness of friends. It’s funny how a tiny ritual like this can make you see the patterns of what matters most.
We also tossed in a few unexpected or lighthearted things just to keep the list varied. I tend to be thankful for food, which is no surprise:
- For feta cheese—seriously, it makes so many dishes better. – Sherry
- For Burger’s habit of choosing my lap over anyone else’s. He clearly favors me. – Sherry
- That Clara seems to enjoy music videos as much as her dad does. She watches with delight. – John
- For the show Dexter—one of those series that kept me hooked. – John
- For that Mushroom Asparagus thin sandwich from Einstein Bagels. Comfort food wins. – Sherry
- For Google—because where would we be without quick answers? – Sherry
- For thick socks on cold floors—they’re a small luxury that feels huge in winter. – John
- For spellcheck—can’t imagine publishing anything without it. – John
- For the silly Chihuahua videos that pop up when you search online; they always make us laugh. – Sherry
- For Oprah—her interviews and perspective have inspired a lot of conversation and reflection. – Sherry
- For Tina Fey—she’s endlessly clever and funny. – John
We’d love to hear what you’d put in your own thanks jar. Are there people, routines, or small pleasures that you find yourself grateful for this year? Any fellow feta fans, Tina Fey devotees, or Oprah appreciators out there? Gratitude can be as grand as a life change or as simple as a favorite snack or pair of socks—either way, noting it down felt like a meaningful way to close the month.
If you’re looking for ideas to start your own Thanksgiving traditions, here are a few ways to make gratitude feel tangible: create a printable you can mail to friends and family, put up a gratitude chalkboard where anyone can add a message, or keep a jar where each family member drops a short note daily or weekly. Little rituals add up, and revisiting them later can be a lovely reminder of everything you value.
Update: We’ve gathered some favorite holiday decor ideas and budget-friendly picks that help make simple traditions feel festive—many of the items we love are affordable and easy to incorporate into seasonal routines.