We promised we’d share some of the notes we dropped into our Thanksgiving-inspired “thanks jar” over the past month. For a few weeks we wrote anonymously, each of us adding a short gratitude note without knowing what the other person had written. When we finally opened the jar and read everything together, it was a sweet reminder of the small, everyday things that make life better.
Here are a few highlights from the jar:
- For finally figuring out what to do with that thrift store glass jar. – John
- That Clara’s birth was a miracle and she’s a healthy, happy little girl. – Sherry
- That we sold our house and found 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
- That John has an amazing family. I love my in-laws. – Sherry
- That when I’m sick, Sherry is far better company than I’d be. – John
- That Clara is in the 90th percentile for height. My tall girl—so proud. – Sherry
- For only having 1,500 sq ft of stuff to move instead of 2,500 this time. – John
- That six months ago Clara was born, and every day since has felt like a gift. – Sherry
- That Clara let us sleep for 11 uninterrupted hours last night. – John
If you skim this list you’ll notice a theme: Clara, Clara, and more Clara. We’re clearly a little obsessed with our daughter, and understandably predictable when it comes to listing what we’re grateful for: each other, our pup, our home, family and friends, and this stage of life. But that’s okay—there’s a lot to appreciate.
We also tossed in a few curveballs to keep it interesting. I seem to be thankful for a lot of food-related things:
- For feta cheese. – Sherry
- For Burger’s preference for my lap. He loves me more. – Sherry
- That Clara seems to enjoy music videos as much as her dad does. – John
- For the show “Dexter”—it’s one of those series that sticks with you. – John
- For the Mushroom Asparagus Thin sandwich at Einstein Bagels. – Sherry
- For Google—an endless source of answers and quick explanations. – Sherry
- For thick socks on cold floors. Little comfort, big impact. – John
- For spellcheck. We’d be in trouble without it. – John
- For the funny chihuahua videos you stumble upon on YouTube. – Sherry
- For Oprah and the influence she’s had on culture. – Sherry
- For Tina Fey—always brilliant and funny. – John
We’d love to hear what random people or things you’re grateful for this year. Are there any fellow feta fans out there? Tina Fey devotees? Or maybe small comforts like thick socks, a favorite sandwich, or a dog that prefers one lap over another? Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand—sometimes it’s the tiny, everyday pleasures that anchor us and make life sweeter.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate gratitude and start your own traditions, we’ve shared some simple ideas before: a printable for sending notes of thanks, a chalkboard display for Thanksgiving messages, and the story of our daughter’s first year of Thanks Jar notes. Those small rituals can make the holiday season feel more intentional and connected.
Update: We also put together a list of favorite holiday decor finds—many affordable and under $15—for anyone who likes quick, budget-friendly decorating ideas.