Katherine Hutt, a communications specialist and mother of two in Vienna, Virginia, gives her kids a scavenger list and then takes them for walks around the neighborhood. My daughter Katie, who's four, squeals with delight when we spot something that's on the list so we can check it off. Perform gratitude rituals daily. Whether it's grace before meals, prayers before bedtime, or simply asking your kids what good things happened during the day, any acts of appreciation you perform on a daily basis are your family's gratitude rituals. The point is we're together, we're having fun, and Maya is thinking about something meaningful.
Kids often come up with more creative ideas than an ordinary note.
If they're stumped, offer options like drawing a picture or taking a photo of themselves enjoying the gift. Look for opportunities to give . Few children appreciate how much they have until they see someone who has less. Volunteer work provides a perfect chance to teach children what it means to be grateful, which is why Lynne Tickle, a construction-loan manager in Richmond, Virginia, involves her sons in making a Christmas meal each year for around 40 homeless people. When things are handed over on request, the sense of joy and accomplishment is lost.