Thanksgiving may be over, but we can still foster gratitude within our families through the rest of the holiday season and beyond. Try these tips to get started.

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What did you get for Christmas? This question is common for young and old alike. While it may be a way of showing genuine interest and sharing in the holiday excitement, it’s important to make sure gratitude for gifts and kindness is part of Christmas day and beyond.

Gratitude is a character trait based on a genuine sense of caring. It usually goes beyond a simple thank you, although that can be a good place to start. Genuine thankfulness requires thought and action in order to be mutually beneficial to the giver and receiver.

Gail Innis from Michigan State University Extension, states that real gratitude or a sense of thankfulness begins when we are able to recognize and point out small things that make us thankful. Adults can model the behavior through daily words and actions, starting early with young children. For example: “Dad works so hard for our family. Why don’t we make him a special meal to show him how much we appreciate him?”

Innis provides additional ways to develop an attitude of gratitude by citing references from The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website: (https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas ).

1. Discuss a gift your child received during the holidays. Ask what the child liked about it. Talk about the gift giver and how nice it is to be remembered and appreciated by someone.
2. Have your child draw a picture or write a note of thanks. Share how good it feels to get a note or letter in the mail. Assist your child, depending on age and developmental stage, in addressing and mailing the note. Putting feelings on paper can make them more real for a child.
3. Make a thank you phone or video call to the gift giver. Encourage your child to talk about the gift and share how he or she will use it.
4. Involve your children in local charitable events. Stay informed about community endeavors that help those less fortunate. Discuss upcoming events and brainstorm ways your family could assist. Include your children in a discussion about the charity you’d like to support and why. Even a very young child can assist in choosing a toy for a holiday toy drive.
5. Read stories about generous people and characters. The book, “The Giving Tree,” by Shel Silverstein, might be a way to open a conversation about the attitude of gratitude. In “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” author Carol McCloud tells of an easy way to teach children the power of affirming words and actions.
6. Take advantage of winter days by helping your children clean out old toys, books and clothing they no longer use. Talk about how much other children will appreciate these items. Some local thrift stores, pantries or organizations will even deliver donations. Be certain to check ahead for rules on what the group will take for distribution.
7. Have a Saturday family baking day and prepare packages of homemade items. These can be shared with elderly neighbors or a service provider such as the mail carrier, a bus driver or teacher.
8. Pay attention to people who display generosity and kindness. Point them out to your child. For example, “Wasn’t it nice of daddy to help grandma on with her heavy winter coat?” Or, “Did you see that man pick up the litter someone dropped in the park?” Say thank you out loud when someone opens a door for you, lets you cut in front of them in the check-out line or does any other kind act.
9. Take time each day at dinner or bedtime to mention one thing you are thankful for. (See:http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/teaching_an_attitude_of_gratitude_to_young_children )

Creating a feeling of gratitude that lasts beyond the holidays takes effort but is well worth it. Repetition and guidance from parents and loving adults are important keys to instilling gratitude in children.

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This article was written by Kathleen Riggs, Utah State University Extension family and consumer sciences professor, Kathleen.riggs@usu.edu, 435-586-8132

 

Mother’s Day is coming right up. Try some of these thoughtful ideas to celebrate mom, grandma, and all the influential women in your life. 

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Mother’s Day has been a tradition since the 1860s when Ann Jarvis created a committee to establish a “Mother’s Friendship Day” and was nationally recognized in 1914 by a proclamation signed by Woodrow Wilson.  It is a great way to honor those who gave us life, nurtured us and helped us on our way through life. It is usually celebrated in May in the United States. So how can we let these wonderful women know of our love and appreciation?  Here are a few ideas you might try or adapt.

For Your Mom or Grandma- After You Have Left the Nest

When children grow up and leave home, it is very hard for their moms. They still worry about their children, and miss all the fun times and meaningful interactions they had together.

Creating an “All about Mom” questionnaire can be a way to remind your mom how much you love her, and of all the good she has done. Not only does this gift come from the heart, but it’s simple to do and can to involve everyone. Try one of these questionnaires:

All About Mom from One She Two She

All About Mom or Grandma from The Crafting Chicks

Try having all your siblings fill out the same questionnaire (be sure to send them the questionnaire in plenty of time before Mother’s Day). You can present the completed questionnaires to your mom or grandma on Mother’s Day along with her favorite treat or flowers. Another idea is to roll up all the questionnaires, tie a ribbon around them and attach a little bag of Hershey’s Hugs and Kisses.

From Mom, to the Kids

Sometimes on Mother’s Day we leave the rest of the family out of the celebration.  Recognizing and sharing with your family why you love being a mother to them can strengthen your parent-child relationships, build lasting bonds, and remind you why you are glad to be a mother. You can use this form to write to each of your children, young or old, telling them why you love being their mom or grandma. Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon, then attach a treat such as Sweetrts. Here’s a printable tag you can attach as well. 

Download Happy Mother’s Day.. From Me! Form Download Printable Tags

For Other Women who have Influenced You 

For many women, motherhood may not be a role they have had. They may not have become mothers for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they may have never married or not been able to bear children. They may be a neighbor, close friend, aunt, teacher, etc.  Mother’s Day can be a painful reminder of not being a mother. These women often play a vital role in the nurturing and “mothering” of other’s children.

Create a similar questionnaire and fill it out or have your children fill it out for the person who is special to you.  You could also take a picture of them with your children, frame it and have your children write a special note to them.  Write a letter telling them how they have impacted your life, and let them know of your love for them.  You could top it off by inviting them over for a meal or special party to honor them.

For After Your Mother is Gone

After my mother died, it was hard to celebrate Mother’s Day without her, so I decided to reach out to some wonderful aunts of mine who I had interacted with during my growing up years. I purchased Mother’s Day Cards, and wrote a note telling them of my love for them.  I was surprised at how many of them responded back about how much my thoughts had touched them.  Some other ideas you might consider:

•    Send a note of remembrance to a someone who has lost their mother.  This might help the child be reminded of the fine person their mother was, lessons she taught them or what wonderful characteristics they have inherited from her.
•    Send Mother’s Day notes or cards to neighbors who you love but are not your own mother. You may want to recount a fond memory and thank them for their influence on your life.

Mother’s Day Brunch Fruit Dip

Melted white chocolate is blended into cream cheese and lightened up with fresh whipped cream in this effortless, delicious fruit dip! Perfect for serving at Mother’s Day brunch.

Ingredients

•    ¼ cup milk
•    4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
•    8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (very important!)
•    ¼ cup sugar
•    ½ cup heavy cream
•    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
•    Fresh fruit (berries, apple slices, pineapple wedges, kiwi fruit, etc.)

Instructions

1.     Heat milk until hot but not boiling. Whisk in white chocolate until melted and totally smooth. Set aside to cool.
2.     In a large bowl, beat sugar into cream cheese. Mix the white chocolate mixture into the cream cheese mixture.
3.     In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and vanilla until soft (not stiff) peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
4.     Cover and chill for at least 4 hours (to overnight). Serve with fresh fruit dippers, and/or vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc.

Notes

If the cream cheese is not completely at room temperature, the melted white chocolate will re-solidify into little chunks once you mix the two together.

Pretzel Flowers

These tasty little flowers would make a cheery gift, and this recipe would be a great one to make with children.

Ingredients

• Pretzel twists or squares
• White chocolate pieces or candy melts
• M&M candies

Instructions

Heat oven to 200 degrees F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange pretzels on parchment, and place one candy melt on top of each pretzel. Warm in oven for 2 minutes, or until candy melt is soft, but not melted through the pretzel. Place M&Ms on top of the candy melt in a circle to make a flower shape Let cool for an hour or two before storing in an airtight container.

Microwave Instructions: 

Place pretzels topped with candy melts on a paper plate and melt in microwave at 50 percent power for 30-50 seconds.  Arrange M&M candies on top in a flower shape. Let cool for an hour or two before storing in an airtight container.

 

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This article was written by Marilyn Albertson – Extension Associate Professor – Family & Consumer Sciences, Salt Lake County

Fruit dip recipe from http://oneshetwoshe.com/2014/04/white-chocolate-cheesecake-fruit-dip.html

What do you carry in your purse? Beyond the wallet, keys, lip balm and phone, do you have anything out of the ordinary?  Adding a few simple things to your purse could make a big difference— in your life and the lives of those around you.

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Seems like ladies’ purses have gotten bigger and bulkier over the years – a variable black hole for losing keys, phones, kid toys and who knows what else. You might be surprised at what all can fit in one of those things! Recently, I began packing something unusual in my purse and it’s starting to change my life.

Blank note cards, envelopes, a pen, and some stamps. That’s it. I think of it as my heart warmer kit.

You might be thinking: That’s it?  That’s changing your life? Think of it this way…when was the last time you received a handwritten thank you note or friendly card?  Did you like the way it felt to know that someone took time to think about you and then personally reach out to you? What a great opportunity to pay that feeling forward and bring some sunshine to someone’s day.

In this day and age of electronic everything, the personal touch of a handwritten note is being lost in the immediacy of technology. While sending social media notes may be efficient and can be personalized, it’s just not the same.

Don’t take my word for it.  Try it out for yourself.  A simple place to start is to to build your heart warmer kit. The notecards don’t need to be fancy or expensive.  Don’t forget the stamps.  I heard one time that “feeling appreciation and not sharing it is like wrapping a gift but not giving it.” Mailing or delivering the card is crucial to the process. Writing notes anonymously is even more fun but can possibly be a little more difficult to deliver.

Next, find a quiet moment to think about who has done something you appreciate or admire.  The more practice you get at tuning into opportunities to show appreciation, the easier this will be.  You’ll find yourself part way through a day seeing someone struggle or triumph and you’ll have a twinge in your heart and a thought come into your mind to send them a note of encouragement, congratulations or thanks for their efforts. That’s why my cards are now in my purse.  When I started, it was a “do this once a week” type goal for me; now it’s like I’ve primed the pump of appreciation and I see the need around me often.

The amazing part is that this little heart warmer kit I carry with me warms my heart as I write, then someone else’s as they read, and sometimes, mine again if I get a sweet note of appreciation back. And that’s why the most unusual item in my purse is changing my life.

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This article was written by Rebecca Mills, Extension assistant professor in family consumer sciences and 4-H youth development