People talk a lot about their favorite holidays, whether it be Christmas or the Fourth of July, but how often do you hear someone say Thanksgiving? Personally, I don't hear it that much, and even less often do they say it's their favorite because of something other than the food. Don't get me wrong, I love turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes just as much as you do, but don't you think Thanksgiving should be about giving thanks? Today, Thanksgiving is synonymous with "eating until you can't get out of your chair", not giving back. Here's a list of ways to give back this Thanksgiving:
1. See if any local soup kitchen's need help with serving food. As a huge How I Met Your Mother fan, I always think of the first Thanksgiving episode of the show, and no, I'm not talking about 'Slapsgiving". This episode primarily takes place in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving, where Ted and Robin go to help pass out food and drinks. The episode shows a full kitchen with overflowing donations and volunteers all trying to make someone's Thanksgiving just a little bit better.
2. Get together a box of clothes to donate. Every once in a while, I dump out all my clothes onto my bedroom floor and sort through what I do and don't wear and end up with piles on piles on piles of clothes in my room. I bag up the clothes I don't wear anymore and bring them to the basement. The rest of my family does the same and we all drop them off for donation.
3. Spend time with your friends and family just to show them you love them. Giving back doesn't always mean doing something for people you don't know, it can be for people you're close with too. My friends and I are having a "Friendsgiving" so we can all go out to dinner, spend time with each other, and be thankful for being a part of each other's lives. Go out with your family, play football for a little bit or go out for brunch. Spending quality time with the people you love is a good way to give back for the holiday's
Thanksgiving seemed to be smushed between Halloween and Christmas, but it's important to remember to give back. No matter how big or little the act is, it isn't hard to change someones day for the better. Make someone smile this Thanksgiving, I promise the feeling is worth it.
