Although Christmas is my favorite holiday, and I love celebrating with my family and friends every year, I am mindful of the importance of Thanksgiving and the blessings that make it worth celebrating beyond history. Here are four ways to enhance methods of showing gratitude to those you love or appreciate.

Express yourself.

Share gratitude for the blessings and feelings for the people in your life. If you’re grateful let it show. There are many ways to communicate and you should use the method that allows you to express yourself best, whether it’s a song, a poem, a drawing or a letter.

Let your expressions reflect your feelings.

You can say thank you a million times and put it in a letter, card or text, but if the recipient doesn’t feel the sincerity of your time or energy, it could be wasted. Make sure your feelings are received and understood. Bonus tip: Add a smile, a hug and/or quality time to emphasize your feelings.

Make it count.

Step up your efforts and show your appreciation in multiple ways, especially if you start with verbal affirmations of your gratitude.

Put it in writing.

While technology has made it quick and convenient to express thoughts and feelings through digital media, handwritten messages often have a more personal impact. When writing a thank you note be sure to be specific, add a sentence or two about why you’re grateful and don’t forget to to share how the thought, gesture, friendship or whatever you’re expressing made/makes you feel.

Bonus tip: LinkedIn reviews are a great way to show appreciation for coworkers and/or superiors, past or present!

What makes you feel appreciated by people in your life? Share below.

XX,

Jasmine C. Tate