It’s February, Valentine’s day is just around the corner. It’s the time of year where everyone takes the time to think of their special someone or to think of their family members. This is the time of year where everyone thinks about their loved ones and takes the time to appreciate who they are…or at least that’s the overall idea. With the spread of COVID-19 and the statewide shut downs, this February might be a little less like the loving picture that we would love to portray. But this pandemic does not have to make our break our Valentine’s Day at all. In fact, this might be the chance to explore how your family or your loved ones have changed in the last year, and what might be some new strengths that you or your family members have developed over this year. A great way to explore that is by creating a family or spousal gratitude jar.
Gratitude jars are really simple to make. All you need is a glass or plastic jar, some craft items such as stickers, glitter, glue, or stick on gems, and finally some paper that you can cut into strips. First, the jar is decorated by the whole family or by both spouses. Everyone has to participate in this part in order to make the jar truly their own. Next, cut the paper into strips long enough for people to write down something about a family member or spouse that they are grateful for. After someone writes down what they are grateful for on the paper strip, it is put inside the jar for later. At the end of the week, the family sits down and reads the strips that have been put inside the jar throughout the week.
In a time where there is so much negativity around us, maybe something we can do in our own families is rejoice over the good things that they bring to our lives as well as the good things that we bring to them.