Coach's Corner

Giving Thanks Creatively

Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away and many of us “turkey fans” find our mouths watering at the thought of Thanksgiving dinner. Not only is Thanksgiving a great opportunity to take part in delicious feasts, but to spend time making memories with family, friends and most importantly looking back on the blessings in our lives - demonstrating a heart of thankfulness to those who have been part of our stories.

If you have served alongside me in children’s ministry in any capacity over the years, you will likely have received a note of thanks in one form or another. I love writing thank you notes - some more cheesy than others! Words are a main ‘love language’ for me and therefore I resort to written word, more often than not, to help convey my ‘thanks’.
Thank-you notes are a great way to give thanks creatively. Depending on the personality of the recipient, they will read it and treasure it for years to come. But don’t let the Hallmark industry hold you back from doing something “outside the envelope” to say thanks - there are many ways to express gratitude in fun and creative ways:

- Take a photo of the event or of you with the received gift and include it in a note of ‘thanks’. This helps to remind the giver of what they took part in for years to come.
- Keep your ears open for small things (such as a favourite snack) that the person might enjoy and include that with a note on top that says ‘thanks’.
- Go ahead and think of some word plays. I find most of my inspiration for ‘thank you gifts’ at the grocery store (of all places!). For example, at the end of our VDC a few years back, I got all of my leaders a Kit-Kat chocolate bar and said something to the effect of “You have served with excellence this week! Sit back and enjoy a well deserved break,” in light of Kit-Kat’s slogan, “Give me a break!”. Don’t be afraid to get creative (and even borderline cheesy) at times. It’s a fun way to say thanks creatively.
- Affirming someone behind their back is a great way to not only encourage someone but also to let others know what a great job they are doing. A family friend is a teacher at a local elementary school. One year, her husband and daughter received a letter from the principal thanking them for allowing their mother and wife to commit so much time and energy to her job and for their support of her position. Not only did this husband and daughter see the letter, but guess who they showed it to? The teacher and mother whose efforts were so kindly recognized. What a great way to go behind someone’s back to say ‘thanks’!
- Send out an e-mail now and then to someone who has inspired you or encouraged you in some way. Knowing that they are being thought of by you goes a long way to affirm someone.
- Try not to take your family members or close friends for granted when they help you with something or give you something. It is easy to just rely on them without remembering to thank them.

Giving thanks creatively starts with taking time to demonstrate that the giver deserves to be thought of and thanked. Giving creatively is a part of giving generously... of your time, words and sentiment.

This Thanksgiving, don’t forget to give thanks. In a world where there is endless opportunity, many people, and demonstrations of kindness worthy of thanks, let’s not neglect to take the time.

Posted October 01, 2011