One of our favorite November traditions is “GRATEFUL PIG.” He is a sparkly piggy bank that was given to us by my mom a few years ago and we have used him in a few different ways. Most years he sits in a prominent place with scraps of paper and a pen next to him. Every time someone thinks of something they are grateful for, they write it down and drop it in. Then we read them all on Thanksgiving to remind us of the wonderful life we lead.
A few years we have been on vacation with my family during Thanksgiving and my mom brought Grateful Pig. We all wrote our notes during the few days we were together and read them to each other on Thanksgiving.
Kids love this tradition and love hearing what they are grateful for read aloud and love hearing what everyone else is grateful for too. It makes for some pretty sweet moments together. You can choose to keep them anonymous or sign them (either way, the kids always give away theirs :).
It made a really wonderful gift a few years ago. Here is a cute poem you can attach if you plan on gifting it to your own family or another family:
Meet your family member for November
His name is grateful pig.
All month long slip him notes of thanks
For things little or things big.
Think of all the people who help you
Be who you want to be,
And those who teach you every day
Or keep your country free.
Think of things you love to eat
And songs you love to sing,
Be specific, really think
And be surprised with each new thing.
Think of good friends, fun places
And homes that keep you warm
Think of Jesus Christ our Savior
To free you he was born.
Then stuff that little piggy
With every happy bit.
This month will be different,
And not because of what you get.
One a day or even more,
Filling him up is not a sin.
Then on Thanksgiving dump him out
And read how blessed you’ve been.
