A Tradition of Gratitude

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Four years ago I started down a little path. My dear husband had an idea — to take one of my favorite childhood family traditions and remake it in order to share the gift with others. And that fall the Thankful Box was born. 

The origins of the tradition are richly personal to me. You can read all about it here. But suffice it to say, every year since I can remember my mom has brought out the Thankful Box — usually a shoe box wrapped in holiday paper with a hole cut in the top. And every day from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve we would fill that box with notes of thanksgiving. The simple ritual, even at a young age, encouraged me to look back at the good — at so many wonderful things, people, and moments that I had experienced — and put them into words. The very act of writing (or when I was very young, drawing nearly illegible pictures) brought joy, not matter what else was going on around me.

But, the best part of all was Christmas morning. Of course, as a child I anticipated Christmas morning for many reasons. But every Christmas, before a stocking was emptied or a gift unwrapped, the first gift that was opened was the Thankful Box. We would pass it around the room and every family member who could read would pull out a handful of cards or strips of paper and one by one we would read these notes of gratitude aloud. Sometimes we would laugh. Sometimes we would tear up. But it was always amazing how much abundance was stored in that little box — no matter how few presents rested under the tree. 

I wasn’t intending to create the Thankful Box again this year. In the past I have hand stained and stamped and sealed each box and then carefully sent it off to its future home. Hundreds of thankful boxes have found homes around the country and I feel honored to share this tradition with others. But 2020, as we all know, has been hard and I wasn’t sure I was up for the task of making these sweet boxes yet again. But then something happened. For four years I have been searching for a way to have custom-made boxes stained and etched and crafted in a way that feels timeless and enduring. And at last I found a manufacturer to make this happen. 

I am therefore incredibly excited to show you the new and improved Thankful Box. When I first held this beautiful little box in my hands not only was I incredibly pleased with the craftsmanship and the actualization of this vision, but it also struck me how much we need this little box this year. Amidst the turmoil and the chaos and the exhaustion of 2020, my family needs this little box more than ever as a daily reminder of the good. 

Of course, you don’t need this beautiful little box to carry out this tradition. My parents will testify that a shoebox worked just as well. But as I place this box on my table, it will serve as a daily reminder, a meaningful centerpiece, and a conversation starter (guests in my house growing up were always invited to contribute to the thankful box) that I hope will grace our home for years to come. Current pre-sales of the Thankful Box have begun, but there is a catch. These sales are pending until we can hit a minimum number that will make the manufacturing of the boxes possible. That means that if you want to see one of these boxes in your home you need to place your order quickly and share it with friends. Once we reach the minimum order number we will certainly order extras and have them available to purchase after the pre-sale. If all goes well, these boxes should arrive and be mailed directly to you just in time for Thanksgiving! And if we don’t reach our minimum, of course all orders will be refunded.

Regardless of whether you welcome this glorious tradition into your home this year or not, may this fall and the coming holiday season be one of gratitude for you. Even though hardships and strife and trouble may abound, thankfulness is a mighty weapon against the darkness. 

Boxes may be pre-ordered or purchased here.

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