A chill is in the air. The holiday decorations are in prominent display at the Target dollar section. The beautiful Amazon catalog has arrived in mailboxes. And the toy ads on TV are quickly replacing the political ones. Unfortunately, attitudes become very "me, me, me" and, especially during this tough season, it's easy to focus on what you want. Heck, many of us would probably even argue what we deserve. This is why the Memphis Mom Co is announcing our plan for November: an entire month long campaign of THANKFULNESS. We're shifting our minds and hearts this month -- and we want (really want!) your family to participate, too!
HOW IT'S GOING TO WORK
First, every day on Instagram, we'll be sharing videos from our writing contributors something they are thankful for. We'll also be posting pictures, graphics and quotes to encourage each other. Be sure you're following us on Instagram -- and check in daily!
Second, we'll continue to publish blog posts chock full of ideas to make you focus on your families -- from easy crockpot recipes to Thanksgiving crafts, from date night ideas to resources of (safe) things to do with your kids! Make sure you're following us on Facebook as well!
KICKING OFF 30 DAYS OF THANKFULNESS :
THANKFUL FOR EACH DAY
First, we want to set the tone in our home. This is why we're going to begin by suggesting some of these ideas to kick off November:
- Purchase "30 Days of Giving Thanks" deck of cards from Crew & Co.
This amazing company is locally owned right here in Memphis. The deck of cards is a practical tool to bring families together at the end of the day (or maybe the start at breakfast!). Each card has a space to write something you are thankful for.
images courtesy of Crew & Co. - Create a laundry list of Thanks
String up some twine and get some cute little clothespins. Hang a note, notecard, or drawing showing what you are thankful for. If you have littles, this would be the perfect daily activity. If you are a family who does a priority time with older kids, incorporate a notecard they need to fill out reflecting on what they're thankful for. - Start a Thankful for You plate
The concept is simple. Bake (or buy) something yummy and deliver it to a friend, neighbor, co worker, or family member. Write a note telling them you are thankful for them and their friendship. Good Southerners will want to return the plate to you. The caveat? You DO NOT want your plate back. Whoever you chose will be encouraged to keep the plate moving and pass it on to someone else, with their own note of thankfulness. Want to make it really special? Purchase a plate painting kit from Paint-A-Piece and have a fun family craft time!
You can find plates similar to this one at Target, off Amazon, or create your own custom plate at Paint-A-Piece!
THANKFUL FOR TIME
If quarantine taught us anything, it's that we suddenly had the gift of time. Don't let 're-entering" the world and workplace erase the time we were given. Be sure to intentionally carve out family time or self-care time. Go on kid dates, spouse dates, and friend dates!
WE WANT TO SEE HOW YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR TIME
Sponsored by Shoott Photography, we're excited to offer a "Thankful for Family Time" PHOTO CONTEST! Winning family will receive a FREE family photography session -- the perfect way to celebrate time together.
How to Enter:
Take pictures of you & your family doing things together -- like riding bikes, painting, heading off to school, doing virtual school, playing in a soccer game. Or maybe you're traveling for Thanksgiving, visiting a special museum or the zoo. Maybe you're thankful for bedtime and baby snuggles. Whatever it is --- snap a picture and either email it to info@memphismomcollective.com with the subject line marked "November photo contest" OR post it to your own personal instagram page and TAG US (@memphismomco). Either way will enter you into the contest! We'll upload the photos to a Facebook album and the picture with the most "loves" (hearts) will win the photo session. We'll be posting more reminders on social media all month long, so don't worry, you have 30 days to enter! You can enter no more than 3 photos per family.
THANKFUL FOR OTHERS
- Write handwritten letters of Thankfulness
Gather your kids and your favorite pen for a letter writing party. Have each family member come up with 1 person (young or old!) that needs to be told how much they are loved and appreciated. Don't have someone to write to? Check out this Instagram page that connects people together as pen pals with people living in nursing homes. - Create road signs!
We all know teachers, community helpers (police, fire, EMT), nurses & doctors, and all those essential workers are amazing. Have a family day and create road signs to say "thank you!"
- Celebrate World Kindness Day -- November 13, 2020
Local company, Project Kind, employs young adults on the spectrum. And their whole company mantra? BE KIND. Project Kind sells custom made (and really beautiful!) bracelets, keychains, notecards, clothing, and more. Celebrate National Kindness Day by purchasing something from Project Kind and having it shipped right to someone you're thankful for!
Each product you purchase comes with a handwritten card by the person who made it! - Send a Card
Rebel Lettering is a company that has created a set of blank "just because cards." Combining beautiful photography with inspirational sayings, these cards are easy to grab and send off a message to someone who needs it. (add a coffee gift card for spreading that extra love)
You can find these card sets at local work & play studio, TransforMama
MMC IS THANKFUL FOR YOU & YOUR SUPPORT
We'd be remiss if we didn't tell you how much WE are thankful for YOU -- which is why we have a slew of GIVEAWAYS planned all month long over on Instagram and Facebook! Be sure you're following both pages for chances to WIN many prizes, like the T-shirt shown below! And of course, a huge thanks to our giveaway sponsors (combined value of prizes is over $150). You'll be hearing more about them all month long, too.
