With a blink of an eye, November is here! Sheesh! Where’d our summer go? It feels like we were all dancing to Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti” just yesterday.

Pero, believe it or not, we’re already in the last stretch of 2022 — also known as the holiday season. Besides the festivities, many of us take these last two months of the year to slow down, reflect, and rejuvenate our souls for the following year. 

One of the ways to reflect is by practicing gratitude. 

Here are five ways to say thank you during this holiday season. 

Invite a loved one on a friendly date

More often than not, your friends and family have a busy schedule just like yours. So, don’t worry; you’re not the only one who can’t remember the last time you saw them — and that’s okay. It happens. Instead of dwelling on why you didn’t make more time for them during the year, how about inviting them on a special date instead? A simple 2-hour block to get lunch, dinner, or a hot beverage can do the trick!

Zelle some cash as a token of appreciation

Know someone’s out in celebration but can’t make it? A way to say thank you and show appreciation is to digitally transfer a few bucks for a drink. It may seem like a small gesture, but when the person buys the drink, it’ll be in your honor. They’ll for sure appreciate it! Cheers!

Volunteer as a way of gratitude 

As the holidays approach, many organizations need volunteers. For example, one of Los Angeles’ breweries, Boomtown Brewery, calls for volunteers to help put together food bags, especially closer to December. So, if you have a few hours to spare, maybe look into volunteering opportunities. What better way to say “thank you” than to pay gratitude to those in need? 

Babysit a loved one’s child

Though I’m not a mother, I’ve seen my loved ones with babies — and it doesn’t look easy. One way to say thank you this holiday season is to babysit a close one’s child for a day. This is, of course, if you have the time and patience to babysit! 

Dedicate a whole day to yourself

Lastly, although we love to show gratitude to others, we can’t forget about ourselves. Treat yourself! Doesn’t a massage or a hike sound appealing to you? Maybe a day without technology? There’s no right way to do it, either. It all depends on what you’re mindfully into.