A Sweet Way to Guarantee Your Kid Has an Attitude of Gratitude

Inside: Adults aren’t the only ones who lose sight of what’s important during the holidays. This printable will give your kid an attitude of gratitude at Christmas.

This week, I finally buckled under the crushing weight of my neverending to-do list this holiday season. To hit the reset button, I crawled into bed to sneak a short nap but instead ended up staring at the wall.

And in those quiet moments, I found myself reflecting on the true spirit of the holiday season.

Being present with your loved ones. Gorging yourself on baked goods. Uncle Larry volunteering to set up the kids’ new slot car race track and then hogging it to himself all Christmas Day.

So I went searching for tips on how to stay centered during the holiday season. And in one random article, I stumbled across a dose of pure brilliance: “Make this task your universe.”

Ever since, my brain has had that one line on tumble dry, low heat.

Bonus: As a bonus for joining my weekly newsletter, get this free printable and fill it out with your child to help them focus on what’s important this holiday season.

Your Kids Are Not Immune

Adults aren’t the only ones who lose sight of what’s really important during the holiday season.

Through no fault of her own, my oldest child inevitably gets caught up in the whirlwind of Mommy’s holiday to-do list and accompanying stress.

We spend a month (or more) getting ready for Christmas, and then on Christmas morning it’s rampant chaos with wrapping paper flying and towers of empty cardboard boxes piled higher than the Christmas tree.

And that one present? The one you were so looking forward to your child opening so you could see the look on their face? Because you knew they’d just love it?

In the moment, they were so overwhelmed with the flurry of presents that they could barely process what the present was, let alone give you that thousand-watt smile of pure joy you’d pictured in your head.

Instead, the look on their face was a bit…zombie-like.

Related: 10 Unique Stocking Stuffers for Girls That Will Delight Your Kids {Printable}

A Free Printable for Teaching Kids Gratitude

We really did try to contain the Beast of Wretched Excess this year and get our daughter just a few presents, but she’s still going to have too much to open.

So how do we help our kids slow down during the holidays? How do we instill an attitude of gratitude?

How can our kids make each holiday experience their universe?

Here’s a free printable to help your child focus on what’s important this Christmas. Think of it as a special holiday edition of a gratitude journal for kids.

First, an interview about their favorite holiday experiences. Then a list to keep track of their gifts, who they’re from, and whether they thanked the person yet. The final page has a spot for including a Christmas photo (check out the tips here), your child’s name and the year, and where you spent Christmas Day.

This mini-gratitude journal is perfect for teaching kids to be grateful this holiday season. Even if Uncle Larry is hogging all the fun.

Related: The Most Meaningful Gifts for Kids Who Have Everything

Get Your Free Printable

1. Get the interview. You’ll get the printable, plus join my weekly newsletter! Just click here to get it and subscribe.
2. Print. Any paper will do the trick, but card stock^† would be ideal.
3. Interview your child to fill out the first and last pages, or have your child fill them out on their own. The list of gifts is on the second page, so feel free to print more than one of those if you need to.
4. Put the pages in a binder or file them away. Then after a few years, you’ll have a collection of these heartwarming snapshots to look back on.

^† This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Your Turn

What tips do you have for teaching gratitude during the holiday season? Share in a comment below!