What’s on Your November To-Do List?

November to-do list . . . 

The countdown is on. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner? Are you ready? It’s time to kick things off with another list, but this one is a little bit different. I’ve come up with 10 ways to show gratitude and give thanks this month. It’s exactly the kind of thing you’ll want to add to your November to-do list. I’m so excited to celebrate this season of thanks and giving.

Donate Underclothes + Cold Weather Gear

I recently had the opportunity to talk to the head of a local women’s shelter and asked what items were most coveted, most needed and most helpful. Hands down, she said the shelter was ALWAYS in need of underclothes. I’m talking new + packaged underwear (womens, mens, kids/toddlers), new + packaged socks and gently used or new bras. I hate to admit it, but I never thought about this. It’s such a simple thing to donate.

Growing kids? Now is the perfect time to donate those outgrown coats, hats and gloves. These items are among the first to go when the temperatures drop.

Do a Random Act of Service

I witnessed the sweetest act of service last week. A local florist handed out free flowers to people passing by. The smiles were instant. Even though I wasn’t a direct recipient, I also couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest impact.

Donate Pantry Staples

It seems like every November there’s some sort of canned food drive. Why not donate a few other things, too? Most food banks accept many non-perishable goods. This Taste of Home article details 20 things your food bank needs the most. (Yep, this was another ah-ha moment.) Next time I’m at the grocery store, I plan to pick up an extra package of things we already buy: granola bars, crackers, apple sauce + peanut butter.

Make Dinner for a Neighbor

I’m a firm believer that food is the BEST WAY to make new friends. The meal doesn’t need to be fancy or completely homemade. Heck, you can pick up a few pre-made salads + a loaf of artisan bread from your local grocer. I’m all for semi-homemade. Just make sure you include a handwritten card with your name and phone number. You never know when they might need to borrow a cup of sugar.

Shop Local or Secondhand

Supporting your local community is a great way to give back during the holiday season. I love picking up specialty gifts (usually food items!) from Utah-based companies. It’s so fun to share the best of your state, city or neighborhood with friends and family during the holiday season.

Another way to make your shopping count is to source things from thrift/consignment stores or resell sites. Guys, it’s amazing what you can find and how much of a discount you can get. I generally stick to purchasing new/unused items from sites like Poshmark or eBay (personal preference), but you can find just about anything at a fraction of the cost. It’s both sustainable and money-smart to buy secondhand.

Psst! You can get $10 toward your first POSHMARK purchase with code SHOPWITHAUBRY when you sign up via app.

Send Daily ‘Thank You’ Texts

I’m a big fan of sending thank you notes, but lately it feels easier said than done. I’m making it a goal to send daily texts with short + thoughtful words of thanks. This simple gratitude practice takes mere minutes. Just think of how good they’ll feel when they read it.

Start Each Day with Something for YOU

It’s so important to show yourself a little bit of love this month, too. YOU DESERVE IT! I’ve made it a goal to start each day with something just for me. This usually means waking up reaal early to hit the gym, take a long shower and actually get dressed. Hashtag mom life. I’ve noticed that doing something just for me before I have to worry about everything + everyone else has done wonders for my emotional health.

Buy a Stranger’s Meal

Have you ever pulled up to the drive-thru window to learn that the person before you paid for your meal? Better yet, have you ever bought a stranger’s meal yourself?  It’s such a fun + exciting feeling. I highly recommend it. Pay for car behind you at Taco Bell. I 100% guarantee you’ll make their day.

Volunteer in Your Community

During the holiday months, there are so many different places to volunteer your time. This article on Today.com shares 20 easy ways to volunteer. Think places like the food banks + soup kitchens, animal hospitals, homeless shelters and schools. You can also volunteer to help serve a Thanksgiving meal to those in need. Ask your local shelter, church congregations and shelters if they are in need of volunteers. Organizations like Meals on Wheels are a great option, too. They have branches across the US and need drivers to deliver food locally throughout the holiday season. 

Say Thank You

This should be a given, but I’m going to list it anyway. I challenge you to say thank you all day, every day even if it feels unnecessary. Yes, it’s the foundation for having good manners, but I’ve recently learned that verbalizing it helps your mind process gratitude in a different way. This Harvard Health article explains that expressing gratitude increases happiness. I couldn’t agree more.