Here are some ideas you can draw from to bring gratitude into your party. Of course feel free to dream up your own ideas for your party as well! It could be anything you can imagine – and we look forward most to your grateful ideas.
Gratitude parties always have the same three components:
1. hosts do something to express gratitude for the guests (sets the tone)
2. guests get some kind of opportunity to express gratitude during the party (they make something, share something, etc)
3. hosts and guests collaborate on some kind of simple reach out to the outside world post party
Wish on this. Set up a small table with a bowl full of marbles and a large empty vase. Your guests are invited to take a marble (or two! or three!) in the palm of their hand and reflect on exactly what they are grateful for at this moment in time. Wished-on marbles then are placed gently into the empty vase where they remain as a visual reminder of the group’s collective gratitude.
Write this way. Set up a small table complete with stamps, nice writing pens and simple, unadorned stationery. Simple signs invite your guests to take a moment to write a brief thank you to someone in their life who matters. Also provided as a prompt, the names and addresses of local changemakers who would benefit from heartfelt encouragement. Guests may take their notes to mail on their own or leave them for the host to deliver.
Wall of Thanks. Place a large sheet of banner paper along an open wall at eye level. A writing station set up nearby provides markers, pens and crayons. Guests are invited to write whatever they are grateful for on the banner paper as a public expression of gratitude.
Thankfulfor Mugshots
1. Print out the attached Thankfulfor banner template (make as many copies as you need)
2. Give one to each guest to write down something they are thankful for
3. Take a picture of each person holding their banner
4. During the event, display the banners on a wall or table so everyone can see them
5. Send the photos & stories to us at email hidden; JavaScript is required and we’ll promote your event in our blog (make sure you have everyone’s permission)
(Check out these great examples of Mugshots in action.)
Make and take hope notes. Set up a small table with index cards, markers and a written guide of affirmations guests can use to create their own personal hope notes. These hope notes are then distributed anonymously by the guests after the event as a way to extend our thanks to the community at large.
Create a confessional. This station contains a table and two chairs where guests can pull one another aside for a moment of personal gratitude. A simple guide at the table instructs guests to take turns expressing their gratitude for one another. Only one rule: while one person thanks, the other person listens without interruption.
Call out moment. Organizers prompt attendees to think of someone they want to thank and then everyone with a cell phone calls someone special in their life to thank them right then on the phone or in a message.
Spotlight on ChangeMakers. A local social entrepreneur or organization has a chance to share some of their work. They can have a few minutes to address the whole group, have a table to provide materials, and chat with people about their work. You can use the event to thank people doing great things in your community too.
Join the Public Stream of Thanks at Thankfulfor.com
1. Have one or more computers at your party set to http://thankfulfor.com/musings – people can scroll through and see what the world is thankfulfor
2. Allow people to sign up for their own account and enter what they are thankfulfor
3. View each others thanks as they appear in the Public Stream of Thanks
Hope Note Drop. Participants create notes at the party based on gratitude prompts to be distributed out and about in their town/city following the event
i’m glad you’re here. thank you for all you do.
thank you for _____________.
the whole world is grateful for you. thank you for __________________.
thank you for making _____________ a wonderful place to be.
thank you for caring about _______________.
Grateful Poster. Print out this activity poster for the 12 Days of TweetsGiving or use the version for year round gratitude ideas – 12 Days of Epic Thanks.
The I SEE YOU gratitude reach out. Similar to the hope note drop, these are thank you notes created at the party and placed in the hands of service workers and other unseen service providers after the event.
Gratitude rituals.
Party goers hold hands in a circle and everyone states one thing they are grateful for
party goers write notes of secret thanks to people who inspire them to live life to the full
party goers write thank you notes to someone at station ready to mail
Call out party. Everyone brings cellphones and calls through their contacts expressing thanks and gratitude in between call sessions you can have storytelling and snacks.
Foodie potluck/beer enthusiasts/wine mongers/cigar smokers/whatever gathering:
these birds of a feather bring their favorite treasured item for all to enjoy at the gratitude party
ways to give back at these kinds of parties: foodies prepare a meal to deliver, beer lovers brew beer, wine tasters do secret wine drop off for people who couldn’t make it, cigar lovers hold a special roast and commemorate their gratitude heroes
Kid themed parties. Kids bring what crazy kid thing they are grateful for–candy, bubbles, cotton candy, junk food, legos together they make goodie bags to share with friends they are grateful for
Animal fanatics. Host a neighborhood dogwalk in honor of furry friends who make their lives special.
Gratitude book club. Dedicate one night of your bookclub to discuss books you’ll be eternally grateful for. everyone brings a fave, talks about how it impacted them. Party finishes with letter writing to cherished authors.
Drinking games. Every time someone says thank you, you have to take a drink (you can add other words) gratitude pong: like beer pong, only losers have to express gratitude for something about the people they are playing with.
Tweetini
Try this gratitude cocktail recipe from Austin event sponsor Mama Fu’s.
Yazi Vodka, Rum, Gin, Zen Tea, Sweet & Sour, Splash of Coke.
Junior high throwback.
Spin the bottle: you have to express gratitude for the person bottle is pointing to.
Seven minutes of gratitude: you and the person you pick go in the closet and tell each other what you’re thankful for about the other.
Gratitude dare: people ask you questions about what you are grateful in specific areas–you can answer (truth) or take the dare.
Crank call: call up strangers (or loved ones) and say you’re thankful they’re alive.