Gratitude Bag Project

This week I did a really fun project with my ninth grade faith formation class called Gratitude Bags. Oprah came up with the original idea and it has since been used as a Christmas gift idea to friends and loved ones! The original idea uses boxes, but due to not having boxes to use I improvised and used cheap but cute Christmas bags from the dollar store. For my ninth grade class I added a Secret Santa twist to the project and had the students draw names of their classmates which made it even more fun for the kids! In each Gratitude Bag there are three cards, which I will specify below, and a small gift of no more than $3-5. Each card was made by the students for the person they selected. Here are what the cards included

1. What I love about you! In the first card, the students wrote down what they love about the person. This gives students an opportunity to let their friends know that they are unique and valued by them and God!

2. Thank you for... In the second card the students thanked the person for something that they have done for them or someone else.

3. My holiday wish for you! In the third card the students wrote what they wish for the person during this Christmas season! Obviously, nothing bad.

I loved doing this project with the kids. Gratitude is something we all should practice because it brings us closer to God and brings us closer to those around us! Being grateful for what and who we have been blessed with in our lives allows us to see how God has worked in our lives and how fortunate we are. When we realize how fortunate we are to have the blessings that we do, it becomes easier for us to love and serve those who aren't as fortunate as we are.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!