Here are some strategies to help families foster gratitude.

Family gratitude time.  Create a regular family gratitude ritual where everyone shares something they are grateful for. This can be done at meals or bedtime. Volunteer together. Get involved in community service or volunteer activities as a family. This can help children see the value of giving back and being grateful for their resources and opportunities.

Limit materialism. Encourage children to focus on experiences, relationships, and personal growth rather than material possessions. Discuss the transient nature of material items and the lasting value of experiences.

Set expectations for gratitude. Make gratitude an expectation in your household. Encourage children to show gratitude when receiving gifts, help, or acts of kindness.

Encourage thank-you notes. Encourage children to write thank-you notes when they receive gifts or assistance. This not only teaches gratitude but also writing skills.

Create a gratitude jar. Have children and teenagers create a gratitude jar where they can place notes about things they are thankful for throughout the year. Read the notes together as a family at the end of the year.