Compliment Jar Family Game Night

Small strips of paper (cut up printer paper works great)

Pens, pencils, or crayons

A jar, bowl, or container

Stickers for decorating the jar (optional)

Give each family member strips of paper and something to write with.

Explain the activity: "We're each going to write something nice about every person in our family!"

Help younger children brainstorm: "What do you love about your brother? What is mommy good at?"

Write one compliment per strip. For non-writers, they can dictate while you write.

Fold all the slips and drop them into the jar.

Take turns pulling a slip and reading the compliment out loud.

Try to guess who wrote it, then reveal. Celebrate every kind word.

Model specific compliments rather than generic ones. "You're really brave when you try new foods" hits harder than "You're nice."

If a child writes something silly ("I like daddy's farts"), laugh and accept it. The spirit of saying something about someone else is what matters.

Keep the jar out and add compliments throughout the week. Read them together at family dinner on Sundays.

This is a wonderful Thanksgiving or holiday tradition that can grow year after year.