On New Year’s Eve of last year I shared a new idea our family was going to do: a Gratitude Jar. The inspiration behind the jar is to fill it with goals, moments not to be forgotten, and blessings (big or small). So often we can get in a rut of focusing on the negative and lose track of those positive moments. With the gratitude jar you and your family can wake up every day focusing on the positive and if something good happens that you want to remember, simply write it down.
How to Make 2015 the Best Year Ever!
Beginning January 1st, write positive things that happen throughout the year on a small piece of paper and place it in the jar. Ideas can be:
- Accomplished Goals
- LOL Moments
- Memories worth treasuring
- and Blessings, big or small
Once December 31st rolls around, open the jar and read all of the amazing things that happened during 2015.
Without a doubt 2014 has been one of our greatest years as a family. We have not only accomplished a lot, but we made a grand effort to focus on the positive moments. We filled our jar all year long and can not wait for New Year’s eve to open it up and bring a flood of memories back to enjoy. Everyone in the family wrote moments, even the little one’s.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a jar, piece of paper and pen! It’s that easy. And a New Year’s Resolution the whole family can be apart of.
You CAN make 2015 your best year yet!
I’ve teamed up with 40 other bloggers on the net to bring you the best ways to make 2015 your year!
1. How to Set and Keep Goals to Make This the Best Year Ever | Jen @ Girl in Garage
2. 15 Ways to Stay Organised at Work During 2015 | Elizabeth Harrin @ A Girl’s Guide to Project Management
3. How Personal Style Will Help You Achieve Goals Faster in 2015 | Cherene Francis @ Aura Image Consulting
4. Completing Those Unfinished Projects in the NEW YEAR | Angela Lerew @ Unexpected Elegance
5. 42 Ways to Practice Perfectly & Become an Expert at Almost Anything | Amy Garro @ 13 Spools
6. Easy Exercises to do on a Cruise Ship | Amanda Woods @ Adventures All Around
7. 10 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier This Year | Dawn @ Reveal Natural Health
8. 31 Days to a More Fabulous You | Julie Bonner @ Mom Fabulous
9. How to Make This the Best Gardening Year Ever | Kendra Spencer @ a Sonoma Garden
10. Make This the Best Monarch Season Ever | Tony Gomez @ Monarch Butterfly Garden
11. 12 Scriptures for Goals and Guidance | Julie @ Loving Christ Ministries
12. How to Build a Starter Emergency Fund in 30 Days or Less | Jackie Beck @ The Debt Myth
13. Family Verse of the Week Challenge for 2015 | Jamie Yonash @ Life is Sweeter By Design
14. Hot Work at Home Jobs for 2015 | Holly Hanna @ The Work at Home Woman
15. A Year of Intention | Hilary Bernstein @ Accidentally Green
16. 2015: Our Best Year Yet | Ashley @ Leaving the Rut
17. Create a Better Life Story | Bronwen Warner @ Tummy Time and Beyond
18. Get Ready to Get MDfit | Tom and Anne @ Eat & Be Fit
19. 5 Free Ways to Learn Something New This Year | Sarah Fuller @ Saving Sarah
20. Healthy Leek Soup | Mirlandra @ Mirlandra’s Kitchen
21. Health Resolutions: Baby Steps to a New You | Ellen Christian @ Confessions of an Overworked Mom
22. 5 Ways Busy Moms Can Get Motivated to Work Out | Diane Nassy @ philZENdia
23. Be Prepared for the New Year | Jennifer Dunham Starr @ Memory Journalists
24. 3 Steps to a Healthier Life in 2015 | Joe Goodwill @Average Joe Cyclist
25. New Year’s Resolution: Cook More Often! | Kim Pawell @ Something New for Dinner
26. I Should What? 28 Ways to be Happier | Karen Young @ Hey Sigmund
27. 9 Ways to Get Healthier In The New Year | Amy Maus @ Home and Farm Sense
28. In 2015 Resolve to Take Control of Your Money | Kristia @ Family Balance Sheet
29. Eucharisteo: A Year of Thanksgiving | Lani Padilla @ Simply Fresh Vintage
30. No More Tears at IEP Meetings: Make This Your Best Year Ever! | Lisa Lightner @ A Day In Our Shoes
31. Learn to Save Money on Groceries | Melissa Buckles @ Everyday Savvy
32. How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution – For Real This Time! | Michelle @ Dishes and Dust Bunnies
33. 52 Weeks to a Better You: Week 1 – Go to Bed Early | Mindi Cherry @ Moms Need to Know
34. Food Street: How a Community Has Joined Forces to Start a Street Farm | Sam Walker @ Bubble ‘N Squeak
35. Organizing Coupons with the Binder Method | Sara Steigerwald @ Sisters Shopping on a Shoe String
36. How to Make This Year the Happiest Yet | Shambray @ Shambray.com
37. A New Year, A New You | Sharon Rowe @ How to Get Organized at Home
38. 5 Ways to Get Paid for Losing Weight This Year | Anna @ Real Ways to Earn Money at Home
39. Tips for Successful Whole30 | Deanna Michaels @ From This Kitchen Table
40. 75 Ways to Be Healthier in 2015 | Maryea Flaherty @ Happy Healthy Mama
41. How to Make 2015 the Best Year Ever! | Jennifer @ My Boys & Their Toys
Happy New Year everyone!
sara says
Love this Idea, sounds great !!!. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Rose says
Thanks for sharing about How to Make the Best Year Ever, love to know about these eve activities . These are so amazing.
Melissa L. says
I love the idea! It sounds like a great way to start the new year!
Amy @Home & Farm Sense says
This is such a great idea!! It was great to colloborate on this collection with you…:)
debra p says
I really love this idea and it reminds us to focus on the positive, which is really life transforming.
Kait says
Love this idea — I just saw a friend post something similar!
Liz Mays says
I have just the jar to do this. It would be a great reminder on those days when we’re feeling a bit low.
Jiahui says
I think it’s great to re-read what everyone wrote in a year! I’ve to try this!!
jeanae says
I really like the idea of a gratitude jar, and giving an easy way for our son to see just how many great things happen throughout the year.
Shambray says
I’ve heard of people doing this and I LOVE this idea! I am going to do this for sure!!!! Thank you for reminding me.
Jennifer H says
So glad I was able to kick off your year in the right direction! Enjoy 🙂
fuller255 says
Absolutely love this idea! What a wonderful way to focus on the positive.
Jennifer H says
Thanks! 🙂
Sam at bubble 'n Squeak says
I love this idea. It would be a lot of fun to reflect on the year’s highlights like this.
YellowTennessee says
What a great idea. I bet you end up reading these and remembering things that you had forgotten.
Jennifer H says
Totally! 🙂 Or it sparked a new conversation about that moment.
Elizabeth says
I like the idea of a jar, but also of pinning them up on a wall or on a blackboard so we can see them all the times. Think I’ll give this a go – great suggestion!
Jennifer H says
Thanks Elizabeth – have fun!
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I’ve heard of this before but have never done it before. Our December was so rough, I’m thinking about doing something similar but instead of a jar, posting them on the wall. We need the reminder on those rough days. 🙂
(visiting from the Frugal Friday link-up)
Katie says
That’s an awesome idea! I have an app I use to try to log daily one thing I’m thankful for.
Ellen Christian says
I love this idea! What a great way to stay positive throughout the year.
Jennifer H says
Absolutely! 🙂
Julie @MomFabulous says
What a great idea! I’m trying to focus in 2015 to be more content and what a better way to help me with that than a gratitude jar. Happy New Year to you!
Jennifer H says
Thanks Julie – you as well! 🙂