Five family conversation starters about gratitude and generosity

Last update: November 2026

Have you noticed that good givers are often good receivers, too? Anything we give away, we first received from God. During the holidays, family traditions often present many opportunities to practice gratitude and generosity. This Thanksgiving and Christmas, while your family sits down at the table or gathers around a cozy fire, consider expanding the conversation beyond what you’re each thankful for and the gifts you have exchanged. Use these family conversation starters to connect with your family and explore how gratitude and generosity work together.

Create space for conversation

Maybe your family already has traditions that include expressing gratitude or being generous in creative ways. If not, this may be a good year to start! Whether you gather for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or both, be clear about your desire to talk more deeply about gratitude and generosity.

Start the conversation

Set the tone by sharing honestly yourself and invite everyone to do the same. Ask follow-up questions and remain open to differences and disagreements. Even where differences exist, you may be able to find common ground in your experiences, motivations, or goals.

“What are you thankful for?” is not a bad place to start. If you want some additional questions or alternatives, consider asking:

• Share about a time you received something you didn’t deserve. How did it make you feel?
• What is the most meaningful gift you have received, tangible or intangible? What made it special?
• Who is the most generous person you know? What makes them that way?
• If you could pick one problem in the world to solve, what would it be? Do you know of anyone who is also working to solve this problem?
• What strength, gift, or talent do you have that you could share with others? Do you have ideas for how to share that gift in the next week or month?

Gratitude and generosity, like most core values, are often caught rather than taught.

What is next?

You may find topics you want to pursue further with your family. Do you have more shared interests than you realized? Is there a nonprofit you all could support this year? Is there a volunteer event happening soon that aligns with your skills?

If your family wants to go further, our Family Giving Plan can help you decide where, how, and why you want to give.