Real-life examples of creating a gratitude jar that actually stick

Everyday home-based examples of creating a gratitude jar

Let’s start where most people actually use this practice: at home, in the middle of real life, with dishes in the sink and notifications going off.

One of the best examples of creating a gratitude jar at home comes from a simple evening ritual. A couple in their 30s keeps a large glass jar on their kitchen counter with a stack of cut-up index cards and a pen. After dinner, before phones come back out, they each write one thing they’re grateful for from that day. It can be tiny: “The coffee was hot this morning,” or “The dog finally learned ‘stay.’” They read a few old notes every Sunday night. This example of a gratitude jar works because it’s tied to something that already happens every day: eating dinner.

Another one of the best examples comes from a single parent who keeps a gratitude jar on a bookshelf near the front door. Every time something goes right in a chaotic day—making the train, getting a kind text, the kids going to bed on time—they quickly jot it down before they forget. They don’t even date the notes. On rough days, they grab a handful and read them like reminders that not every day is this hard.

These real examples show a pattern: the jar lives where life happens, not hidden in a closet. The easier it is to see and reach, the more likely you are to use it.

Family and kids: playful examples of creating a gratitude jar together

If you have kids, you probably want examples of creating a gratitude jar that don’t feel like homework. Think playful, not perfect.

One family uses what they call the “Good Stuff Jar.” Every Friday night, before movie time, each person adds at least one note. The notes can be drawings for younger kids—stick figures, hearts, or a doodle of the family dog. Older kids write things like, “I got an A on my science quiz,” or “Grandma called me today.” This is one of the best examples of turning a gratitude jar into a weekly family anchor.

Another example of a kid-friendly gratitude jar: a teacher in a 3rd-grade classroom keeps a plastic jar on her desk labeled “Today I Noticed…” Students can add notes any time during the day. Examples include, “Ethan helped me with math,” or “The classroom plants are growing.” On Fridays, she reads a few aloud. This not only encourages gratitude but also prosocial behavior, something that child development research consistently links with better well-being and classroom climate. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley regularly shares research summaries on how gratitude practices can support kids’ emotional health (see: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/).

A more modern twist: some families use a hybrid approach. They still have a physical jar, but once a month they take a photo of their favorite notes and save them in a shared family album. This creates a digital “backup” of their gratitude memories and lets family members who live far away see some of the highlights.

Work and team-based examples of creating a gratitude jar

Workplaces are finally catching on that burnout is not just about workload; it’s also about whether people feel seen and appreciated. That’s where some of the best examples of creating a gratitude jar at work come in.

One small marketing team keeps a clear jar in their break area labeled “Wins & Thank-Yous.” Team members drop in notes like, “Thanks, Jordan, for staying late to troubleshoot the client deck,” or “We finally fixed the website bug!” During monthly team meetings, they read a random handful. This example of a gratitude jar doubles as a recognition system—simple, low-tech, and surprisingly powerful.

Another example comes from a remote-first company that doesn’t have a shared office. They created a virtual gratitude jar using a shared document and a dedicated chat channel. The “jar” is a running list of specific thank-yous and small wins. Once a quarter, the manager reads some highlights during an all-hands call. While it’s not a literal jar, it’s inspired by the same idea and shows how flexible the concept can be in 2024–2025 as remote and hybrid work remain common.

Occupational health research suggests that feeling valued at work is linked to lower stress and better mental health outcomes. The CDC’s resources on workplace health promotion highlight the importance of social support and positive culture in reducing burnout (see: https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/). A gratitude jar is a small, concrete way to build that culture.

Relationship-focused examples of creating a gratitude jar

If you’re looking for examples of creating a gratitude jar that support relationships—romantic, friendships, or even roommates—there are some beautifully simple ideas.

One couple keeps a “Love Notes & Gratitude” jar on their nightstand. Every Sunday, they each write one note about something they appreciated about the other that week: “You made me tea when I was exhausted,” or “You handled that awkward family call so gracefully.” When they hit a rough patch, they read through past notes together. This example of a gratitude jar works like a relationship buffer, reminding them of the good when conflict is loud.

Friends can use a shared jar too. Two roommates in their 20s keep a jar in the living room and drop in notes whenever the other does something kind or funny. Examples include, “Thanks for listening to my rant at midnight,” or “You made the best grilled cheese.” At the end of the year, they read them all on New Year’s Eve.

These real examples of creating a gratitude jar show how the practice can quietly shift the tone of a relationship from “What’s wrong?” to “What’s working?” without forcing fake positivity.

Seasonal and life-transition examples of creating a gratitude jar

Some of the most powerful examples of creating a gratitude jar come during big life transitions—times when your brain is extra good at focusing on what’s scary or uncertain.

One new college student started a “First Year Gratitude Jar” when they moved into their dorm. Every time something made campus feel a little bit more like home—a good conversation, a professor who learned their name, finding a quiet study spot—they wrote it down. By the end of the first semester, the jar was full, and rereading the notes helped them see how far they’d come.

Another real example: a family going through a cross-country move kept a “New Chapter Jar.” Each family member wrote one thing about the new place that didn’t totally suck—“There’s a park down the street,” “The new grocery store has better snacks,” “My new coworker is really kind.” This didn’t erase the grief of leaving their old home, but it balanced the narrative.

During the pandemic, many people turned to gratitude practices to cope with uncertainty and anxiety. A 2021 article from Harvard Health Publishing noted that gratitude exercises, including writing down things you’re thankful for, are associated with improved mood and sleep quality compared with focusing on hassles or neutral events (see: https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier). In 2024–2025, that trend has stuck around, with more people integrating these examples of gratitude jars into daily routines as a mental health support tool rather than a trendy challenge.

Healing and mental health–supportive examples of creating a gratitude jar

To be clear, a gratitude jar is not a replacement for therapy, medication, or professional help. But there are meaningful examples of creating a gratitude jar alongside mental health care as a gentle support.

One person dealing with depression created a “Tiny Glimmers Jar.” Their rule: nothing big, nothing pressure-filled. Just the smallest things that didn’t feel awful. “The sun hit my face for two minutes.” “The barista smiled at me.” “I got out of bed before noon.” Over time, the jar became proof that even on heavy days, something small still flickered.

Another example of a gratitude jar used in healing: someone processing grief kept a “Memories & Gratitude” jar about their late parent. They wrote down specific memories they were grateful for—“You taught me how to ride a bike,” “You never missed a school play,” “You made the best pancakes.” This jar wasn’t about ignoring the pain; it was about honoring the love that existed alongside it.

Mental health organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) emphasize that coping strategies such as journaling, social support, and positive activities can help manage stress and mood, especially when combined with professional care (see: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/coping-with-traumatic-events). A gratitude jar is one small, structured way to practice noticing what still feels meaningful.

Simple step-by-step example of setting up your own gratitude jar

After hearing all these real examples of creating a gratitude jar, it helps to see one clear, simple way to start. Here’s a walk-through you can adapt.

Picture this: You grab a clean jar, mug, or box—whatever you have. No need to buy anything. You place it somewhere you actually see every day: next to your coffee maker, on your desk, or on your nightstand.

You cut or tear up some paper—old envelopes, sticky notes, index cards. You leave a pen right next to the jar so you never have to go hunting for one. That’s your setup.

Then you choose your rhythm. Maybe you:

• Add one note every night before bed.
• Add a note only when something stands out.
• Add three notes every Sunday night as a weekly reflection.

Your notes don’t have to sound poetic. Real examples include lines like:

• “The bus driver waited for me.”
• “My back hurt less today.”
• “I laughed at a dumb meme.”

Once a month—or whenever you’re feeling low—you sit down and read a handful. That’s the full loop: notice, write, collect, revisit.

This is one of the best examples of creating a gratitude jar because it’s realistic. No fancy supplies, no pressure to perform, just a tiny, repeatable act.

2024–2025 trends in gratitude jar practices

In 2024–2025, examples of creating a gratitude jar are evolving alongside technology and changing lifestyles, but the heart of the practice is the same: slow down and notice what’s good.

Some people now mix analog and digital. They keep a physical jar at home but also use a notes app or habit-tracking app during the day, then transfer highlights into the jar at night. Others are using shared online documents or group chats as “virtual jars” with friends or coworkers in different cities.

Wellness culture has also shifted a bit. There’s more awareness of “toxic positivity,” and people are more open about the fact that gratitude practices don’t mean pretending everything is fine. The best examples of creating a gratitude jar in this era are honest and grounded: they allow space for, “Today was hard, but I’m glad for…” instead of forcing a smile.

Researchers and clinicians continue to explore gratitude as one piece of mental well-being. Organizations like Mayo Clinic discuss how gratitude practices may support better sleep, improved mood, and stronger relationships when used consistently and realistically (see: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/art-20046411). A jar is simply a low-tech, visible way to keep that habit going.

Tips for making these examples of creating a gratitude jar work for you

Looking across all these real examples of creating a gratitude jar, a few patterns show up again and again:

• The jar lives where you’ll actually see it.
• The practice is tied to something you already do (dinner, bedtime, weekly meetings).
• The notes are specific and small, not forced or grand.
• There’s a moment to revisit the notes—monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

If you try to copy the best examples exactly, you might get stuck. Instead, treat them as a menu. Maybe you:

• Borrow the “Good Stuff Jar” idea for your family but make it Saturday breakfast instead of Friday night.
• Steal the “Wins & Thank-Yous” concept for your work team, even if your “jar” is really a shared document.
• Adapt the “Tiny Glimmers Jar” if you’re going through a rough patch and big gratitude feels fake.

The point isn’t to build a perfect gratitude jar; it’s to build one you’ll actually use.

FAQ: Examples of creating a gratitude jar

What are some simple examples of a gratitude jar for beginners?
Simple examples include keeping a jar on your nightstand and adding one note before bed, putting a jar by your coffee maker and writing a line while your coffee brews, or using a small box on your desk and adding a note after each workday about one thing that went well.

Can you give an example of what to write in a gratitude jar on a bad day?
On bad days, an example of a realistic note might be, “I made it through today,” “My friend texted to check on me,” or “I had five minutes of quiet in the car.” The best examples are honest and specific, not forced.

What are some examples of creating a gratitude jar with kids?
Examples include a family “Good Stuff Jar” you fill once a week, a classroom jar where students write down kind things they noticed, or a bedtime jar where kids draw pictures of something they liked that day instead of writing words.

How often should I add notes? Do the best examples use daily entries?
Many real examples of creating a gratitude jar use daily notes, but plenty of people do it weekly or “whenever something stands out.” The best examples fit the person’s life. A weekly ritual is better than a daily habit you abandon after three days.

Can a digital version still count as a gratitude jar?
Yes. While a physical jar is more tactile, many modern examples include shared documents, group chats, or notes apps that act like a virtual jar. You can still print or copy your favorite entries into a physical jar later if you’d like that visual reminder.