40 Underrated Gifts to Be Thankful For

The following people and things do not make the Thanksgiving list as readily as parents, friends, food, and clothing; but they deserve our gratitude just as much for the many ways in which they enhance our lives. When we take the time to appreciate their purpose, we will realize what precious gifts they are.

We are grateful to the people quoted here for making us notice and reflect on some of the underrated gifts. Now it is our turn to whisper our first (or another) meaningful “thank you” for each one. Feel free to extend the list.

I always write authors after I read their books… My mother always taught us to write thank you notes, and if an author puts themselves out there, they like to hear that their book connected with someone. - Maria Semple

2. Brakes

I’m referring to the mechanical systems that literally stop you from plummeting or crashing to your death every single day. Elevators, bicycles, roller blades . . . are all equipped with brakes, and you should be happy about it. - Mélanie Berliet

3. Candles

Thank you, Lord, for . . . candles when we have no light. – Betty Purser Patten

4. Chores

I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home. – Nancie J. Carmody

5. Closure

Have gratitude for the things you're discarding. By giving gratitude, you're giving closure to the relationship with that object. - Marie Kondo

6. Diversity

The world would be a boring place without diversity. - Amy Morin

7. Elbows

Elbows, because without them our arms wouldn’t bend and macaroni would be a less fun shape. – Amelia Diamond

Firemen, EMTs, people that . . . show us there is still good in the world. – Gretchen Riker

What would a good Thanksgiving Holiday be like with the stench of rotting, maggot-infested garbage? . . . Like I said, I’m thankful for garbage collectors. – Ken Wert

10. Great Genes

I have great genes. Thank you to my mom and dad for that one. – Gloria Estafan

11. Haters

Haters gonna hate. Critics just mean you are doing something worth criticizing. It means you are doing something. . . So give a little thanks to those naysayers. – Susie Moore

12. Heartache

I'm thankful for every heartache that made me stronger than I knew I could be. – Lisa Mischelle Wood

13. Heartbeat

The most important blessing to count is your heart beat. - yel

14. Imagination

Everything in the world from the screen you are looking at right now, all the way up to the aeroplanes in the sky were born in the imagination. – Truth Theory

So many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean. - Michelle Obama

16. Leftovers

Thank you, Lord, . . . for day old bread and remade stew; for all these things, Lord, we thank you. – Betty Purser Patten

17. Losses

When you recognize that you will thrive not in spite of your losses . . . but because of them . . . you are grateful for them. – Cheryl Strayed

18. Miracles

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. - Psalm 136: 4 NLT

19. Mistakes

What a waste my life would be without all the beautiful mistakes I've made. – Alice Bag

20. Pain

Many things might have caused pain this year. The good thing is that we would not have felt them if we weren't alive. - Assegid Habtewold

Next time you are taking a relaxing bath, using water to brush your teeth or gassing up your car, keep in mind there are plumbers and fitters of all types making these things possible. - Maggie Wirtanen

22. Punctuation

Do you know how hard it would be for us to exchange information and ideas efficiently without agreed upon methods of punctuating sentences? . . . just be grateful you know about grammar and stuff okay! - Mélanie Berliet

23. Readers

I’m thankful for my readers. Specifically, I’m extremely proud of the fact that my community is easily made up of the coolest group of people online . . . You add a ton of value to my life, and hopefully I do the same for yours. – Daddy Doyin

24. Renewal

I’m grateful that I was able to pull myself up from the wreckage of divorce . . . creating something new and better. . . If divorce affords us anything it’s the chance to rewind, reflect, and renew. – Kyle Bradford

25. Revelation

Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. - Matthew 11:25 NLT

26. Scent of Rain

Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain. - Joseph B. Wirthlin

27. Shadows

Let us give thanks for our shadows for they are there in the first place because of the presence of light. - Kamand Kojouri

28. Shady Trees

And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow . . . shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. - Jonah 4:6 NLT

29. Singleness

Think of how much independence you have. - Lindsay Holmes

30. Sleet and Snow

The wintry winds they need to blow, we need sleet, and we need snow; there is no other way that spring could all its joy and gladness bring. – Wesley Yonts

As governor, when I visited our troops in Kuwait and Iraq, I served them Thanksgiving dinner. It was a small gesture compared to their sacrifice. - Jennifer Grantholm

32. Struggle

I am thankful for my struggle because without it, I wouldn't have stumbled upon my strength. – Alexander Elle

33. Stubbed Toe

Every once in a while God allows you to stub your toe as a kind reminder to be grateful for the miraculous body attached to it. – Richelle E. Goodrich

34. Touch

The smallest act of touch can . . . communicate love and acceptance. . . Don’t underestimate the power of your touch. – Gary Smalley and John Trent

35. Tough Times

If you look hard enough, you will find that even tough times offer pearls worthy of gratitude. – Richelle E. Goodrich

36. Truth

It keeps the world balanced and honest. – Gretchen Riker

37. Ups and Downs

Thank you for life, and all the little ups and downs that make it worth living. - Travis Barker

38. Waiting

Consider waiting a mental ping to take a few meditative breaths. . . and you’ll (hopefully) start to find it calming versus frustrating. Now I’m happy when there are two people in front of me at the bank! Inhale, exhale, my friend. – Susie Moore

39. YouTube

YouTube, for whenever you need to troubleshoot your car or computer, and especially when you need a laugh. – Daniel Dowling

40. Zippers

Remember having to button up your Levi jeans? I LOVE zippers! – Ken Wert