I don’t know about your house but THE toy catalogue has entered the building here. My son actually slept with his last night and seems to be unable to focus on anything but the seven million things he thinks Santa is bringing him. There is a huge amount of “I want” and “I’m getting” being thrown around here. 

• Role play is a great way to teach your children good manners and the art of saying thank you. Having a make-believe tea party? Playing shop? Always use the word thank you and manners when you are playing. It will normalise that behaviour for your child.
• At night time, just before bed, ask your child about the good things that happened on that day. If they say “nothing” highlight the simple things such as the tasty dinner they had, the warm bubble bath or reading their favourite book. Tell them that not every child in the world has those things and they are really lucky. Having this as part of the nightly routine will encourage your child to notice and reflect on the good things they have in their daily lives.
• Instead of focusing on gifts and things FOR your child, highlight the times that they get to GIVE things to others. Teaching the joy of giving from a young age is a really great way to help your children appreciate when other people do the same for them. Welcome them to play a part in the choosing, wrapping and giving elements.
• Lead by example. It’s easy to forget to say thank you when your other half gives you a cup of tea or the postman hands you your parcel. Children do as they see so don’t forget to say thank you as often as possible.
• Do not give them everything they ask for. There will never be a novelty or appreciation for gifts if they come to be expected.
• Show them the value of time and work in simple ways. For example, you can have a cookie if you tidy up your toys. You can go to the playground if you help Mammy pick up these clothes. You can them emphasise how great it is to get the reward and the treat after their efforts. You can also thank them for their help so it’s a double whammy here. 
• Let your child pick out a “gratitude rock” on the beach. They can keep it in their bedroom and every time they hold it they have to think about something they are thankful for.
• Encourage thank you notes. If their teacher gives them some extra help, if their friends buy them birthday presents or if someone is just kind or helpful in some way sit down and write a thank you note together. It will encourage them to think about how nice it was for someone to do that thing for them and they might just want to pay it forward.
• Every now and then suggest doing something nice for someone else – just because. It could be helping Nana with her garden or picking up some rubbish in the supermarket car park. It reinforces the idea that doing nice things for people doesn’t have to be for any particular reason.
• Populate your children’s bookshelves with some books that focus on being thankful. There are so many to choose from and repetition is really powerful.