“Thanksgiving” marks the start of the holiday season marketed as “the most wonderful time of the year.” And how is that not true? The holidays equate to more time off from work and more time spent hanging out with family and catching up with friends. Plus it’s also the season of giving, and who doesn’t love seeing a loved one’s reaction to the amazing gift we picked out for them, or receiving a wonderful gift that you normally wouldn’t buy for yourself? With the holidays comes something to look forward to.

It also gives us reasons to make the effort and go back home for a visit resulting in the best family parties. And at every family gathering you greet each other smiling and giving the biggest hugs. Everyone wishes everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving!”

It is such a simple and effortless gesture. It requires no thinking to simply wish someone a “Happy Thanksgiving.” You wish your family a “happy thanksgiving”, you wish your friends a “happy thanksgiving,” you wish your teachers, your coworkers, your waiter at the restaurant, your barista at Starbucks, the cashier at the register all a “happy thanksgiving.” And in return, they have probably all wished you a very “happy thanksgiving” too…after all this wishing of happy turkey day, the phrase becomes mundane. It has been said so many times, that it has lost its emphasis. It has taken on a sense of being said just because it is deemed to be polite and socially acceptable during the winter season.

However, while over that turkey dinner with your family, instead of saying “Happy thanksgiving,” say “Thank you” and mean it. Say thank you to that family member for making a difference in your life. Say thank you to your parents for their unwavering support. Say thank you to your roommate for taking care of you when you were sick. Thank you to your best friends for always being there to vent to. Say thank you to your sister who has been with you through everything.

Between the turkey and stuffing and apple pie, between the kisses hello and hugs good-bye, tell someone thank you and mean it, don’t lie.