Last week, our focus centered on expressing gratitude for a variety of items and experiences that begin with the letter C, allowing us to reflect on the meaningful aspects of our lives. Today, we invite you to join in this gratitude practice by sharing something you are thankful for that starts with the letter D. Whether it's a cherished memory, a daily comfort, a special person, or a delightful experience, your contributions can help cultivate a spirit of appreciation and foster thoughtful reflection among all of us. Let's take a moment to recognize and celebrate the positive influences in our lives that begin with the letter D!
I'm grateful for Doughnuts. What are you grateful for that begins with the letter D?
🍩 A Hole Lot of History: The Sweet Story of Doughnuts
Ever bite into a doughnut and wonder, who came up with this delightfully round treat with a hole in the middle? Well, grab your sprinkles, because the story is as rich as the glaze!
🧭 From Sea to Sweetness
Doughnuts may have sailed into America with Dutch settlers, who made fried pastries called olykoeks, literally “oil cakes.” But credit for the iconic ring-shaped version goes to Hanson Gregory, a sailor who, in 1847, claimed to have punched a hole in the dough to cook it more evenly. Whether it was sheer brilliance or hunger-fueled invention, the doughnut hole was born!
🌎 Global Goodness
Doughnuts go by different names all over the world:
- Germany serves up jelly-filled Berliners.
- Italy fries sweet bomboloni.
- Mexico offers churros—long, ridged cousins to the doughnut.
- And in Japan, you’ll find mochi donuts—a chewy twist made from rice flour!
🍩 Fun Fact Break!
- The largest box of doughnuts ever assembled weighed over 3,700 pounds. That’s a snack for the record books!
- National Doughnut Day is celebrated on the first Friday of June, originally created to honor women who served doughnuts to soldiers in WWI.
- The average American eats about 63 doughnuts per year—yep, we’re doing our part.
🎭 Quirky Crumbs
Here’s one for your trivia stash:
- Doughnut holes? They’re often just extra dough, rolled and fried separately, turning a clever solution into a snack of its own!
- Some shops shape doughnuts like unicorns, dinosaurs, or even planets. Edible galaxy, anyone?
Expressing gratitude has numerous benefits for personal well-being. Research indicates that regularly acknowledging the things we are thankful for can enhance our mental health and overall happiness. Not only does gratitude positively impact the individual expressing it, but it also fosters a sense of joy in others. Therefore, incorporating gratitude into your daily life can be advantageous for both you and those around you.
Get ready for an exhilarating week ahead as we embark on a fantastic celebration of everything that starts with the letter E! From the coziest comforts to the most intriguing curiosities, we’ll come together to express our gratitude for all the enchanting wonders that this delightful letter brings us. Let’s dive in and embrace the excitement of exploring all the extraordinary things that begin with E!
Get your doughnut worksheet here:
🍩 D Is for Doughnut: “Decorate-a-Doughnut Gratitude Ring”
Let kids turn pretend doughnuts into colorful expressions of what they’re thankful for, sprinkles of joy, frosting of friendship, and toppings of kindness!
🖍️ What You’ll Need:
- Doughnut-shaped paper cutouts (or trace around a circle with a smaller circle in the middle)
- Crayons, markers, glue, glitter, tissue paper “sprinkles,” stickers, or ribbon bits
- Optional: Real doughnuts + edible decorations for a tasty version!
🎨 Activity Instructions:
- Each child decorates their paper doughnut with colors and patterns that represent something they’re thankful for.
- Pink frosting = family
- Rainbow sprinkles = pets
- A heart shape in the glaze = love or friendship
- On the back or around the rim, they write one sentence starting with:
“I’m grateful for…” - Create a “Gratitude Bakery Wall” by displaying everyone’s doughnut creations side by side like a giant batch of kindness!
🍩 Optional Extension:
- Write a short doughnut-themed poem:
“Round and sweet with sprinkles on top—my gratitude doughnut just won't stop!” - Offer a mini printable where kids can color and label their dream doughnut and match it to a gratitude theme (family, food, fun, freedom, etc.)
Return to the Alphabet Hub!
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