There are several essentials for every Thanksgiving table. Of course, you have to have the turkey and the stuffing. Then there's your grandmother's china and the perfect seating arrangement. But perhaps the most important element is the gratitude that inevitably filters its way into dinner conversations across the country.
It's really no surprise we take the opportunity to say thanks during the holidays: Experts suggest it can help us feel more connected to others. Counting your blessings -- even the little ones -- can also reduce stress and boost happiness.
Seeing as it's so beneficial, we asked HuffPost staffers to share what they treasure most this year. From puppies to siblings to good health, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Take a look at our responses below, then share what you're grateful for this year.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Huffington Post!
HuffPost Gives Thanks
(01 of31)
What I’m most thankful for in 2014 is the continued health of those that I love and the gift of their presence in my life. This includes my friends, my co-workers, my sister and my daughters. Health is a very easy thing to take for granted, except when it’s no longer there.-- Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post
(02 of31)
I’m thankful for a job that never feels like work, and for colleagues who share a fierce commitment to walking the tightrope of ideas that risk idiocy in hopes of becoming inspired. I'm thankful for the judges, juries and voters for various awards who continue to recognize HuffPost Live as an innovative platform. I'm thankful for a body that's held up despite some 365 plane flights over the past 3.5 years. And I'm deeply thankful that my son is enjoying his freshman year of college, my daughter her freshman year of high school -- and that my delightful wife isn't dreading the moment when the nest is empty and it's just me and her.-- Roy Sekoff, President and Co-Creator, HuffPost Live
(03 of31)
I'm thankful for Bill Nye and all the other scientists and science-minded people celebrating birthdays on this Thanksgiving day.-- David Freeman, Senior Science Editor
(04 of31)
This year, I'm incredibly thankful for my legs, my feet and the people who've inspired and supported me to use them. -- Kate Bratskeir, Editor, Healthy Living, Taste & Vegetables
(05 of31)
I am an only child and an only grandchild, and this year was kind of a rough one for my tiny, extremely close family. My 82-year-old grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer and had to have a very invasive surgery over the summer in order to remove it. I am more than thankful to the doctors and nurses who were so patient and understanding with us, and for doing such an excellent job caring for my grandmother. I am even more grateful for her now clean bill of health, and the fact that after 60 years, she has finally quit smoking.-- Jamie Feldman, Associate Editor, HuffPost Style
(06 of31)
I'm thankful to be in New York with my brother and sister. It's been 14 years since we all lived in the same city.-- Caroline Bologna, Editorial Fellow, HuffPost Parents
(07 of31)
I am thankful for workout buddies who keep me running, riding and -- most importantly -- smiling.-- Sarah Klein, Senior Editor, Health & Fitness
(08 of31)
I'm thankful for my family. My mom, dad and sister are the strongest and most caring people I know. Their love and support has helped me survive life in New York City. Plus, they still look fabulous in denim.-- Katelyn Bogucki, Multimedia Producer
(09 of31)
This year, I'm thankful for year-round hikes with views like this one. For real love and podcasts, new Alice Munro and old cookbooks. But more importantly, I'm grateful to the devoted justice-seekers in Ferguson, Emma Sulkowicz and the people of California, who voted to protect teachers in this most recent election. I'm grateful that our public intellectuals don't look like our politicians and that they are working to make the world less tolerant of power imbalance, sexism, racism and greed. I'm grateful that we are beginning to examine ignorance as a privilege and no longer an excuse. We are better for it. Oh, and gimlets. Gimlets are really good. -- Meredith Melnick, Editorial Director, Healthy Living
(10 of31)
I'm grateful for family, both blood relatives and the one I've created in NYC over the last year. Each of you have made me a happier, stronger and kinder person, and I can't thank you enough for your positive influence on my life.-- Lindsay Holmes, Associate Editor, GPS for the Soul
(11 of31)
I'm thankful for my family's new puppy Maisey, whose painfully adorable face is making me even more excited to go home for the holidays this year.-- Kelsey Borresen, Associate Editor, HuffPost Weddings
(12 of31)
I'm thankful for the birth of my beautiful godson, Mason Jax. I'm thankful that he is healthy and happy, and I'm thankful for my cousin and best friend for bringing him into this world! And I'm sure if he could talk, he would that say he is thankful for this Halloween costume.-- Catherine Taibi, Deputy Media Editor
(13 of31)
I'm thankful to have such stellar friends in a city that's far from my family.-- Suzy Strutner, Associate Lifestyle Editor
(14 of31)
I'm grateful for the three best roommates a guy can ask for.-- Ethan Fedida, Senior Social Media Editor, Strategic Partnerships Manager
(15 of31)
I'm thankful for becoming a mother this year to the cutest kid on Earth! #Wombfire -- Julee Wilson, Fashion & Beauty Editor
(16 of31)
I'm so thankful for being able to spend 16 whole years with this nugget.-- Alanna Vagianos, Associate Editor, HuffPost Women
(17 of31)
I am thankful for my brave daughter Uma, who is teaching me what an amazing girl she is. Uma was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014, and we are committed to help many other families facing this challenge. Life is so precious, and we are strong in this new chapter of our lives. We want to help other Hispanic families suffering from the condition. Millions of kids are waiting for a cure, and we are positive that we will have it. We are thankful for waking up every morning.-- Hirania Luzardo, Senior Editor, HuffPost Voces
(18 of31)
Having inherited my father's case of insatiable wanderlust, I'm thankful for another year's worth of life-changing adventures and the opportunity to see (and experience) the world.-- Curtis M. Wong, Deputy Editor, Gay Voices
(19 of31)
I'm grateful for my big, wacky, beautiful family that continues growing and getting more wild and wonderful by the day.-- Antonia Blumberg, Associate Editor, HuffPost Religion
(20 of31)
I'm thankful for the incredible friendship I've shared with this girl for half of my life. The phrase "best friend" just doesn't do our relationship justice. We know each other's pasts, support each other's futures and appreciate each other's imperfections. We are a "tribe" of two, and I wake up each day with a smile on my face knowing that this bond we share will never fade.-- Alena Hall, Associate Editor, Third Metric
(21 of31)
I'm thankful not only for family but for the amazing girlfriends on my block that are such a wonderful support system. Not every mother of three can say that they do a girls' weekend with their neighbors -- usually eight to 12 other mothers go -- to Miami every January. We've done this five years running. Now that is a special neighborhood, in Montclair, New Jersey, for which I am truly grateful.-- Shelley Emling, Senior Editor, Huff/Post 50
(22 of31)
I'm thankful for my family always being there for each other -- and not being able to stay serious or well-mannered for long. Especially this queen.-- Alexandra Svokos, College & Education Fellow
(23 of31)
This year, I'm grateful for my husband of eight months, Alex. Here's to more adventures in sharing our lives together!-- Talia Lavin, International Fellow
(24 of31)
I'm thankful for my close-knit, beautiful, healthy family, and for role models like my parents, who celebrated their 40th anniversary this year!-- Lena Auerbuch, Senior Manager, Lifestyle Communications & Partnerships
(25 of31)
I'm giving thanks for friends who are family and family who are friends, like my mom, Debbie. And while we're at it, I'm grateful for a free press and women's rights.-- Amanda Gutterman, Special Projects Editor
(26 of31)
I'm thankful to still be working in a job I love at age 64. The economy has been unkind to many older workers, and I am thankful for not just the fact that I have a job, but it's a job that I wake up eager to do each day.--Ann Brenoff, Senior Writer/Editor and Huff/Post50 On The Fly columnist
(27 of31)
I'm thankful for the trail blazed for me by my mother -- a high-temperature materials engineer who solved every car problem I ever came to her with. Thanks to her example, I've never doubted that women can do anything.-- Erin Schumaker, Blog Editor
(28 of31)
Knowing she wouldn't live the extra month to their 45th wedding anniversary, my aunt put on her original wedding dress for a surprise of epic proportions. As I helped her get ready, she joked that if it weren't for the ovarian cancer and subsequent chemo treatments, she never would've slimmed down enough to fit in the dress again. Then she walked into the garden where our entire family was waiting, told us she loved us all and proceeded to kiss my uncle long enough for me to snap this photo. She died about a week later, and the last thing she said to me was, "Hey kid, whatever you do, take down a few extra bad guys for me. Now, get the hell out of my room and go get up to some good." This Thanksgiving, I am certainly sad that I lost her but not nearly as grateful as I am to have had her to begin with.-- Carina Kolodny, Senior Editor, Special Projects
(29 of31)
I'm thankful for my dog, Bruna, who never met a clean pile of laundry she didn't like to topple over. I had no idea when I took this rescue pup home in March she would turn into such a loyal companion who gives unconditional love to me (and unconditional malice to the neighborhood squirrels). With her, every day seems a thousand times funnier than it would have been otherwise.-- Kim Bellware, Chicago Associate Editor
(30 of31)
I'm thankful for every day I get to live in New York City. This incredible place inspires me at every turn. Ambitious and diverse residents, accessible arts and culture, always a new neighborhood to explore -- I'm so grateful I'm lucky enough to call this city home.-- Lauren Reddy, Social Media Director
(31 of31)
I can't believe how lucky I am to be expecting my second little girl in a few short weeks and am beyond thankful to see how excited my first is to become a big sister.-- Farah Miller, Executive Family & Relationships Editor
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