One of my most treasured events is gathering with family and friends for Thanksgiving. This year I am even more thankful for the addition of my son-in-law and his family.
Even if you cannot gather with your family, you can still pass on thanks to those around you or include others with no one to spend the day with. A new tradition becoming popular, and we celebrate it here in our subdivision, is “Friendsgiving.” Gather with friends, each contributing a dish and sharing a meal, to enjoy each other’s company before traveling to see family.
I’m sharing 15 activities that I think you might want to share. You may want to make them part of your family traditions.
- Thankfulness Jar – Before starting the sumptuous meal on Thanksgiving, provide a piece of paper; you might cut out leaves or pumpkins and ask each person to write what they are thankful for on this day. Place each piece of paper in the jar or basket, then after dinner, have each person draw out one and recite, trying to guess who wrote it.
- Run a Turkey Trot – If you are energetic, you might want to participate in a local turkey trot race. Most races are 5k to half marathons.
- Giving Back – Many communities have food drives for non-perishable foods to donate to food banks and soup kitchens. There are also opportunities to serve hot meals to the homeless.
- Have a Toast – Purchase a bottle of cider, sparkling juice, or wine for the adults. Pass out fancy glasses or have everyone bring their own beverage container. Raise your cup and state what you are grateful for. Allow everyone an opportunity to make a toast.
- Play a Game – Do you have a family game that everyone enjoys? For example, Scrabble, Life, Monopoly, Clue, any board games, online trivia, or a card game.
- Movie Marathon – Pull out those favorite holiday movies and start watching.
- Light a Gratitude Candle – Go around the dinner table and have each person light their candle and say what they are grateful for. Use battery-operated candles for children.
- Begin a Thanksgiving Journal – Purchase a special notebook reserved for Thanksgiving Day only. During the day, have each person, regardless of their age, on a separate page per individual, write what they are thankful for or a special memory they have of Thanksgiving. Children may instead draw a picture or color. Make sure to write each person’s name, age, and date on the page so that it becomes a memory book or treasured heirloom in the coming years.
- Host a Pie Party – A Thanksgiving staple is a homemade pie. A day or two before the feasting, invite family and friends to make homemade pies or ask each guest to bring two of the same pies. One to slice and share that evening with the beverage of your choice, and one to be purchased with proceeds going to charity for the holidays. Suppose you have no time to bake; stop and buy two pies from your local grocery store. What is your favorite pie?
- Watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” - This movie is a classic which began airing in 1973. After the movie, you can re-enact the “dinner” that Charlie Brown and Snoopy made for their friends - buttered toast, popcorn, jellybeans, and pretzel sticks. This also serves as a small snack while the adults prepare the feast.
- Thanksgiving Trivia Competition - Have a friendly game of Thanksgiving-themed trivia, and the winner receives a small prize or gift card. Click here for Trivia questions.
- Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - Always a must for my family. Enjoy the larger-than-life balloons in every character possible. We also enjoy the live singing from popular artists.
- Walk. After dinner, take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. It helps with the turkey coma or need for a nap after a delicious meal. It also allows you to catch up with a family member or friend you haven’t seen in a while.
- Get kids involved – Ask your children or grandchildren if they want to help serve the dessert or clean up after dinner. It develops good habits and includes them in the activities of the day.
- Try a new dish – Go ahead and try a new recipe on those gathered. Get their comments and see if they notice the new dish.
There are numerous fun things to do with your family and friends around the Thanksgiving holiday. If you are crafty, you can enjoy creating and involving the little ones, even starting on Christmas gifts.
A couple of websites with more ideas are listed below.
- https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/a22725823/thanksgiving-traditions/
- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/thanksgiving-traditions
- https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g29343132/thanksgiving-traditions/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g32447013/thanksgiving-traditions/
As we inch closer to this special day on our calendar, know that I will participate in a few of the family activities I suggested above. And I hope you will too.
Blessings to you and your family, and if you are traveling, have a safe trip.
All my best,
Julie
THROW KINDNESS AROUND LIKE CONFETTI
Great last line!
Hope you are feeling better, my friend