Start Some New Thanksgiving Traditions this Year

The day to give thanks for what we have is around the corner. Is this the year to start some new Thanksgiving traditions?

You might already have some traditions where you gather with your family and enjoy some wonderful food, but there are many ways to make this day more memorable and meaningful for everyone. Check out some of the ideas we offer for traditions you can begin on this holiday.

Show Gratitude to Emergency Workers

Many firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and medical personnel do not get to take holidays off. In fact, because of the increased levels of consumption, these workers often have to put in more hours than normal. Show these workers some gratitude with a plate of goodies and a special note to let them know you appreciate the work they do.

Create a Sharing Circle with Loved Ones

Do you get below the surface with your family and friends, or is the conversation always light and redundant? If you’re getting tired of the same old stories and want to make your day more meaningful, start a sharing circle. This could be one of the new Thanksgiving traditions that allow everyone to get to know each other a bit better. The idea is to take turns talking about something new in your life.

Ask Everyone to Bring Some Canned Goods to the Feast

Most of us who can gather and enjoy the holidays are more fortunate than others that we see every day. Food banks always need donations of canned goods that can go to those in need of them. Not everyone can volunteer to work at a soup kitchen during the holidays, but everyone could bring a few canned goods that can be donated to the food bank.

Make Family Football a Tradition

We know there are several football games on television during the day on Thanksgiving, but you might want to enjoy playing a game with your family. Make this one of your Thanksgiving traditions when the kids or grandkids are young, and watch how it becomes a big deal for your family to gather and play the fun football game every year. This is a great way to get ready for that dinner feast.

Create Some Fun Themed Games

The internet is full of fun ideas of how to enjoy some fun games that kids and adults will like. Create some games that are themed for the day and let everyone get involved. You can have some games that are only made for the kids or for the grownups but having games that can be played by everyone in the family will bring more memories and allow people to enjoy time together.

Pass a Journal for Thankful Messages

Rather than putting everyone on the spot during the meal, you can pass around a blank journal that fills up with messages of gratitude throughout the years. Save this journal and add to it each year. Set aside a time to read some of the messages during one of the gatherings when the journal is filled up. This can be one of your favorite new Thanksgiving traditions, especially when it’s time to remember what you were thankful for years ago.

Get Family Memories on Tape

With the number of smartphones we have, there’s no reason not to have the stories of older generations saved as memories we can enjoy and listen to later in life. You may have grandparents that lived through wars had wonderful adventures, and can tell you more about why your family lives where they do. These precious memories should be kept for future memories.

Remember Lost Loved Ones

Whether it’s been a few weeks or several years, remembering some of the people who touched your hearts, helped build your family, and are now gone is a wonderful tribute to your heritage. This might be an emotional event, but it could be one of the most meaningful Thanksgiving traditions that you experience every year. Share some fun stories and memories of those who have left a mark on your heart.

Create an Ornament Exchange

Thanksgiving often signals the time when many people will begin to put their Christmas trees up and begin to decorate for the December holidays. Ask everyone to bring an ornament that can be exchanged and added to the decorations for your friend or family member. Create some ideas for the ornaments and a way to mark them so that your guests can remember where they came from throughout the years.

Choose a Movie Instead of Football for a Little While

Most of us don’t genuinely enjoy all of the football games that are on during Thanksgiving. We could easily give up one of the games and watch a traditional holiday movie that can be enjoyed by more than just the sports fans in the family. You could pick the same movie every year and make it a tradition or ask a rotating family member to provide the movie that will be seen.

Use the Good China

If you have heirloom table settings and beautiful dishes that have been passed down through your family, the holidays are the best time to use these dishes. While you might not want the added cleaning of fine china, these dishes can give your table an elegant look that everyone can admire. Make it one of your new Thanksgiving traditions to use the good china.

Create a Signature Cocktail

You can find recipes for everything online, and making a cocktail that will become a tradition of your holiday feast is a great way to share something most of the adults can enjoy. For those that aren’t old enough or don’t want to partake in alcohol, try and find a version of the drink that doesn’t contain any alcohol so everyone can enjoy the drink.

Designate a Special Breakfast Chef

The person who is preparing the Thanksgiving feast shouldn’t be the same one that has to feed everyone at breakfast or do the dishes after the big dinner. Make one of your new Thanksgiving traditions to designate another person to handle breakfast on that day. This could be an out-of-town guest that won’t have a chance to cook unless given this opportunity, or it could be some of the kids who are old enough to handle the job.