Making new Thanksgiving traditions
Discover the true essence of Thanksgiving beyond food, as you cherish moments with loved ones. Embrace novelty and create unforgettable traditions.
New Thanksgiving traditions, the food gets most of the attention. But there’s always time to focus on family and friends, like while you’re waiting for the bird in the oven, or after it’s been eaten. Many of us have our own usual Thanksgiving traditions, like watching football. Why not get a little more creative this year and make new traditions?
Here are some fun new Thanksgiving traditions for the whole family to enjoy.
1. Volunteer
Before popping your own turkey in the oven, teach the kids about the value of serving others by volunteering at a local shelter. Lots of soup kitchens and food pantries welcome volunteers to feed the less fortunate.
2. Write thank-you cards
Set up the kids up with some crayons and blank cards, and encourage them to make thank-you cards to their loved ones, teachers and friends as an exercise in gratitude.
3. Craft a family tree
Thanksgiving is one of those times the whole family gets together. Celebrate that by making a family tree. A study done at Emory University in 2010 found that children who knew about their family history had higher self-esteem and were better able to deal with stress. When children know their families, they are filled with a sense of fulfillment.
4. Bake Thanksgiving cookies
Pies and cakes are a huge part of Thanksgiving. But kids will be eager to help bake some easy-recipe cookies. Kids love decorating cookies, measuring the ingredients and mixing the dough. It’s an activity that gets everyone involved, adults and kids alike.
5. Craft a fall wreath
Get some wreath forms and supplies at your local craft store so so both adults and kids can get crafty making pretty fall wreaths. Then, display them around the house.
6. Go for a fall hike
Feeling full after dinner? Walk it off on a holiday hike with your family. It’s a great time to see all the beautiful fall colors.
7. Do a jigsaw puzzle
Kids love puzzles. What they love even more is when the adults spend time with them trying to figure out the puzzle together. If that’s too tame for those who have the competitive spirit, buy a few sets of the same easy puzzle, separate into teams, and see who finishes first.
8. Watch movies
After the dishes have been done, gather as a group and watch your favorite movies. They can be Thanksgiving movies or other films that everyone in your family loves. The point is that you’ll all be enjoying them together.
9. Look through photo albums
Thanksgiving is one of the best times to look through old photo albums with your family. Everyone will love reminiscing about their most special memories and events.
10. Take photos for holiday cards
Since everyone’s together and all dressed up for Thanksgiving, it’s a great time to snap the holiday card photo. In old and new Thanksgiving traditions everything is about spending time with those you love, so it’s important to remember it, always.
Remember that family is the unbreakable thread that binds you together as you spend Thanksgiving with loved ones. Making new traditions fills your hearts and memories as much as the feast does your bellies. Whether it’s creating, hiking, or volunteering, these customs forge stronger ties and make Thanksgiving a treasured yearly chapter in your family’s history. Don’t simply enjoy the food as you share these experiences; also enjoy the satisfaction of fostering traditions that endure throughout time. Thanksgiving is about embracing the present and the future with open hearts as well as being thankful for the past. I hope these customs bring you joy, warmth, and enduring love this holiday season. Make the most of each minute.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍂
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