Start a Fun & Meaningful Tradition: Sharing Gratitude at Thanksgiving
November is the national month of gratitude. Filled with celebrations and togetherness, it’s the perfect time to start new family traditions.
Soon enough the hustle and bustle of the joyous winter holidays will be here. But Thanksgiving reminds us that autumn is a time of transition and provides a welcome opportunity to slow down and enjoy one another in a meaningful way. It’s so lovely to have time this month to live a bit more intentionally in preparation for the busy season to come.
Here are some fun ways to incorporate new traditions, all centered around gratitude, to your Thanksgiving gathering this year.
1. PERSONAL NOTES
One of my favorite family traditions is for everyone to share their gratitude for one another. It’s such a simple, yet impactful, activity. Each person is given a small jar. Everyone at the table is asked to write one thing they’re grateful for about each of the other people at the table. They then place their gratitude notes into each person’s jar. It is so special and meaningful to read these personal notes and be reminded of how much we are loved and appreciated. You can use this pretty (and free) printable table set.
2. THANKFUL TURKEY
Another fun activity, especially for young kids, is the Thankful Turkey. Each person writes something they’re grateful for on a feather and then all of the feathers are added to the turkey. You can purchase something like this online to use as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table, or print this cute DIY version for free.
3. THANKSGIVING TABLECLOTH
Get a cloth or plastic tablecloth and have kids (and adults!) write what they’re grateful for right on the table covering. Kids especially get a kick out of this one since writing on the table is usually frowned upon. You can use washable markers so you can reuse. Or go with permanent markers to create a fun keepsake that you can add to every year.
4. NATURE WALKS
Get outside this month! Take walks and either write down or take photos of things you see that you’re grateful for. There are so many awe-inspiring things to be thankful for in nature, and you’ll find they’re easy to spot when you slow down to look for them.
5. VOLUNTEER
Volunteer as a family at a food pantry / soup kitchen. Donate much needed items to a women’s shelter. Write cards to troops who are away from their families over the holidays. Have kids pick out toys to donate to a thrift store where many people will soon be looking for inexpensive holiday gifts to purchase.
6. GRATITUDE TREE
Similar to the Thankful Turkey, this is another fun DIY project for kids and adults alike. Write things you’re grateful for on leaves and attach them to branches (which you can collect on your nature walks). The finished product not only makes beautiful fall décor, but is also a wonderful reminder of the things we’re thankful for. Get instructions and inspiration from Blissful Kids here.
7. FAMILY JOURNALING
During the week of Thanksgiving, end each day by writing in a family gratitude journal together. (If the timing doesn’t work for your family, leave the journal in a common area where everyone can access it each day.) Use a notebook, a journal from the dollar store, or for something a little more special, pick up a beautiful gratitude journal here (they also make really special gifts). Have everyone add something good that happened or something that made them happy that day. On Thanksgiving you can reflect on what everyone wrote. And hopefully keep the practice going even after the holiday!
It’s meaningful traditions like these that we can share as a family and pass down to our children for generations to come. I hope you’ll add one or more to your family celebration this year. If you do, please tell me about the experience in the comments below, I’d love to hear how it goes!
May your Thanksgiving holiday be filled with love, joy, laughter, good food and, most of all, fun! My wish for you is that your heart overflows with gratitude, not only on Thanksgiving, but all throughout the year.