Thanksgiving traditions

Our family traditions have been a bit sketchy over the years. Mostly because we really didn't have many! Sure, at Thanksgiving, we always get together with family to eat, but other than that, people would trickle in a little before time to eat and would leave soon after we had eaten. It's harder these days with extended family, having to split our time with in-laws and other family, but it just seems that there should be more to it than showing up to eat and then leaving.

I guess my husband and I have it a little easier than most, our family is spread out in three different states, so we don't have to rush from house to house on each holiday. We do have to choose where we're going to spend the time with, but it's a lot easier to say, "sorry, we'll be out of time during the holiday so we can't make it" than to say, "sorry, we're not going to rush ourselves to see everyone in town" like my sister and her family does!

So, while I am in town for this Thanksgiving, and especially since we're hosting Thanksgiving lunch at our house, I'd really like to come up with something that draws us together a little better than just food! Unfortunately, most of my family isn't really into participating, so while I've seen suggestions about having family game time before eating or have everyone tell something they're thankful for (which you think would be easy enough for people to participate in...) I'm not sure that those ideas would really work for us.

One tradition I've kind of started on my own is to make sure to catch the Macy's Day Parade. I read a suggestion somewhere about playing a holiday classic to wrap up the day. I guess that's something I could do, although I guess the real trick will be getting everyone to stick around for it!

I guess the important thing here is to start a tradition for my immediate family. There is plenty of time to start some great traditions with my kids, although at two and not-quite-here, their participation may be a little iffy for a while! One suggestion I'd like to work into our traditions is to do something for someone else. This year my husband and I are looking into is giving something to our church's "Operation Turkey Drop" where they provide lunch for people in the service industry that won't be able to be home for Thanksgiving - such as firefighters or emergency room workers.

I think that making sure to take time to specifically tell each other some things we're thankful for about each other and our family is something I want to make part of our family's Thanksgiving day tradition. Also, spending time together after dinner as a family, maybe playing a game of cards or something - you know, the whole "bonding" experience - after we eat sounds like a good plan. If we didn't live in the middle of nowhere, I'd say that taking a walk after eating would be something I'd like to do, but where we live it would be more like taking a hike, and I don't think many of us have the stamina for that!

Anyway, whatever your family's traditions are, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! And, if you've got any suggestions for new traditions to start, let me know!

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· Get out your sewing projects!
· National Sewing Month
· National Eye Exam Month?

[ READER COMMENTS ]

Thanksgiving traditions

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.