With school nearing the middle of the first semester, life has been crazy and breaks are a reflective time to relax and enjoy family. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving! Fall break is quickly approaching, and Thanksgiving will be right around the corner. Here are 8 family Thanksgiving traditions to get started with your family.
1. Basement sleepover
The night before Thanksgiving, we enjoy having a sleepover on our basement. The next day, we enjoy watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
2. Complete a 30-day fall activities challenge
Try a 30-day fall activities challenge. Aimed at families, try this 30-day fall activities challenge. Some ideas include:
- Make warm soup
- Paint a pumpkin
- Go on a hayride
- Make s’mores
- Try leaf threading
3. Giving back
While Thanksgiving can sometimes be overshadowed by Black Friday, Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to give back to others. Whether it be volunteering your time, resources, or money, Thanksgiving can be a true reminder of everything we have to be thankful for. Acts of kindness can include:
- Bake treats for your local firefighters or police officers
- Create care packages for a homeless shelter
- Volunteer
- Give out compliments
- Pay for the person in front of or behind you
- Send a hand written letter
4. Movie marathon
Spend Thanksgiving with a movie marathon, or a TV show marathon! Check out my favorite character building movie nights for kids. Additionally, some of my favorite movies fitting for Thanksgiving are:
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – In this old classic, Charlie Brown and the gang prepare for the greatest Thanksgiving ever!
- The Pursuit of Happyness – Based on a true story, Chris Gardner is a struggling salesman whose largest passion in life is taking care of his young son. PG13 for some language.
- Pay it Forward – Inspired by a class project, a young boy begins a revolutionary “pay it forward” movement, starting with his scarred teacher, a drug addict, and his broken mother. PG13 for some brief sexual and language.
5. Bake something new
Over Thanksgiving break, try a new recipe! Some of our Thanksgiving favorites include making Amish friendship bread or a fall-flavored dessert! From festive treats like apple pie or pumpkin cookies to homemade mashed potatoes or mozzarella sticks, your options are endless! (You can finally pick one of those Pinterest recipes you’ve been drooling over.)
6. Let kids serve dessert
It’s the kids turn to serve dessert to the adults! Start a Thanksgiving tradition where the little kids get to serve.
7. Make a list of everything you’re thankful for
On bad days, it can be easy to forget about the blessings we have. What better way to remember than a Thanksgiving family project? On sticky notes or scrap pieces of paper, write down things you’re thankful for, one on each piece of paper. Stick them in a jar. When you’re having a bad day, pull things out of the jar for inspiration!
8. Make a prayer list
Alternatively, each Thanksgiving develop a prayer list (or prayer list jar) as a family, and pull out a different name per day or week. Prayer, and sometimes acting on that prayer (giving gifts, talents, or time) can go a long way!
What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
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