Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving Traditions
I seriously feel bad for Thanksgiving.
I mean, every year it seems we’re driven to jump right into Christmas almost bypassing Turkey day. It’s almost as if we will eventually dismiss the Holiday all together. I love the holidays and the traditions my family has carried on as well as the one’s we’ve created.
In recent years, I’ve tried to give Thanksgiving its due recognition, but I’m ashamed to admit I’m guilty of wanting to pull out the Christmas gear the day after Thanksgiving as my way to celebrate Black Friday! This year I am doing even worse!
With Covid as my excuse I took down Halloween (inside only) on 11/1 and began to transform my home into Christmas! Ifigured why not? 2020 has brought so much change and challenge I decided to focus on what brings me joy.
But I regress…..it is only November and Thanksgiving is first! Because it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the magic of the holiday season, I’ve listed 5 awesome ideas for Thanksgiving Day that will allow you to fully acknowledge Turkey day, and perhaps begin a new tradition with the ones you love.
Volunteer
What could be more appropriate on a day designated for giving than to volunteer and give back to the community.
I like this idea because you can put in a few hours of the day volunteering for an organization you’re compelled to suport and still have time to feast, drink, be merry and spend time with family as you desire. A couple of tips:
o Choose a cause you’re passionate about
o Find an opportunity that matches your skills, interests and schedule
o Get the kids involved
Volunteering can also be as simple as visiting a nearby Senior Center or donating goods to a local food bank. There are so many great organizations who need our help even more during this time of the year.
Turkey Trot
Want to go for seconds and thirds guilt free this Thanksgiving? The average American will consume 3,000 calories on Turkey Day (and honestly you should because, duh, it’s Thanksgiving!).
An awesome way to kick off the day, get the endorphins going, and burn some pre-meal calories is to run or walk in a Turkey Trot!
Turkey Trots range in size from just a few runners to thousands of runners. The organizations hosting the event usually use the entrance fee to fund local charities and in some races the 1st place prize is a frozen turkey! Dust off those running shoes and get to trotting! Grab your friends and family and make it a group effort!
Game Time
Some of my favorite memories from childhood Thanksgivings is watching the kids in my neighborhood playing football with cousins and family before or after their feast.
Whatever game you play, because it certainly doesn’t matter, make it light and fun and try and get everyone involved! Play a board game, create a scavenger hunt, or enjoy a round of cards. KEY POINT IS - put the electronics down and get back to the basics! Quality time together is precious!
Get Away
It is 100% okay to ditch the normal gatherings and do your own thing. Maybe you need a getaway. You’re likely to have extended time off for the holiday, so why not use that time to explore and try something new. Rent a cabin with your family, go visit friends or family in a nearby state that you haven’t spent time with in forever. Book a staycation and stay at a local hotel and let them do the cooking. Whatever you decide enjoy the adventure and be safe.
I hope you’ve been inspired by one of these awesome ideas for Thanksgiving Day and decide to include it in your future Turkey Day festivities.
Gobble Gobble!
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie