11 Traditions to Start This Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to create new traditions that bring your family and friends closer together. Whether you’re looking to add a bit of fun, focus on gratitude, or start a new way of celebrating, these traditions will make your holiday even more memorable. From festive meals to meaningful activities, there are plenty of ideas to help make this Thanksgiving one that everyone will remember for years to come.
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Participate in a “Turkey Trot”
A Turkey Trot is a fantastic way to start Thanksgiving morning with energy and excitement. Many communities host Turkey Trot races, typically 5K events, that encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to join in. Whether you’re walking, running, or jogging, it’s a fun way to get moving before settling in for a hearty meal. These races often bring the community together, creating a festive environment filled with holiday spirit. They’re not just about fitness; they’re also about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
In addition to the health benefits, many Turkey Trots are organized to support charitable causes. This makes it a meaningful tradition, as your participation often contributes to local food banks or other community services. It’s a great way to teach children about generosity and the importance of giving back, all while having a fun time with family and friends. Many families also use this time as an opportunity for bonding, jogging, or walking together and chatting about plans for the day, making it an inclusive, family-friendly activity.
Host a “Friendsgiving”
Friendsgiving has become a popular alternative to or addition to the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a way to celebrate the holiday with your closest friends, often at a time when not everyone can make it to their family gatherings. The beauty of Friendsgiving is in its informality and flexibility. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Some people host a potluck-style dinner, where each guest brings a dish, while others may prepare the entire meal together. It’s an opportunity to try new recipes, share your favorite dishes, and celebrate friendships in a cozy, relaxed environment.
Hosting a Friendsgiving also gives you the freedom to skip some of the more traditional aspects of Thanksgiving, such as the turkey, and instead try something more creative, like a taco bar or vegetarian dishes. It’s a great way to explore different culinary traditions while keeping the essence of what Thanksgiving is all about: gratefulness and togetherness. Plus, because it’s held with friends who are often in the same stage of life, the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed and fun. It’s a tradition that can be filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable memories.
Watch the Parades
Thanksgiving parades have been a longstanding tradition, particularly the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which brings together larger-than-life balloons, floats, marching bands, and famous entertainers. Watching the parade is a cherished tradition for many families, offering an early glimpse of the holiday season. The parade is a spectacle that combines joy and excitement, with every year bringing something new to the streets. It’s not just about the entertainment; it also sets the mood for the rest of the day, building anticipation for the festive meal ahead.
In addition to the Macy’s parade, many cities and towns host their own parades, which often have a more intimate, community-oriented vibe. Whether it’s a local high school band marching through town or a small float celebrating a community tradition, these parades are a great way to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving. Watching parades together as a family can become a beloved tradition, especially for younger children who get to experience the magic of the floats and performances. It’s a time to relax, enjoy one another’s company, and celebrate the season before the hustle and bustle of cooking and entertaining begins.
Create a “Blessings Jar”
A “Blessings Jar” is a simple yet powerful way to reflect on gratitude throughout the Thanksgiving season. The idea is to keep a jar in a central spot where everyone in the household can write down something they’re thankful for every day leading up to Thanksgiving. These notes can be as simple as appreciating a warm cup of coffee or recognizing a kind gesture from a friend. On Thanksgiving Day, the family can gather together, read the blessings aloud, and reflect on the positive moments of the year. It’s a tangible way to encourage mindfulness and focus on the good things, even when life feels stressful or challenging.
This tradition can also serve as an opportunity to connect as a family. You can make it a ritual to sit down and add to the jar in the evening, encouraging everyone to share their thoughts. It helps create a warm, reflective atmosphere leading into the holiday meal, and it can also be a beautiful conversation starter during dinner. You might even find that this tradition carries over into other parts of the year, reminding everyone to practice gratitude on a daily basis.
Take a Family Walk
After the big meal, many families find that going for a walk is the perfect way to unwind and digest. Taking a family walk on Thanksgiving is a healthy, peaceful, and enjoyable way to wrap up the day. Whether it’s a quick stroll around the neighborhood or a longer hike through a nearby park, it’s a chance to be outside in the fresh air and share some quiet time. Walking after a meal is not only good for digestion but also offers a gentle way to stretch after sitting for a long time.
Beyond the physical benefits, a walk together can be a wonderful bonding experience. The slower pace allows for meaningful conversation, whether it’s talking about the highlights of the day or reflecting on what everyone is thankful for. It also gives you the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of fall, the changing leaves, crisp air, and fading light, which adds to the tranquility of the experience. For families with young children, the walk can be an exciting adventure, whether it’s collecting colorful leaves or spotting wildlife along the way.
Take Festive Photos
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones, and what better way to do so than by taking festive photos? This tradition can be as simple as snapping a few pictures around the dinner table, in front of the fireplace, or outside. You can plan a themed photo shoot with matching outfits or just capture candid moments as the day unfolds. Photos can help preserve the spirit of Thanksgiving and allow you to relive the memories year after year.
For a fun twist, create a Thanksgiving photo booth with props like turkey hats, fall leaves, and pumpkin-themed accessories. This adds an element of playfulness and creativity to the photos, especially for kids who enjoy dressing up. As the years go by, looking back at these photos can evoke warm memories of family gatherings and the special traditions you’ve created together.
Write Thank-You Cards
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the people who have made a difference in your life, and writing thank-you cards is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. You can write cards to family members, friends, colleagues, or anyone who has supported you throughout the year. This tradition encourages gratitude and helps you put into words the impact others have had on your life. It’s a simple gesture, but one that can mean a lot to the recipient, especially during the holiday season.
In addition to personal thank-you notes, you can also consider writing cards for teachers, neighbors, or anyone else who has made a positive impact. This not only fosters kindness and appreciation but also helps to teach children the value of expressing gratitude. Sending handwritten thank-you cards is a heartfelt tradition that goes beyond Thanksgiving, creating connections and deepening relationships.
Volunteer as a Family
Volunteering during Thanksgiving is a meaningful tradition that brings the whole family together to give back to those in need. Whether you’re serving meals at a local shelter, donating to a food bank, or helping out at a community event, volunteering allows you to model kindness and empathy for younger generations. It also offers a chance to reflect on the blessings in your own life by helping others who may be struggling.
Volunteering can be especially rewarding because it connects your family to the community and the true spirit of Thanksgiving. The experience of working together for a cause greater than yourselves brings a sense of unity and fulfillment. Additionally, many organizations welcome families with children, making it an inclusive tradition that everyone can take part in, regardless of age.
Share Favorite Recipes
Food is at the heart of Thanksgiving celebrations, and sharing your favorite recipes is a tradition that can bring families closer together. Whether it’s a beloved family recipe passed down through generations or a new dish you’ve discovered, sharing recipes allows everyone to contribute to the meal. It’s a great way to honor family history while introducing new flavors and ideas to the table. You can even start a recipe exchange with extended family or friends to try new dishes each year.
This tradition can also provide an opportunity to teach younger family members how to cook and pass down culinary skills. It creates a sense of togetherness in the kitchen and encourages collaboration. Sharing favorite recipes turns Thanksgiving into an interactive celebration, where everyone’s contributions are valued, making the meal feel even more special.
Make Thanksgiving Ornaments
Making Thanksgiving-themed ornaments can become a fun and creative tradition for families to enjoy together. Whether it’s crafting handprint turkeys, painting pumpkin decorations, or creating simple paper garlands, making ornaments adds a personal touch to your Thanksgiving décor. This activity can be especially enjoyable for children, as it allows them to express their creativity while also learning about the holiday.
These handmade ornaments can be used to decorate the table, hang on a Thanksgiving tree, or be kept as keepsakes for years to come. As the years go by, looking at these ornaments will bring back memories of family time spent crafting together. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to make Thanksgiving feel special while creating lasting memories.
Host a Potluck Dinner
Hosting a potluck dinner on Thanksgiving allows the whole group to share in the culinary fun and reduces the workload on the host. It’s a great way to celebrate the diversity of dishes people enjoy and try new foods that you might not have considered before. By asking your guests to bring a dish, you create a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere where everyone’s contribution is valued. Whether it’s a signature dish or a new creation, each item on the table brings something unique to the meal.
This tradition can also be a way to showcase different cultural takes on Thanksgiving or accommodate dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or international flavors. With a potluck, there’s less pressure on the host to prepare everything alone, and it ensures that the meal reflects the variety and tastes of the entire group. It’s a wonderful way to bond and make the meal feel more like a shared experience rather than a formal event.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.