10 Ways to Put the “Thanks” Back into Thanksgiving

Some simple things you can do to put the thankfulness back into your family’s Thanksgiving...

By Nancy Twigg

Thanksgiving is all about … well, you know what it’s all about. The question is: How do you make it more of that kind of celebration for your family. One way to enrich your family’s holiday is to incorporate meaningful activities into the day itself. Here are a few suggestions to help put the thankfulness back into your family’s celebration...

1.  Combine holiday decorating with expressions of thankfulness. Help the kids use construction paper and craft supplies to make colored leaves, pumpkins and other seasonal symbols. Then help them write reasons why they feel thankful on each cutout. Use these decorations to give the house a festive look. (See Gratitude Bowl)

2.  Have everyone say what they are thankful for. Either before the feasting begins or after the meal, go around the table and have each family member finish this sentence: “This year, I am most thankful for ...” To keep it simple for young children, use this sentence starter: “I am thankful because ...”

3.  Make the Thanksgiving meal educational. Let the kids dress up as Pilgrims and Native Americans and eat foods similar to the ones the Pilgrims and Indians would have eaten. Children will learn a bit of history as you help them research what kinds of clothes were worn and what foods were eaten during that time period. (See also Relishing Math at the Thanksgiving Feast)

4.  Invite someone to your family dinner who cannot celebrate Thanksgiving with his or her own family: an elderly person whose children live far away, a college student who cannot go home for the holiday, or a member of the armed services who is stationed far from home.

5.  Sending Christmas cards is a common family tradition. Why not send Thanksgiving cards as well? Purchase blank greeting cards with a fall theme or make your own. Inside write a note thanking the recipient for something special he or she has done or the positive impact he or she has had on your life. And don't forget to thank our sefvice people serving abroad. See Holiday Mail for Heroes.