15 Heartwarming Thanksgiving Traditions to Begin with Your Family This Year
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and togetherness, making it the perfect holiday to start new traditions that bring everyone closer. Traditions give everyone something special to look forward to each year, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Starting a few meaningful rituals this Thanksgiving can make the day feel even more special and help everyone truly appreciate the holiday. From simple acts of kindness to engaging family activities, here are 15 Thanksgiving traditions to consider starting with your family this year.
Create a Thankful Tree
A Thankful Tree is a great way for everyone to reflect on what they’re grateful for this year. To create one, place a few bare branches in a vase and provide paper leaves for each family member to write down things they’re thankful for. As you add the leaves to the branches, watch the tree fill up with positive thoughts and blessings.
It’s a wonderful reminder of the abundance in your lives and can become a meaningful centerpiece. At the end of the day, read through the leaves together. This tradition brings gratitude to the forefront and adds a personal touch to your Thanksgiving decor.
Host a Family Recipe Cook-Off
Thanksgiving is all about the food, so why not make it a little more exciting with a family recipe cook-off? Have each family member make their favorite dish or try a new recipe and bring it to the table. Everyone can sample the dishes and vote on categories like “Best Side Dish” or “Most Unique Flavor.”
This friendly competition gets everyone involved in the cooking and lets family members share their culinary talents. Plus, it’s a fun way to explore new dishes and flavors each year. The winner could even receive a small prize or the honor of picking a dish for next year’s meal.
Have a Thanksgiving Morning Walk
Before the feast begins, gather everyone for a Thanksgiving morning walk. It’s a great way to start the day with some fresh air, light exercise, and a chance to enjoy the season’s beautiful colors. Walking together gives family members time to talk, laugh, and connect before the busy day begins.
If you have younger kids, consider making it a nature walk, collecting leaves, or spotting local wildlife. It can also be a calming moment before the hustle and bustle of cooking and festivities. This simple tradition can help everyone appreciate the peaceful start to Thanksgiving Day.
Set Up a Family Gratitude Journal
A family gratitude journal is a beautiful way to collect memories and moments from each Thanksgiving. Set out a notebook and encourage everyone to jot down things they’re grateful for or favorite memories from the year. Over the years, this journal will become a treasured keepsake that reflects your family’s journey and growth.
You can add photos, mementos, or even kids’ drawings to make it even more personal. Reading through past entries can bring smiles and laughter to the day. It’s a tradition that grows richer each year as you build a family legacy of gratitude.
Watch a Thanksgiving-Themed Movie Together
Watching a Thanksgiving-themed movie is a cozy way to wind down after the big meal. There are plenty of feel-good movies that capture the spirit of Thanksgiving and family. Some families love watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” while others might pick a family favorite that fits the holiday mood.
Set up a cozy spot with blankets and pillows, and enjoy the chance to relax together. For families with kids, this can be an exciting annual tradition everyone looks forward to. It’s a perfect way to relax, bond, and enjoy the end of the holiday together.
Volunteer as a Family
Giving back is a great way to remind everyone of the true spirit of Thanksgiving. Consider spending part of your day volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or charity. If you have young children, you can find ways they can help too, like making cards or packing small care kits. This act of service brings families together while helping those in need.
It’s a powerful reminder of how fortunate you are and can inspire gratitude and empathy in younger family members. Volunteering as a family creates a meaningful tradition of kindness that can last beyond Thanksgiving.
Create a Family Time Capsule
A Thanksgiving time capsule is a fun way to capture memories from each year. Gather small items that represent the year, like photos, ticket stubs, or even a recipe. Have everyone write a note about their favorite memory or what they’re thankful for, and seal everything in a box.
Bury it in the backyard or store it safely to be opened in a few years. As the years go by, it becomes a tradition of looking back and seeing how much the family has grown. This can make future Thanksgivings even more special as you relive past memories.
Exchange Secret Notes of Gratitude
Surprise your family members with a “Secret Gratitude” note. Have everyone draw names and write a short note about what they appreciate about that person. These notes can be shared after dinner, creating a heartfelt moment of appreciation and connection.
It’s a great way to boost each other’s spirits and strengthen family bonds. Reading these notes aloud can fill the room with warmth and positivity. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make everyone feel valued and loved.
Bake Thanksgiving Treats Together
Baking treats as a family is a fun way to add something sweet to your Thanksgiving celebrations. Choose a few classic Thanksgiving treats like pumpkin pie, apple tarts, or spiced cookies, and let everyone pitch in. Younger kids can help with mixing, while older family members can handle the oven.
As you bake, you can share stories, laugh, and build excitement for the holiday meal. Once the treats are done, you’ll have something homemade to enjoy together. This activity adds a sweet touch to Thanksgiving and fills the house with cozy aromas.
Play A Thanksgiving Game
Test your family’s knowledge of Thanksgiving with a fun trivia game. You can prepare questions about Thanksgiving history, facts about the holiday, or even family traditions. Divide into teams and compete to see who knows the most about Thanksgiving!
This lighthearted activity can bring plenty of laughs and a little friendly competition. It’s also a great way for kids to learn more about the holiday in an interactive way. Trivia games create fun memories and can even become a learning experience.
Make a Thanksgiving Craft Together
Thanksgiving crafts are a great way to add creativity to the holiday. Gather supplies like paper, markers, and glue, and make something simple like handprint turkeys or pinecone decorations. These crafts can be fun for kids and adults alike, giving everyone a chance to get a little crafty.
Once the decorations are done, you can use them to decorate the dinner table or the house. Crafting together brings everyone closer and adds a personal touch to your Thanksgiving decor. Plus, you’ll have keepsakes to remember each holiday by.
Share Family Stories
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pass down family stories. Take turns sharing memories, funny moments, or tales from the past that others may not know. This tradition lets family members of all ages connect with each other and learn about your family’s history.
Older relatives can share stories that young ones may not have heard, preserving memories for the next generation. Listening to these stories adds depth to the holiday and helps create a sense of connection. Each Thanksgiving, you’ll build a library of shared memories and stories.
Write Thank You Cards Together
Gather everyone around the table after dinner to write thank-you cards. These can be for anyone who has made a positive impact over the year, from teachers to friends or neighbors. This tradition encourages everyone to think of people outside the family who deserve appreciation.
Writing thank-you cards brings out gratitude in a heartfelt way and reminds everyone of their extended community. This small act of kindness can bring happiness to both the givers and the receivers. It’s a lovely way to spread the Thanksgiving spirit beyond your own family.
Hold a Family Talent Show
After dinner, gather everyone for a lighthearted family talent show. Whether it’s singing, dancing, telling jokes, or showing off a skill, it’s a fun way to end the day on a playful note. This activity allows family members to let loose and showcase their personalities.
Kids will love the chance to perform, and adults can enjoy some light entertainment. You can even offer small prizes for categories like “Funniest” or “Most Creative.” The talent show adds laughter and joy to your Thanksgiving and leaves everyone smiling.
End the Day with a Bonfire or Candlelight Reflection
Wrap up your Thanksgiving with a quiet moment of reflection around a bonfire or candlelight. Gather outside if you have a fire pit, or light some candles indoors for a cozy atmosphere. Take turns sharing one thing you’re grateful for or one hope you have for the upcoming year.
This peaceful end to the day allows everyone to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving and their hopes for the future. It’s a beautiful way to close out the holiday with gratitude and intention. This calming tradition creates a sense of warmth and connection that lingers long after Thanksgiving ends.
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It’s my favorite time of year!! The Christmas season is here! I love the holiday music, the decorations, the holiday markets, and the movies!
