| One of the greatest challenges about this | | | | tree, decorate the house, turn on the Christmas |
| wonderful holiday is not preparing an incredible | | | | music, play games as a family, and have lots of |
| meal, consuming an excessive amount of turkey | | | | candy of course! |
| or pie, or even in trying not to groan after the | | | | 5) Turkey Bowl: What is Thanksgiving without |
| fourth plate of food ... the real challenge lies in | | | | one, right? Make it a tradition that all the guys in |
| both expressing and living with gratitude every | | | | the family have a football game on the morning |
| day of the year. Anne Frank, one who perhaps | | | | of Thanksgiving. |
| had the least to be grateful for, said it perfectly | | | | 6) Thanksgiving for a Family in Need: Have each |
| when she declared: "I do not think of all the | | | | child donate a little money (and/or their time) and |
| misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside | | | | help give Thanksgiving to a family in need. |
| into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and | | | | Contact the local homeless shelter, Churches, |
| seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of | | | | orphanages, schools, etc. - and find a family that |
| the beauty that again and again discharges itself | | | | you can give a Thanksgiving meal to. |
| within and without you and be happy." | | | | 7) Express Gratitude: Around the dinner table, |
| And yet, perhaps the real test and challenge is | | | | before the meal starts, each person will express |
| not even in uttering words or having thoughts of | | | | 3 things that they are grateful for. For younger |
| gratitude - it is living and making evident that | | | | kids, place 3 pieces of corn (symbolic of early |
| gratitude through our actions ... by helping others. | | | | pilgrims) or 3 pieces of candy - and they can't eat |
| Below are listed 10 fun and meaningful | | | | the candies until they express 3 things they are |
| Thanksgiving traditions and activity ideas for | | | | grateful for. |
| families and people everywhere: | | | | 8) 'Thank You' Cards: Everyone in the family will |
| 1) Significance of the Holiday: Take at least a few | | | | take a few minutes sometime that day and write |
| minutes and remember what and why we are | | | | thank you cards to people they are grateful for. |
| celebrating. Review the story and history of the | | | | It could be: parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, |
| holiday, and ensure it is a day that is much more | | | | relatives, etc. Another idea for parents is to put a |
| than turkey, football, and pie. | | | | Name Card at every spot for the Thanksgiving |
| 2) Gratitude Table Cloth: Every year, pull out the | | | | meal. The outside will have the name of the |
| same table cloth to use for the meal. Everyone | | | | person, and the inside is a small note of gratitude |
| around the table will write 3 things they are | | | | -tell each child or guest why they love or are |
| grateful for each year on the table cloth. | | | | grateful for them. |
| 3) Give to the Homeless: Go down to your local | | | | 9) Yearly Family Thanksgiving Cards: Everyone |
| homeless shelter and serve a meal to people who | | | | sends their yearly family updates at Christmas ... |
| have so little. In addition, organize a local fund | | | | so be a little different and send yours at |
| raiser at local Churches, schools, and community | | | | Thanksgiving time. In connection, express your |
| centers. Collect food, financial donations, clothes, | | | | love, gratitude, and appreciate personally to the |
| toys, books, etc. - and give them as a | | | | people you send cards to. |
| Thanksgiving gift to local families in need. | | | | 10) Family Day: Simply make this special holiday a |
| 4) Kick off the Christmas Season: As a family, | | | | family day. Eat the meal together, play games as |
| set aside the night after Thanksgiving as the time | | | | a family, watch a movie, campout in the family |
| to decorate the house in preparation for | | | | room, and just spend time together. |
| Christmas. Make it a family event - put up the | | | | |