Sure, there's turkey, pumpkin pie, and the eat-drink-and-be-merry routine, but does your family have any other cool Thanksgiving traditions? If not, why not start one this year? Here are some fun ideas! (View more ideas posted on our Mommysavers Facebook Page)
Some communities sponsor 5K “Turkey Trot” runs for charity. If you're an avid runner — or just a walker — look into some in your area. Dress in funny costumes your family designs or picks out.- Before you start cooking the big meal, get out an empty box. Fill it with non-perishable foods to donate to your food shelf.
- Better yet, bring that box of perishable foods to the food shelf and volunteer to work at benefit dinners your community is hosting during the day. Service is the best way to appreciate what you have though focusing on giving back to those less fortunate.
- Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV in your PJs on Thanksgiving morning. Have everyone pick their favorite float, and make hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows to enjoy while it's on.
- Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. Ask each guest at your table to write something they're thankful for on a fall-colored construction paper leaf. Read the leaves at dinner, and display them on the table.
- If your family isn't crazy about the typical Thanksgiving turkey dinner, start a new food homemade tradition. A make-your-own pizza station, homemade pasta bar or even ordering a big Chinese take-out feast can be just as memorable if done year after year.
- Or, opt for going out to eat instead of cooking at home. Many restaurants serve wonderful Thanksgiving dinners, and there's a huge perk – no work for you!
- If you've got a lot of extended family that scatters throughout the day, consider hosting a Thanksgiving breakfast instead of a big meal at dinnertime. Egg bake, cinnamon rolls, orange juice – it can be just as special as any turkey dinner. Or, try our popular French Toast Bake recipe. Bill from our Facebook Page writes, “As the family grew and spouses and grandchildren were added it was harder to get everyone together for lunch. So my wife's side started thanksgiving breakfast. We all get together for breakfast and then scatter to other family and friends.”
- Have the kids come up with “table talkers,” as conversational prompts during the dinner. They can be written on a piece of paper and put under each plate. Questions such as, “What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?” or “Which Thanksgiving food could you eat a whole plate of?” are just a couple examples.
- Watch the Detroit Lions or Dallas Cowboys football game (both traditionally play on Thanksgiving Day).
- Have kids clear the table and serve the dessert (if old enough) while the adults enjoy more conversation. Check out some of the Cute Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas we have that kids won't only enjoy eating, they'll have fun making!
- Nicole from our Facebook Page writes, “We watch Charlie Brown thanksgiving on Wednesday night and eat what Charlie Brown serves his guests for Thanksgiving. (Toast, popcorn, jelly beans, pretzels, and peppermint milkshakes).”
- Start working on a big 500 or 1000-piece puzzle together. Get a big sheet of plywood you can put the puzzle on and slide it under the couch for later if you don't complete it that day, and work on throughout the holiday season.
- Hold an at-home movie marathon. Have each family member pick their favorite holiday movie (or TV special) to have on while you prep for the meal or afterward.
- While you're watching those movies, grab a needle and thread, pop some popcorn, and string a popcorn garland for your holiday tree. Cranberries are inexpensive this time of year and also look great when strung decoratively with popcorn that way.
- Get outside and enjoy some fresh air! Go for a walk together as a family after the big meal, or go hiking at a local park to burn off the extra calories.
- If weather permits, put up your Christmas lights that day. Or, if the snow has already started falling, build a snowman or visit a local ice skating rink.
- Start writing and addressing your Christmas cards on Thanksgiving evening. It gets you ahead of the holiday rush, and make you feel on top of things. Plus, your cards will stand out because they arrive so early.
- Have everyone write a letter of gratitude to a non-family member they're thankful for this year (or write one collectively as a family). For example, write to teachers, special neighbors, or service professionals who go the extra mile.
- Ditch the phones, games, and tech distractions for 24 hours, or at least for the large majority of the day. Unplug and make Thanksgiving truly an old-fashioned focus on the family.
- Get a table runner in a fall color and some gold, orange and red craft paint. Have family members make thumbprints “leaves” on it, and on each leaf, once dried, write something they're thankful for on the leaf with a Sharpie. Similarly, Michelle from the Mommysavers Facebook Page writes, “We have a white tablecloth we only put out at Thanksgiving & everyone who attends writes something on it (in Sharpie) they're thankful for & the year. It's neat to see the “littles” handwriting through the years.”
- It's not so unusual to go black friday shopping on Thursday night, but instead of following what the masses do, use it as an opportunity to foster tradition. Buy a gift for someone less fortunate to donate, or make up prizes for “best bargain” or “stood in line longest”.
- Go to a movie. The theaters tend to be a less crowded on Thanksgiving Day.
- That evening, have a hot chocolate bar. Serve your hot chocolate with different syrups and mix-ins like marshmallows, peppermint sticks, or chocolate chips.
- Create a Holiday Blessings Jar. From now until Christmas, have each family member write down something that they're thankful for on a small piece of paper (red and green paper looks great!) each day. Write the person's name along with the date and place the slip of paper inside the jar. By the time Christmas arrives, your jar will be full. If you decorate your jar, it also doubles as a frugal holiday tabletop decoration.
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