Turkey – check. Three different casseroles – check. At least one family member saying something cringe-worthy – check, check, check. fun Thanksgiving ideas
While food and family are obviously some of the best parts of Thanksgiving, let’s not forget to give thanks. After all, Thanksgiving is about celebrating the kindness of strangers! Here are some ideas to help put the “thanks” back in Thanksgiving and cultivate thankful hearts in your family.
Give to Others
There is very little in life that will make you feel as thankful as giving to others. Volunteering with your family at a food pantry or shelter is a great step, but remember that these places need assistance all year round. Try these ideas:
-Brainstorm random acts of kindness for each month of the coming year. For example, in May, plan to drop of May Day baskets to family, friends, and neighbors.
-Let each family member choose an event or an organization they would like to support and the month they would like to focus on that organization. (*prepare a list ahead of time)
– “Say Something, Do Something” Have each person in the family choose someone they know that gets overlooked. Then, challenge them to SAY something (or write) and DO something to make that person feel special. It could be every week, every month, or just once.
– Keep it local and help a neighbor. Maybe the kids can teach a new game to an older lonely neighbor, help salt their sidewalks when the first ice hits, or help you bake them a tasty treat. Their “help” may be anything but actually helpful, but sometimes it’s the effort that counts.
Remember the History
We happen to live in a community that is rich with Native American culture and history. Help your kids to re-focus on the history of Thanksgiving by learning more about the Native American culture. Attend the “Share our Food” dining event on November 19th (Share Our Food Event Info). You can expect “a presentation by an American Indian speaker, free Museum admission and a wide assortment of menu items, tea and water.” If you can’t make it to the event or for a visit to the Mid-America All-Indian Center, work on acknowledging the history and sacrifices that brought us Thanksgiving.
Get Crafty: Display One of These Cute Ideas as a Centerpiece
*These ideas (and more) are pinned to our Wichita Moms Blog Pinterest Board!
“Thankfulness Tree”
Go outside and collect branches, and hang things you are thankful for on the branches.
“Giving Plate”
Decorate a plate or platter with the poem about this plate that will travel from family to family. Read the poem while you have everyone gathered for dinner so they can all get excited for the newest tradition. If you like to go above and beyond, make one for each guest and they can start sharing a giving plate among their own friends.
“Thankfulness Pumpkin”
Paint a pumpkin to match your table wear (we have a tradition of the finding tackiest paper-goods in town), and use a sharpie to write out what you are thankful for.
Go Beyond One Day
Incorporate a daily time for thankfulness during the month of November. You may find that your children like it so much you can keep it going year-round. This year, we plan to create a toddler sized thankfulness tree. Each day, I will talk with my child about something our family has to be thankful for and write it on a paper leaf. He gets to stick the leaf to the tree (I put sticky-tak on the back). As the leaves fall outside, the leaves on our thankfulness tree will grow. By Thanksgiving our tree will be in full bloom!
Maybe each day during the week of Thanksgiving you could make time to call a family member they are thankful for. Have older kids decide ahead what trait they specifically admire in that person and have them share that. If they practice giving praise early and often it will be more likely to become a part of their everyday personality.
You, Too!
We can forget to be thankful ourselves. Take a night after the kids go to bed to be thankful for your life. Indulge in your favorite treat and before each bite (or sip…I see you reaching for that wine glass) think of one thing you are thankful for.
There are tons of ideas out there for even the busiest parent. See our Wichita Moms Blog Pinterest board for even more!
