We all have our favorite holidays. Often, the kids like the ones that involve presents and some sort of magic mystery, like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter. But it's important not to forget the real reasons behind holidays like Thanksgiving — they're days to mark something significant and make lasting memories with those we love.
Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that has a lot of tradition associated with it. While this year may end up swaying from our typical gatherings due to the global health crisis, these traditions can still be done in a modified way. Given how every family does something different, we've asked 15 parents what their favorite Thanksgiving traditions are. Some are deep and meaningful, others silly and fun — but that's what makes this holiday so special.
What We're Thankful For
"A few years ago, we started a tradition of writing what we are thankful for on a burlap tablecloth. I love being able to look back on so much gratitude!" — Corine I., mom of three
Shifted Traditions
"We used to do the thanks-around-the-table — everyone says one thing they are thankful for — but my daughter was stillborn 16 years ago on Thanksgiving weekend, and we've never observed it since. We use it as a family dinner time, but usually roast and a tofurkey to keep it non-Thanksgiving like." — Danielle G., mom of three
We Watch the Parades
"We always spend the morning watching the parades. It was something I always did as a child, and now I'm happy to do it with my family, and my son loves watching the floats. Then I usually listen to Alice's Restaurant while cooking up something edible. I picked up on that tradition from my ex's mom, but we're still in touch, and she's one of those kind-hearted people you never forget. When I can, I try to make a small batch of my abuela's potato salad as it's the only family recipe I know and the only thing I have left of her. I also watch Pieces of April because difficult family relationships are relatable. And after dinner, I try to give everyone a chocolate turkey (like they do in the Thanksgiving episode of Gilmore Girls) because honestly, I am all for pop culture references in my holiday celebrations." — Priscilla, mom of one
We Get Adventurous With Our Food
"My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is adding some variety to the meal by doing food themes from around the world. We've done Mexican Thanksgiving, Thai Thanksgiving, Italian Thanksgiving, and more. It allows us to cook and eat new foods and keeps things interesting every year." — Ryan S., dad of four
Thanksgiving Food Swap Out
"We are a transracial adoptive family. So as white parents with Black kids, we now have new traditions such as sweet potato pie instead of pumpkin and having mac 'n cheese as well." — Meg S., mom of four
An Alternate Date
"We split our Thanksgiving, and although we live in Canada, we host our Thanksgiving during that time of year to allow my older kids to visit their in-laws on the Canadian holiday. This way, there are fewer conflicts when trying to get together." — Rhonda P., mom of four
A Thankful Tree
"Her dad/my husband died 3 years ago. We started a tradition about 7 years ago, making a 'thankful tree' out of paper, just a trunk and limbs. Then we cut out a bunch of leaf shapes, and as we think of things we're thankful for, we write them on leaves and tape to the tree." — Lisa S., parent of one
Cheese That Takes Time
"So every year, my son helps me make macaroni and cheese. He doesn't eat it, but he loves to help me grate the cheese. It takes forever, but I let him because I love having him in the kitchen with me." — Sa'iyda S., mom of one
Our Extended Family
"We live in Beijing, and there are so many turkey dinners catering to expats. Some are sit down, and other will deliver the entire meal right to you. Last year, we emphasized the family you choose and invited good friends to our tiny place for a shared meal. We plan to do a gratitude tree this year and have the same kind of gathering." — Cindy M.J., parent of two
We Have Goose Instead
"We live in Munich, Germany, and over the last several years, our tradition is to get a goose instead of a turkey (tastes way better, frankly), and we save the goose fat to fry our Hanukkah latkes in December." — Naomi H., mom of two
Blended & Vegetarian
"I'm an immigrant, so we always had a blended Thanksgiving with food from my mom's native Russia and my dad's native Cuba, plus some traditional American food. Now that I'm married, we've adopted our own traditions, too. My husband is a vegetarian, and now I am, too, so I make some adjustments for us. I cook his dad's special stuffing recipe with veggie sausage, and I also make a mushroom gravy so good that nobody touches the regular turkey gravy anymore!" — Irina G., mom of one
We Have a Feather Hunt
"When my son was 2, I hid faux turkey feathers around our apartment, and he'd search for them like an Easter egg hunt. Then we'd trace our hands — and family members' hands — and he'd make turkeys for everyone and glue on the feathers. It became a tradition. He's 13 now, and we still make at least one turkey feather hand on Thanksgiving." — Christine Coppa, author of Rattled! and mom of one
Not an Official Tradition
"It's a fun holiday tradition to watch my stepmother-in-law forget — and then remember — that I'm a vegetarian and then scramble to make me boiled noodles with unseasoned veggies mixed in for a meal." — Patrick M., dad of two
A Separate Gluten-Filled Thanksgiving
"Half our family has celiac, so we celebrated 'Thanksgluten' a month after, which is a full gluten traditional Thanksgiving meal that only the non-celiac people were invited to." — Tessa K., mom of two
We Decorate for Christmas
"It's my personal tradition to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. We bake pies as a family the week of Thanksgiving. And we wear jammies all day since we'll be at home this year!" — Jayme, mom of two
