Thanksgiving Traditions|Thanksgiving Traditions
Give Yourself a Hand|Give Yourself a Hand
Gloria Malone, who has an 11-year-old daughter, encourages her daughter to focus on what she's grateful for and what she has pride in. "I trace her hand every year (that I remember) and have her write five things she's thankful for or things she's proud of that year," Malone explains.
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Gloria Malone, who has an 11-year-old daughter, encourages her daughter to focus on what she's grateful for and what she has pride in. "I trace her hand every year (that I remember) and have her write five things she's thankful for or things she's proud of that year," Malone explains.
Open Christmas Jammies|Open Christmas Jammies
Lauren Hartmann, a blogger and mom of three, puts a twist on the tradition of opening Christmas jammies early. Instead of waiting until Christmas Eve, she and her family open pajamas on Thanksgiving.
"We used to do it on Christmas Eve, but this is more fun, because then they get to wear them during the whole holiday season," Hartmann says. "Once we did, I was like, 'Why did we ever do it on Christmas Eve?'"
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Lauren Hartmann, a blogger and mom of three, puts a twist on the tradition of opening Christmas jammies early. Instead of waiting until Christmas Eve, she and her family open pajamas on Thanksgiving.
"We used to do it on Christmas Eve, but this is more fun, because then they get to wear them during the whole holiday season," Hartmann says. "Once we did, I was like, 'Why did we ever do it on Christmas Eve?'"
Give Thanks|Give Thanks
Gretchen Bossio, a mom of four, has a helping hand from her own mother, who is a teacher. She brings die-cut paper leaves to their family gatherings, and before the meals they write a few things they are thankful for.
"As we eat, we take turns sharing our 'thankful leaves,'" says Bossio. "It's always a really meaningful conversation … perfect table talk for Thanksgiving!"
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Gretchen Bossio, a mom of four, has a helping hand from her own mother, who is a teacher. She brings die-cut paper leaves to their family gatherings, and before the meals they write a few things they are thankful for.
"As we eat, we take turns sharing our 'thankful leaves,'" says Bossio. "It's always a really meaningful conversation … perfect table talk for Thanksgiving!"
Listen and Learn|Listen and Learn
Writer Kelly Burch and her family take a unique approach to thankfulness over the holiday season. They listen to an old-time radio show called "The Cinnamon Bear," which Burch explains is meant to be listened to one chapter a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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Writer Kelly Burch and her family take a unique approach to thankfulness over the holiday season. They listen to an old-time radio show called "The Cinnamon Bear," which Burch explains is meant to be listened to one chapter a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Give Back|Give Back
Katie Anne and her family take a shopping list from their local food pantry and go shopping for a family in need a week or so before Thanksgiving. Although her kids are still young, Anne hopes that starting the tradition early will help her children realize the importance of giving back.
"I have only done it two years now, and my kids are still little, but hoping it will register at some point," she says.
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Katie Anne and her family take a shopping list from their local food pantry and go shopping for a family in need a week or so before Thanksgiving. Although her kids are still young, Anne hopes that starting the tradition early will help her children realize the importance of giving back.
"I have only done it two years now, and my kids are still little, but hoping it will register at some point," she says.
Stay Active|Stay Active
Katie Anne also adds that she is hoping to start a tradition of doing something active on Thanksgiving, too. (You know, to maybe combat all the pumpkin pie.) "We started doing a family walk last year, and I hope to continue that, too, or just get in the tradition of doing something active in the morning," she says.
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Katie Anne also adds that she is hoping to start a tradition of doing something active on Thanksgiving, too. (You know, to maybe combat all the pumpkin pie.) "We started doing a family walk last year, and I hope to continue that, too, or just get in the tradition of doing something active in the morning," she says.
