10 New Traditions to Start for Thanksgiving This Year

When it comes to the holidays, we all have our own traditions we’re used to. For some of us, if those traditions are changed, it can feel like the holiday isn’t complete. However, without changing other traditions, it might be fun to add in new traditions. Whether you’re trying to build your own family traditions or add to the old traditions you’re already used to, here are 10 new traditions to start for Thanksgiving this year.

10 New Traditions to Start for Thanksgiving This Year

Cook with the Kids

Often times, the mom is the one who does all the cooking with it comes to Thanksgiving. However, Thanksgiving, since it’s all about food, is a great opportunity to get kids in the kitchen and learning. I have a friend who looks forward to Thanksgiving every year, even though it’s a lot of work, simply because her parents involved her so much as a kid. Growing up in her house, starting from a young age, each child got to pick a dessert they wanted to make for the big meal and their mom helped them learn how to make it. A few years of doing this, and the kids each had the same dessert they ended up making each year. They had perfected their dessert to the point that all the family and friends that came for dinner would rave about it and if the dessert wasn’t there, it was seen as a tradition being broken. This made the kids feel so important and involved that it sticks to them still in their adult years.

Volunteer

This doesn’t have to be on Thanksgiving day. There are many giveaways and programs to help people right before the holiday. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community while remembering what this season is all about.

Watch a Movie

Have you ever had that one movie or two the entire family loved watching? Make it a tradition to watch that movie or any movie on a specific day around Thanksgiving or on Thanksgiving. It will end up being like a mini holiday all on its own.

Say What You’re Thankful For

Before everyone digs in for food, have everyone, including the kids, say what they’re thankful for right at that moment. It brings family closer and serves as a wonderful way to be reminded of the positive things in life.

Take a Walk After Dinner

Before everyone gets sleepy, go to the park or a place nearby where it’s safe to walk and take a walk as a family. If you live near the country, this can be even more fun since there can be more nature to experience.

Connect with a Family Member

Each Thanksgiving, make it a tradition to contact one family member or friend you haven’t talked to or seen in a while.

Try a New Recipe

We’re all used to making our typical recipes each Thanksgiving. However, just to keep exploring, try at least one new recipe every year. Sometimes, you end up finding one that gets added to the must-have list.

Play a Family Game

At Thanksgiving is when we see family and friends we may not have seen since last Thanksgiving. A great way to bring everyone together in a closer manner is to play a game the entire family can get in on. Team games are usually the best.

Have a Kid’s Table

This is often seen in movies, but can be nice for the kids. Have the tablecloth be paper so they can draw on it. Have drawing utensils in the middle of the table, etc. It can be fun creating a table idea for the kids to enjoy.

Have a Separate Dinner Just for Friends

Often times, we all think about getting together with just family for Thanksgiving. However, many of us have really close friends we would love to experience the holiday with as well. Without taking away anyone’s traditions with their family, make an extra little dinner night just for you and your friends to enjoy Thanksgiving over.