Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends, and while for some, it may conjure up feelings of awkward conversations with distant relatives, it should be a time of warmth and enjoyment. Here are five ways to make Thanksgiving fun for your family this year.
Get the Whole Family Involved in Cooking
It's hardly Thanksgiving without a feast, and typically, everyone enjoys that. However, if the cooking duties are left up to one or two people, it can get overwhelming for them, and they might not be able to enjoy the day as much as the rest of the family. This year, get the whole family involved in the process. Make meal preparation fun by turning it into a daily project. Assign age-appropriate tasks. For example, younger kids can mash potatoes. Teenagers may be able to help with appetizers. If you have relatives coming to visit, suggest a potluck where different family members can make dishes to bring.
If you want to add an extra layer of fun, set up a challenge in which different people have to use random ingredients to create a side dish or have a family pie competition to see who can bake their favorite.
Focus on Being Thankful and Showing Gratitude While Making It Fun
It doesn't hurt to practice gratitude all year long, but this is a day when it is especially top of mind. Make it a point to not only put some focus on being thankful but to have fun while doing it.
"Thanksgiving is all about thankfulness, so why not let it set the tone for the whole day? Gather everyone in the morning—even over coffee or breakfast—and ask each person to share one thing they’re grateful for," suggests Calm.com.* "To make it more engaging, especially if you have kids, you can turn this into a mini craft activity. Give everyone small cards or sticky notes to write down what they're grateful for and put them on the fridge for everyone to see. You could also drop them all in a gratitude jar and read through them together after dinner. It may be fun to guess who’s who! This simple practice starts (and maybe ends) the day off with mindfulness and appreciation."
When everyone treats each other with respect, you can avoid controversial topics, such as politics, personal life choices, and other family drama.
Get Outdoors Together
As the family gathers, you don't have to spend the whole time in the kitchen and around the table. Find some time to get outdoors together and get activity in your day. Touch football is a time-honored tradition in many families, as football and Thanksgiving go great together. Some, instead, might like going on a morning walk or hiking together to enjoy the day before the true festivities start. It will also help everyone work up an appetite. If you live in an area with fall foliage, viewing the scenery may add to the holiday spirit.
Have Quality Screen Time
Not all screen time is bad, especially when it's shared by the family. If your family members are sports fans, there is plenty of football to watch, but that's not the only option. Southern Living recommends hosting a movie marathon or watching your first official Christmas movie of the year. It also suggests a family video chat as an option.
"Even though you desperately wish everyone could attend the same get-together, sometimes it's not possible," says Southern Living's Nellah Bailey McGough.** "Whether calling cross-country or just in-laws a town over, it's always great to connect with loved ones on Thanksgiving. Schedule time for a video chat and check up on how everyone is celebrating this holiday."
Take a Walk Down Memory Lane
Since you have the family gathered, Thanksgiving is a great time to take a stroll down memory lane by sharing stories, photos, and videos from the family's past. It's a fun way for different generations to connect and for those who don't get to see each other all the time to get closer. Ask older family members to share stories from their childhood. Bring out old photo albums or share photos on your phone to pass around. Smiles and warm memories are practically guaranteed.
Many people think about turkey and football when they think about Thanksgiving, and there's no denying that these are time-honored traditions. You can add a little more to the holiday this year, however, if you make it a point to inject family fun into the experience. Show how thankful you are for your loved ones by spending quality time that you'll remember for years to come.
* https://www.calm.com/blog/thanksgiving-traditions-for-families
** https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-activities-for-family