Thanksgiving TRADITION Ideas

Keep a 'Thanksgiving Journal' -
Several families have a special journal used only at Thanksgiving (can be as simple as a decorated looseleaf binder, or a special bound journal book). They invite each family member to write something in the journal that they are thankful for that year, or a short summary of their blessings. Guests can also register their thoughts. If desired add photos from the day's events. As the years go by, the journal becomes a treasured family reminder of blessings.

Have each family member record a list of the things he or she is thankful for; then seal the lists in an envelope or "time capsule" to be read at next year's dinner. Each year, review as a family the lists from the previous year, then create a new list for next year.

Before beginning the Thanksgiving dinner, each person takes a turn to share one or two things they are grateful for this year. Start with the youngest; each succeeding person must think of something that hasn't been said yet! Variation: have each person repeat the things said by all the previous people in order, then add one of their own.

Have each person come prepared with a poem, scripture, thought, story, etc. to share before dinner that helps bring a spirit of thankfulness.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, encourage family prayers to focus on being prayers of thankfulness; don't ask for additional favors, just express gratitude for the blessings you have received.

To make the "sharing" of blessings more interesting, pass around a bowl of M&Ms or other small candies, or grapes, nuts, etc. Each person must state something they're thankful for before they can take a candy. Continue going around the table until the bowl is empty.
Variation: if you say something someone else already said, you have to give your piece of candy to them.

To illustrate how many blessings you really have, give each person several marbles or other small objects. Then pass around a cup - each person names a blessing and adds a marble to the cup. Soon the cup will be "running over" with blessings.

Write the alphabet on a poster. Starting with "A" list some things you are thankful for that start with that letter. Let the whole family participate. Variation: have each person write down a thing starting with that letter; if you think of something no one else in the room has, you get a point - most points gets a treat!

Hang a piece of poster paper on the wall. Have each person draw a turkey ("primary-style") by tracing their hand and decorating; on the thumb and fingers, write five things you're thankful for.

Keep a basket (or a cornucopia, or box decorated as a turkey, etc.) in a prominent place in the home. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, each family member writes on slips of paper things they are thankful for. On Thanksgiving day, read through the slips. Add some interest by guessing who wrote each item!

Write the things you're thankful for on colored paper "feathers" that can be used to decorate a turkey (made from a box or milk carton), which can then be used as the centerpiece of the dinner table.

Make a "tree" out of a grocery bag or poster paper, with the trunk and branches. During the days leading up to Thanksgiving, have family members add "leaves" of colored paper to the tree, each listing something they're thankful for. Variation: have the "tree" show the "family tree" of names to help remind children of their ancestry.

Have a family member or members prepared to review the events of the first Thanksgiving celebrations (pilgrims, Indians, etc.) and compare the blessings of your life with the challenges of the past.

EXPRESS APPRECIATION -
Many families take advantage of the holiday to write notes or letters of appreciation. Some families make a special effort to focus on people who don’t usually get thanked or recognized - teachers or school staff, mail carrier, store clerks, church leaders or teachers, neighbors, work associates or supervisors. Let each family member choose the person or persons they want to thank. Some families mail the notes anonymously; some try to deliver them in person with a small gift.

FAMILY RECOGNITION -
Take advantage of having extended family members together to have a “family recognition” service, noting special achievements during the past year. This is also a good time for a talent show or performances by family members; or for sharing of family history stories or memories of older family members.

NOTES OF APPRECIATION -
Write the names of everyone who will attend your dinner on slips of paper, and have each person draw a name. Then have them write a short note of appreciation to that person before dinner; take turns reading the notes aloud before or during the meal. Save the notes in a Thanksgiving journal or family album.

SHOW THANKS THROUGH SERVICE -
Many families have a tradition of service in connection with the holiday. Some examples:
- spend part of the day helping in a homeless shelter or other service providing special dinners on Thanksgiving
- donate all the ingredients for a dinner to a needy family in the ward, neighborhood, or city
- spend the morning helping do yard work or some other needed service for an
elderly neighbor.
- visit in a hospital or elderly care center

CREATE FAMILY MEMORIES -
Many families have traditional activities for family members to help keep the kids occupied or out of the way while the meal is being prepared: - neighborhood football game (no matter the weather), or other outdoor games - go on a hike or bike ride to enjoy the outdoors

FIND SOMEONE TO INVITE -
Many families make special efforts to invite others to participate with them in their Thanksgiving celebrations: neighbors, elderly, college students, those living far from family, persons of other nationalities or cultures, etc.

Gene Cook
Gratitude List
Make a list (alone or with your family) of the things God has given you.
“Pray as fervently in gratitude after your faith is rewarded as you did while asking for the thing you received.” Raising Up a Family to the Lord; Teaching Your Family to Live by the Power of Faith, p. 170

Thanksgiving Cards
Send in lieu of Christmas Cards. Write a note of thanksgiving, a poem, a sentiment on friendship.

Scott Anderson
Gratitude Fast
Before Thanksgiving Dinner (or on any fast day) center a fast solely on gratitude to God for His bounteous blessings.

Randal A. Wright
“Find a private place and kneel comfortably and calmly in the center of the room. For a few moments say nothing, just think of Him. Just kneel there and feel the closeness of His presence, His warmth, His peace. With humility, express your gratitude for every blessing, every good thing you enjoy. Share with Him your problems and fears. Talk to Him about each one and pause long enough to receive His counsel.” Why Say No When the World Says Yes, p. 51

One couple I know, every night at the dinner table, tells each other "3 Good Things" about their day. Their thoughts are focused on the positive all day, looking for what to share with each other that evening.

Record any activities you can think of to help you develop more gratitude and/or to help you express more gratitude


A Week of Family Devotionals
Ed Pinegar - Gratitude
Gratitude, which means thankfulness, is an expression or acknowledgment for a favor or kindness received. Why Gratitude?

When we say "thank you" by word or deed, it is not only a polite expression, but it also shows our love and appreciation. Because the Lord has done so much, including giving us life here on earth, the gospel and plan of salvation, and the opportunity for exaltation, we ought to give him thanks for these many blessings.
Gratitude gives rise to love, and love in action is righteous service.

Week Lesson: To count our many blessings and become more grateful for them.

"How grateful our souls should be when we contemplate our surroundings and our wonderful opportunities!" (George Albert Smith)

Purpose of the day: To show gratitude for God, for life on earth, and for our families. (Read Psalm 100:3-4)

Application: We will read 2 Nephi 9:52; D&C 59:7; and Revelation 7:12. Then we will write a letter of thanks to our parents for their giving us birth.

Purpose of the day: To learn that singing is one way of saying thanks to God. (Read Psalm 95:1-2 and D&C 25:12)

Application: With our family, we will sing or read the words of one of the following hymns: 94, "Come, Ye Thankful People"; 19, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet"; or 241, "When Upon Life's Billows." We will then discuss the blessings listed in the song.

Purpose of the day: To show gratitude in prayer for all blessings, not just some. (Read D&C 46:32)

Application: We will explain to a child how a prayer of thanksgiving is said. If we are not around a child to do this, we will write a letter to someone (preferably a child) explaining a prayer of thanksgiving.

Purpose of the day: To learn that gratitude brings blessings. (Read D&C 78:19)

Application: One writer has said, "Gratitude to God makes even a temporal blessing taste of heaven" (Romaine). We will observe today how expressions of gratitude bring us happiness.

Purpose of the day: To be grateful for the blessings of agency, of being able to choose right from wrong, of making choices in life. (Read 2 Nephi 2:16)

Application: We will read 2 Nephi 2:26-27 and then write down why we appreciate having free agency from God.

Purpose of the day: To learn gratitude for the blessing of God keeping his promises. (Read D&C 109:1)

Application: We will visit a friend who is sick or troubled and help him to see that God always keeps his promises, no matter what the circumstances.

Purpose of the day: To be thankful for our country. (Read Psalm 33:12)

Application: We will tell the Lord that we appreciate the land in which we live and will then try to make our community a better one.
(Ed Pinegar, You, Your Family, And the Scriptures: Gratitude, page 108-110)