Families have all sorts of unique traditions, but the one that often rings true for many of us is a Thanksgiving with friends and family "stuffed" around the table. For many families, this year is par for the course, holidays are always spent with immediate family. For others, the pandemic has changed our plans this Thanksgiving. Many of us will be cooking our own meal and trying to find a way to make the holiday as special as possible for our kids who may be missing time with cousins and relatives.
Here are a few ideas to make this year memorable:
1). Play a family game outside
-Football, kickball, tag, horseshoes, chalking the sidewalk, etc. Something different you can do together.
2). Cook untraditional sides. Let each member of the family choose a dish for the meal.
-Nothing about 2020 is traditional, so why should the food be any different? Let each kid pick a favorite food to include on the table and help make it. Saw a dish you'd like to try, but Grandma doesn't allow alterations to her holiday menu? This is your year- go for it.
3). Whip out the "fancy" dishes and set the table
-Make the day special by using the good stuff
4). Turkey Headbands for All
Make them in advance or throughout the day, your kids will get a kick out of everyone wearing them for the meal. Here's a quick video.
5). Thanksgiving Crafts
-Have the kids craft while dinner is working. They can make placemats, name tags, hand turkeys, decorations for the walls and the table- let them go wild. Be sure to stock up on construction paper and glue first!
6). Jammies and the Macy's Parade
-Who says breakfast casserole and family jammies are just for Christmas morning? Snuggle on the couch and watch the parade together, maybe even start the morning with hot chocolate!
7). Zoom/video chat with family
-Zoom is lifting the 40 min time limit on free accounts for Thanksgiving day so you can chat and connect with family near & far.
8). Make a "Gratitude Display"
-Whether it's a Thankful Tree, Turkey, Cornucopia, or even spoken around the table at dinner, take a moment to tell each other what you're thankful for this year.
9). Surprise a neighbor with a treat (from a distance)
-Like to bake? Play ding-dong-ditch, but leave a pie or other dessert on your neighbor's door. Drop off a plate of food to someone who may not be able to get a homecooked meal this year
10). Do porch visits with family and friends
-Swing by Grandma's house and say hi from the yard. Bring some appetizers or desserts and "share a meal" from a distance.
11). Start a new tradition
- Why not try something new and see if it's a hit? Pick a movie or book to cap off the evening or whip out the board games for family game night. Growing up, my family always played Michigan Rummy after each holiday. It caught on, and eventually, everyone came to Grandma's with their dish and pennies to play after the meal!
12). Decorate the house for Xmas after dinner
-Clear the table and deck the halls.
13). Scavenger hunt
-Send the kids outside for a scavenger hunt after breakfast. Hide small items and treats for them to find.
14). Get Dressed Up
- Why not? Looking to make the day distinctly different than a normal dinner? Make it black-tie.
15). Service Project
- Make thank you cards for military, healthcare workers, first responders, etc. Deliver food to a shelter or food bank. Go through toys and decide which ones are ready to be donated this year.
16). Take a family walk
-Collect leaves and take a moment to relax
17). Pie making or cookie decorating contests
-A little friendly competition is always welcome in my house. See who can make the best _____. Winner earns bragging rights for the day.
18). Obstacle Course
-Set up a quick obstacle course for the kids to navigate (hopscotch, pin around 3 times, roll across the living room, etc). OR have the kids make an obstacle course for the adults!
19). Spoon Races
-Egg on a spoon and see who can make it from one side of the yard fastest. Channel your inner kid at field day and play these fun carnival games with the kids.
20). Fun food (fondue, s'mores, dips, hot cocoa bombs, etc)
-Fun food is memorable food. Dipping, roasting over a fire, pull apart cheesy bread- kids will love it and not miss the cranberry sauce at all
21). Play a virtual game (ie. Kahoots, Jack in the Box, etc)
-Connect with family for some laughs with a virtual game night.
22). "Thankful Jar"
-Each person writes what they are thankful for and you have to guess who wrote it.
23). Paint Night
-Follow along live for a FREE virtual paint night!
24). Set the tone.
-Rather than talk about the things you can't do this year, embrace the chance to spend quality time together and the exciting "new" things you'll be doing this year at home. It's not easy, but if we can put a positive spin on it, our kids will be more apt to roll with the punches and maybe, just maybe find a tradition they'll want to keep for next year too!
Have fun and know this year, as always, I'm thankful for you- my Macaroni Families!
