By Krystle J Bailey
The holidays are all about traditions, love, and family. It’s easy to get lost in the chaos and craziness of the holiday season as you make your lists and check them twice. It’s the family traditions that keep us grounded and connected during this time.
Traditions are always evolving in my family. Kids grow older while family dynamics change as we lose loved ones, welcome new babies, and celebrate marriages or adjust to divorces. The family unit is always changing, each year bringing a slightly new group of family members gathered around the kitchen table.
If there’s one thing we know to be a constant in this life, it’s that things change. In our family, we’ve learned to tweak traditions and allow them to evolve with our ever-changing lives. A few things have stuck from generation to generation, but we also like to try new traditions on for size.
Check out these Thanksgiving traditions and try something new this year. Whether you use these ideas, create your own, or stick with the traditions that have been in your family for generations, may your Thanksgiving week be filled with love and peace.
Share family stories
Start with the eldest family member in the room asking them to share a family holiday story that is close to their heart. Continue around the room, sharing meaningful moments and hearing the different perspectives. You could use this time to record the stories and begin a family legacy book to be shared with generations to come.
Untangle the Christmas lights
Keep the young ones entertained, make it a team building activity, or create a friendly challenge to see who can untangle the holiday light the fastest. Many families welcome their Elf on the Shelf the day after Thanksgiving, so this family activity is a great way to set he mood as we enter into Christmas season.
Write thank you cards
Break out the crafting supplies and encourage your family to write a thank you card to someone in the room that they’re especially thankful for this year. At the dinner table or after dessert, exchange cards with your loved ones.
Start an growing family recipe book
There is nothing like those old recipe cards from grandmom’s house for a dose of nostalgic family love each holiday. Begin a growing recipe book this year by adding all of the long-standing family recipes then inviting Thanksgiving dinner attendees to contribute a new recipe. Bring out the recipe book each year to try new dishes and add to the collection.
Take an annual family picture
The family is always growing and changing. Take a family picture each year then print them out for the years ahead. Each holiday, hang up the pictures from years past to celebrate how your family has grown and changed over the years.
Learn about traditions around the world
Many would argue that Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, however many countries around their world celebrate the annual harvest in different ways. Countries such as the Netherlands, Brazil, Canada, India, and Japan all celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving. Take some time with the kids to learn about how other cultures celebrate the holiday and consider incorporating some of those traditions into your Thanksgiving Day.
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving, however you choose to celebrate.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
