About a generation ago, all the stores closed on Thanksgiving Day. Now, black Friday sales begin taking place during the month of November, even before Thanksgiving. Rushing through dinner to jump on sales has become a common activity for many families. But slowing down a bit and taking time to nurture a Thanksgiving tradition or two can make the Thanksgiving holiday much more meaningful.
Here are 7 ideas to consider for growing closer as a family.
Photo Credit: ©Getty/Drazen Zigic
This doesn’t have to be a professional portrait, and might be less stressful if it isn’t. But just taking a moment to gather everyone together in the living room or family room for a photo memory makes for a nice tradition that’s easy to pass along from generation to generation. Many cameras, even cell phone cameras, have a timer function so that everyone can be in the picture.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Monkey Business Images
If the weather is nice, consider enjoying a bit of time out in nature together. This can be done either before or after dinner, depending on whether dinner is earlier in the day or not. Each person could take a moment to share a favorite Thanksgiving memory from the past as everyone moves along on the trail.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
Whether it’s salad prep, mashing the potatoes, putting the cranberry sauce in a dish, or putting the biscuits on a pan that Mom then slides into the oven, letting the kids help can be a time of bonding, laughter, and sweet memories. Of course, the items you choose to delegate will depend on the age and ability of each child (or maybe teen).
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Filadendron
Encourage everyone to eat around the table and at least temporarily turn off electronic devices and televisions. After praying over the food, have everyone share one of their favorite things about the Thanksgiving holiday or one thing they’re grateful for in general and why, such as good health, a comfortable place to live, friends, etcetera.
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/cottonbro
This is another idea that could work either before or after dinner. A couple of games that can help usher in some fun include “Would You Rather” and “Mad Libs.” There’s a Thanksgiving version of each of these that can be purchased on Amazon. Click here for “Would You Rather” and here for “Mad Libs.”
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/SeventyFour
Another fun game that’s sure to help families create memories and maybe some hilarious photo or video memories for whoever happens to be quick with their phone is “Thanksgiving Charades.” Set-up is as simple as pouring the cards into a bowl and acting out whatever you draw out of the bowl. Click here for details about the game and how to purchase it.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/SeventyFour
Yeah, Thanksgiving is really supposed to be about turkeys, but this will offer a fun change and a hilarious family tradition that might give the kids something to write about when they go back to school on Monday. This particular game, which is called “Flickin’ Chicken,” involves rubber chickens and winging them toward a target. It’s not as easy as it sounds since these chickens will bounce and roll wherever they please when they land. For more information on this game and where to purchase it, click here.
Traditions give a sense of security to children, help cultivate family bonding and can be relaxing. In addition, they help build a sense of values, purpose, and identity, according to WebMD.
Family traditions also help cultivate a sense of belonging, unity, and connectedness. Ideally, holiday traditions give members of the family something to look forward to when they gather to celebrate together, according to Focus on the Family.
God used traditions and feast days to help the Israelites remember what He did for them and also to help Jewish parents intentionally pass those truths on to their children and teach them about the things of God, according to Family Life. We can do the same thing with Christian traditions and Christian holidays.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Geber86