Traditions, Gratitude, and Togetherness
While Thanksgiving is a special time of the year, I hope to convey ways to keep the Spirit of Thanksgiving alive all year long. Thanksgiving is a day to slow down, enjoy good food, and spend time with family and friends. But what makes Thanksgiving truly meaningful is the chance to reflect on what we are thankful for. Let’s take a closer look at where this holiday comes from, how people celebrate it, and why gratitude is so important.
The Story of Thanksgiving
What do you remember about the Story of Thanksgiving? Here are a few facts: Thanksgiving started around 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal to celebrate a good harvest. It was a way to give thanks for the food they had and the help they gave each other. Today, Thanksgiving is still about gratitude, but it has grown into a holiday that brings families and friends together.
While the traditions we know today, like turkey and pumpkin pie, came later, the Spirit of Thanksgiving has stayed the same: giving thanks and sharing joy with others.
Traditions Old and New
Thanksgiving is filled with traditions that many families look forward to every year. But most of all it is celebrating a meal with family and friends
Here are a few ways my family celebrated it:
- Butchering Meat: As a teenager, I remember my grandfather always either killed a steer or a hog on Thanksgiving morning. My job was to skin the hide off of the steer or scrape the hair off of the hog. Then later, we would cut up the meat and grind up hamburger or sausage and prepare the meat for the freezer. Of course the main work came after we had eaten our Thanksgiving meal!
- The Parade: When I was young, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiivng Day Parade, with giant balloons, elaborate floats, and fun performances was the first thing we did when we got up.
- The Feast: As with most families, we enjoyed sharing a big dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and homemade cranberry sauce that was placed in a special serving dish. There was always family that came from out of town as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins that joined us. And we can’t forget the pumpkin or pecan pie for dessert!
- Football Games: When all the butchering work for the day had been completed, all the men settled down and enjoyed watching football. Meanwhile, my mother and I were busy grinding and packaging the meat for the freezer.
- Friendsgiving: A fun way to celebrate with friends instead of, or in addition to, family.
- Giving Back: Many people volunteer at soup kitchens or donate to those in need.
- Creative Dishes: Some families try new recipes to mix things up, like adding international flavors or making plant-based meals.
- Ordering Organic Meat: Most people don’t live on a farm like we did. Instead, they order their meats from farmers like the one Linked Here
New Traditions
But new traditions are also becoming popular:
- Friendsgiving: A fun way to celebrate with friends instead of, or in addition to, family.
- Giving Back: Many people volunteer at soup kitchens or donate to those in need.
- Creative Dishes: Some families try new recipes to mix things up, like adding international flavors or making plant-based meals.
Why Gratitude Matters
Thanksgiving reminds us how important it is to be thankful. Being grateful helps us focus on the good things in life. Here are a few simple ways to practice gratitude:
- Write down three things you’re thankful for every day.
- Tell your family and friends why you appreciate them.
- Do something kind for someone else, like helping a neighbor or donating to a charity.
- Pay It Forward – When someone does something nice for you, do something nice for someone else.
How to Make This Thanksgiving Special
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just helping out, here are some easy tips to make the day even better:
- Plan Ahead: Choose your favorite recipes and make a shopping list early.
- Decorate Simply: Use fall leaves, pumpkins, or candles to create a cozy atmosphere.
- Include Everyone: Plan games or activities, like a gratitude jar where everyone shares what they’re thankful for.
If you can’t be with family or friends in person, try a virtual celebration! A call from our loved ones who don’t live in town can always brighten our day and hopefully theirs!
The Power of Traditions
Traditions are what give Thanksgiving its heart. Whether it’s baking pies with grandma, saying a prayer before the meal, or watching football, these special moments connect generations. Some families have unique traditions like going on a walk after dinner or playing board games late into the evening. Others celebrate by inviting neighbors or new friends to join the table. These small acts become the stories we remember and pass down. They don’t have to be fancy, they just need to come from the heart.
Faith and Gratitude
Another thing I remember about Thanksgiving is sitting around the table and as we join hands in prayer, I would often say the prayer that my grandfather taught me. He was taught to saythis prayer before a meal by his grandfather. The prayer is this: We thank you dear Lord for the manifestation of thy goodness. May it nourish us, strengthen us, and help us to give God the glory. In Jesus name, Amen.”
To this day, I still say this prayer before a meal. However I often add to it to include specific people or situations that we are mindful of and that we want to include in our prayers. As we hold hands and pray together the gentle squeeze of a loved ones hand as you are praying just makes me so thankful for my Faith and the feeling of Gratitude overwhelms me as I could have had a very different life and upbringing. My grandparents adopted me and my oldest sister and kept us from being put into the system. I will forever be grateful to them for that because it wasn’t common place back then for grandparents to raise grandchildren, let alone adopt them.
So for me, Faith and Gratitude are a part of my daily life and this special prayer before a meal always reminds me of my grandparents who have long passed from this earth. I hope you and your family can share your Faith and Gratitude to your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as I do with mine.
Gratitude and Togetherness Make the Day Special
Gratitude and togetherness are the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Sharing a meal is nice, but sharing time, laughter, and love is even more important. When we sit down at the table and give thanks, we create a space where everyone feels included and appreciated. Even if someone is far away, a phone call or video chat can make them feel close. Whether you’re with two people or twenty, the spirit of being thankful and being together is what makes the day so meaningful.
Thanksgiving All Year Long
You don’t have to wait until November to celebrate Thanksgiving All Year Long. Try adding small acts of gratitude to your daily life. Say thank you when someone helps. Help others when we can, Keep a gratitude journal. Give back by donating clothes, time, or even just kind words. Spend time with people who matter to you. The more you do it, the more you’ll notice all the good in your life. Take time each day to notice the little things that make us happy and tell others how much we appreciate them. Keeping that thankful mindset helps every day feel just a little bit more like Thanksgiving.
Capture the Memories That Matter
One of the best ways to make Thanksgiving truly memorable is to capture the special moments that happen throughout the day. Whether it’s a photo of the kids helping in the kitchen, a quick video of everyone saying what they’re thankful for, or a group picture around the dinner table, these snapshots become treasured keepsakes.
You don’t need a fancy camera, your phone works just fine. Try these fun memory-making ideas:
- Set up a “Thankful Photo Booth” with fall-themed props like pumpkins, leaves, and a sign that says what you’re thankful for.
- Take short videos of family members sharing what Thanksgiving means to them or their favorite holiday memory.
- Print a few of your favorite photos and start a Thanksgiving scrapbook or photo board you bring out each year.
Years from now, these little moments will bring back big feelings. And even if some loved ones can’t be there in person, sharing these photos and videos can help everyone feel a little closer.
Closing Thoughts
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate kindness, gratitude, and togetherness. No matter how you celebrate, remember that it’s the people and the love we share that make the day truly special.
Wishing you and your family a warm and Happy Thanksgiving!
Author: Kaye