~ A New Tradition for Thanksgiving Dinner ~

Okay, so normally I don't do a post the day after the giveaway starts, but I just have an overflow of ideas right now. I need to release them from my mind...

Thanksgiving is coming up and I'm always keeping my thoughts on new traditions...cause, I love them! I previously posted some ideas on how to get kids geared up for Thanksgiving, found here. But, what about a tradition to do at the actual dinner?

Here's I came up with:

Thanksgiving Add-On Game

I know lots of families will go around the table and have everyone say what they are thankful for. That's sweet, but why not make it a little more fun? So, while everyone is eating, play Add-On! My kids love this game! It's really simple and I'm sure you've done it before...but, the first person starts by saying something like:

"I am thankful for Thanksgiving dinner." And the next person adds on to that.

"I am thankful for Thanksgiving dinner and football." Again.

"I am thankful for Thanksgiving dinner, football, and family."

"I am thankful for Thankgiving dinner, football, family, and slippers." etc., etc., etc.

You get the drift. You keep going around and around the table and see how well everyone can repeat the chain without forgetting anything. It's fun AND, it doubles as a way to hear what everyone is thankful for!

Thank-You Card Basket

Thank You Cards by Rigel Stuhmiller

When everyone is done eating and waiting to digest so, they can have dessert, try this: Quickly clear the dinner plates out of the way and place a basket in the middle of the table, filled with all things needed to write a Thank-You card. Tell everyone to think of 3 people who have made an impact on their life this past year (big or small) that they haven't properly expressed their gratitude for. Using the goodies in the basket, have everyone write 3 Thank-You cards to those people, seal and stamp them. Addresses can be found later, but a stamp will help ensure that it gets sent! This is a great way to reflect on the special people in your life and remember how thankful you are for them!

The basket could include:

Stationary

Thank-You Cards

Envelopes

Stamps

Pens/Pencils

Crayons for the Kids

Stickers

Scrapbook embellishments

Glue sticks

Scissors

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns, I am thankful that thorns have roses."

- Author Unknown

"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and receive without forgetting."

- Author Unknown