Do your holidays look slightly different than your typical ones? I believe you can still make them extraordinary. And quite possibly, the best way to accomplish this might be to try something new. Discover today how to make your Thanksgiving remarkable. And please share a few of your traditions to help someone else.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)
Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions
My absolute favorite tradition is using our “Grateful Jar.” First, we huddle up close and pass around a ceramic pumpkin filled with kernels. We each choose three and tightly squeeze them in the palm of our hand, anxiously awaiting our turn to share. The grateful jar gets passed one by one, and each person shares their three biggest blessings of the year. Year after year, we hold up the glass jar and see the old mixed with the new ones, which brings our hearts to gratitude.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
Please join us on Embracing the Unexpected to share your favorite Thanksgiving tradition. Let's make this Thanksgiving remarkable! Share on XFavorite Decoration
One of my favorite items to unpack when it comes to decorating is our Thanksgiving tablecloth. It is unique because, over the years, our family and guests have written down their blessings. It is fun to remember who was here and run my finger across the names of those no longer here on earth.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving decoration?
Make Thanksgiving Remarkable
How about a new tradition or activity for this year? Please share your ideas with us.
One New Idea
Would you consider writing a handwritten note to each person in your immediate family or at your table? After all, receiving something written is so rare and a tremendous treasure. You could include how much you appreciate the person and specific details on what we are grateful for in each individual.
Please share with us how you will attempt to make your Thanksgiving remarkable.
Maree Dee Wishes You a
Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude
Discover how unlocking the power of thankfulness can help draw you closer to God and bring more joy into your life! Our 30-day gratitude workbook includes daily gratitude prompts, scriptures/quotes, and a place to record your thoughts. Our journal will be available free in November.
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These are great suggestions!
I am so glad you thought so. I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic. Maree
Thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving traditions with us. I love the idea of a grateful jar. Last year, we went around in a circle and talked about one thing we were grateful for, but three is better than one!
One is good too. I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving. Maree
I love your traditions, Maree! Each year, I make a breakfast pizza and orange juice for my family’s Thanksgiving breakfast. We set the table with pretty placemats and a candle. And I set five corn kernels on each plate. As we eat, we share five things we’re thankful for from the year and write them in our Thankful Journal. After we’re done sharing, we like to read through previous years and read what we were thankful for. We usually laugh at some of the sweet things our sons said when they were small (I am thankful for dinosaurs!). I love your idea of the tablecloth where people write their blessings. What a beautiful heritage to lay before your meal!
Jeanne, I love the journal idea. I found one I love on Amazon, but it won’t get here in time. The table cloth is beginning to fade a bit Maree
The Grateful Jar is a beautiful tradition. We used to do similar things with my immediate family but never ventured out to do it with our extended family. It would be great though with any group of people, large or small. Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, Maree!
It is fun with extended family. It takes a bit of time with a larger crowd, but it is so worth it. It is fun to see those that pass end up always wanting to join before we finish. Maree
Thanks so much for hosting this party!
You are so welcome. Thank you for joining us.
Thank you, Maree for sharing your beautiful traditions! I love the tablecloth with the written names and blessings. Wish I would have thought of that years ago! I also love the idea of writing a handwritten note, I am going to do that this year!
It is never too late to start! The only problem with the table cloth is it fades over time with washing. It seems people spill on it even though it’s not the one we use on our table. I might try a journal book that could travel with me wherever I am on Thanksgiving. Now, my mind is spinning. I loved Barbara’s idea of the leaves too. Hmmm. To be honest, I love Thanksgiving.
I like Angie’s emphasis that traditions ebb and flow over the years. Last year I put a paper tree on the pantry door and bought paper leaves in fall colors from Hobby Lobby, and the days before Thanksgiving asked everyone to write down what they were thankful for on the leaves and stick them onto the tree. I thought that would be especially fun for my grandson. I don’t know if we’ll do it again–I don’t know if anyone was that into it besides me. 🙂 But that’s ok–we try different things and keep what works.
Barbara,
I love that idea! Maybe I will try to do something similar. Thank you for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving!
Maree