How do you normally celebrate Thanksgiving? Do you stuff yourself on the traditional turkey fare? Once stuffed, do you then collapse in front of the TV to half nap, half watch football?
Do you rush between houses to see all branches of the family tree? Or does your whole family gather in one place and play games, like perhaps a friendly match of touch football?
Last year Wayne and I went to Denver, where our families both live, and caught up with everyone. That was a big deal for us, because most years we’re pretty low key. Either we get together with other orphans (people whose family also lives elsewhere) or friends will ask us to join their families in feast and frivolity.
The biggest event for us most years (besides the eating part) is deciding which movie we’ll go see at some point during the day. Yep, as far as celebrations go, ours are pretty plain.
However…, I’m thinking of shaking things up and experimenting with something new this year. It’s nothing wild or crazy, just a notion inspired by some suggestions I read in a recent edition of Woman’s World magazine.
I keep a gratitude journal year-round, but Woman’s World had some twists on that idea. Mostly it was ideas to do with friends and family, but they would be fun just to do with a spouse too.
- The A-B-C Gratitude Game: Woman’s World suggested having each person at your Thanksgiving table state something they’re grateful for in alphabetical order starting with the letter A. Divide it between two, and that’s 13 things a piece to list. I’m trying to figure out what I’d list for Q, X, and Z if any of those fell to me, though. Maybe I’d cheat and put all three together to come up with: I’m grateful for Quite the most Xcellent HuZband.
- “The Best Thing That Happened To Me This Year” Game: This one sounded kind of cute. Woman’s World’s take was to cut construction paper into leaf shapes, put them in a basket in the center of the table and then ask everyone to write on a leaf completing the sentence: “The best thing that happened to me this year was…” With just two people you don’t even really need the paper to play.
- Ribbon Pie: This one appealed to my craftsy side. Woman’s World’s suggestion was to write on a slip of paper a different trait you admire and are grateful for about each of your family and guests who will be eating at your Thanksgiving table. You attach the card to a ribbon and at the other end of it put the person’ name. You put the card portion of the ribbon into the pie plate and cover it with butcher paper, making sure to cut a hole in the center where you’ll string the other end of the ribbon, the one with the people’s names on them, through. Then before desert you “serve” each person a piece of ribbon pie by asking them to pull out the ribbon with their name on it. I instantly thought how this could make a really romantic gift. A sort of “sweetie pie” if you filled the pie with ribbons just for your love.
- A Gratitude Walk: This one wasn’t in a magazine. I just sort of came up with it. It could even be combined with the A-B-C Gratitude Game. While walking with your spouse, list things you’re grateful for. Any kind of things. It could be as simple as just having the time to go for a walk with the one you love.
No matter how you celebrate the day, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Courtney Mroch writes about animals great and small in Pets and the harmony and strife that encompasses married life in Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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