Thanksgiving is this Thursday and while the main event is dinner, there are plenty of things you and your family can enjoy together while the turkey roasts in the oven.
1. Give back.
There are many ways you can give back on Thanksgiving, and what better way to give than with the whole family. Have the family give a meal to an elderly neighbor or visit a family friend who may need the company.
Additionally, food shelters need a lot of help this time of year. So, consider volunteering time to spread a bit of cheer and help serve dinner to needy families.
2. Spend the day outdoors.
Even if it’s a bit chilly out, you can still bundle up and enjoy the day outside before the sun sets and the dinner festivities start. This will keep everyone active and help keep the kids occupied while they wait.
For starters, many towns hold Thanksgiving Races or Turkey Trots for all families to participate in. So, if you’re willing to wake up early, consider registering for a Thanksgiving Day 5K.
If you’re not into running, try getting together with the neighbors and planning a game of football or other sports game with the neighborhood. Even something like a scavenger hunt will do, just get everyone up and moving. If possible, award the winners with a pie or other Thanksgiving treat for their hard work.
3. Skip the electronics.
Thanksgiving is about spending time with those who love you, so turn the TV off, shut your phone off, and put the iPad away. Unless you’re watching an old family video or sharing baby pictures, there’s no need to be distracted with your tech. Make it a challenge for everyone to step away from their phones and focus on each other. Reminisce on old stories or enjoy a board game like Monopoly or a card game like Uno together.
4. Crafts for the kids.
There’s no better way to celebrate a holiday with kids than with festive crafts. Creating something like a paper turkey hat or a wreath with leaves is a great way to tap into your child’s creativity while also creating fond family memories. Additionally, crafts that celebrate thankfulness are perfect for thanksgiving and help younger kids understand things they should be thankful for.
Better yet, consider setting up a table just for crafts. While the adults mingle and have fun, make sure the kids can too. On a small table put down a paper table cover, crayons, coloring books, pencils, and whatever else can encourage kids to have fun and create. Just be careful about art supplies like glue and paint, they can cause messes and ruined clothes.
5. Set up a photoshoot.
You don’t have to rent a fancy photo booth to capture fun memories, you can however create your own. Find a quiet, spacious, and well lit area in your home to set up. Designate a backdrop area and set it up. You can purchase a variety of Thanksgiving backdrops online for fairly cheap, or if you’re up to the challenge create your own! Find an old white sheet or blanket to hang up and decorate it with Thanksgiving themed decor, you can even use items from outdoors such as, leaves, pumpkins, twigs, etc. If you’re in need of some inspiration, you can use one of these free printables and DIY photo booth projects.
Next, set up a table with props such as funny hats, scarfs, glasses, or cut outs guests can use in the photo. You don’t need a fancy camera, a smartphone will suffice, but make sure you have some sort of tripod or selfie stick for guests to use.
Even better create a custom hashtag using the family name and encourage everyone to use it if they choose to upload the photos to social media later. This way you can find the pictures easily and use them in gifts for Christmas.
So, enjoy the festivities and fun with your family this year. Our insurance agency wishes you and your family a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!