13 Ways to Celebrate (U.S.) Thanksgiving

Gathered Around the Dinner Table

1. Five Kernels Each
At one point the pilgrims had such meager rations. Give your family members five kernels of unpopped popcorn and ask them to list five great blessings in their life today.

2. Collect an Offering
Place a cornucopia on the table and invite family members and guests to fill it with spare change.

3. Go Wild
Serve a wild game dinner featuring "free-range" turkey, venison, or "first Thanksgiving" foods.

4. Thanks on Parade
Stage your own Macy's parade with your kids. Provide balloons that they can decorate to represent the things they're grateful for.

5. Pie and Praise
Invite church friends to bake their favorite pies and share them, along with prayers of thanks on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

6. Record a Video
Go around your Thanksgiving table asking guests and family members what they're thankful for. Take turns viewing the clip while dishes are being done.

7. Pass the Peace Pipe

Invite a Native American believer to your meal. Ask them to tell how Christians can reach out to residents on Indian reservations.

8. Give Thanks Jewish Style
Using Psalm 136 as a model, invite your guests to take turns saying in one sentence a way that God has blessed them.

9. Read the Proclamation
Abraham Lincoln's 1863 announcement is a good reminder of the purpose of Thanksgiving Day.

10. Remember the Persecuted Church
Take a few minutes to pray for those around the globe who suffer for the faith.

11. Get Out Your Favorite Board Games
After dinner don't turn on the TV. Instead, play together!

12. Go Take a Hike
Give thanks to God by exploring the beauty of creation. Spend time outdoors by planning a walk together around your neighborhood.

13. Retell Family Stories
Invite the older generation at your table to share their fondest memories of past Thanksgiving celebrations.

Works for Me! Visit We Are THAT Family for the Works-For-Me-Wednesday weekly carnival and more links to practical posts like this. Also, get to know the good folk at the Thursday Thirteen meme hub.

I'm indebted to CT's LeadershipJournal.net for many of the awesome ideas listed above.

Related

See my article Let Grandparents Shine at the Holidays posted at Chrysalis. Why not consider buying a vintage apron from Susannah's Aprons for your favorite retired relative?

Unbreakable Wine Glasses for your Holiday Gathering

If you're hosting a large group this year and you're worried about breakage, these polycarbonate unbreakable red wine glasses (above) from Susannah's Pantry are the perfect choice. A set of 6 glasses is very affordable at just $20.99.

"These glasses fill the bill of a good sized and shaped glass, especially for red wine, that is also relatively attractive and sturdy. The plastic is quite clear, but has enough imperfections that you wouldn't confuse it with glass."—Customer Review

Photos: Dean Forbes & AnotherPintPlease (Flickr)