Looking for some fun and unique Thanksgiving traditions your family will love? You’ve come to the right place!
Thanksgiving is a time to come together with family and friends, enjoy great food, and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. While many families have traditional Thanksgiving traditions, why not add one or two fun and unique Thanksgiving traditions to your celebration this year?
By now you should have gotten rid of your leftover Halloween candy, so whether you’re looking for new ideas to add to your Thanksgiving repertoire or just want to get inspired, check out the following traditions that will have your family falling in love with Thanksgiving all over again!
Here are ten fun and unique Thanksgiving traditions ideas that your family will love and that will, in turn, make your Thanksgiving memorable.
Unique Thanksgiving Traditions:
Scavenger Hunt
This Thanksgiving tradition is not only unique, but also a lot of fun! Hide Thanksgiving-themed clues around your house or yard and let the kids (and adults!) hunt for them. The first person to find all the clues wins a prize.
Balloon Drop
Another fun and unique tradition is to have a balloon drop on Thanksgiving Day. Fill up dozens of balloons with treats like candy, small toys, or gift cards and let them loose in your living room or backyard. The kids will love chasing after the balloons and finding their treasures.
Thanksgiving Piñata
A piñata is always a hit at parties, so why not incorporate one into your Thanksgiving Day celebrations? Fill a piñata with Thanksgiving-themed candy and small prizes, then let the kids take turns whacking it until all the goodies fall out.
Thanksgiving Parade Viewing Party
Get into the Thanksgiving spirit by throwing a viewing party for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Invite friends and family over, make some festive snacks, and enjoy watching the parade from the comfort of your own home.
Friendsgiving
Celebrate Thanksgiving with your friends by throwing a Friendsgiving party! potluck-style meal and have everyone bring their favorite dish. Don’t forget to decorate with plenty of fall foliage and give thanks for your wonderful friends.
Thanksgiving Photobooth
Set up a photobooth at your Thanksgiving gathering and let your guests snap some fun photos to commemorate the day. Provide props like turkey hats, fake mustaches, and signs that say things like “Gobble til you Wobble” or “Give Thanks.”
Leftover Swap
After Thanksgiving dinner is over and you have plenty of leftovers, have a leftover swap with your friends or family. Everyone can bring their favorite dish to share, then go home with a variety of different foods to enjoy for the next few days.
Thanksgiving Volunteering
Spend Thanksgiving giving back to those less fortunate by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food bank. Not only will you be helping others, but you’ll also feel good knowing you’ve made a difference this holiday season.
Build a Gingerbread House
Get into the Christmas spirit by building a gingerbread house on Thanksgiving Day. This tradition is not only fun, but also a great way to get the kids involved in the holiday festivities.
Fun Thanksgiving Traditions:
Turkey Trot
Start your Thanksgiving Day off on the right foot with a turkey trot! This fun tradition is a great way to get some exercise before indulging in all the delicious food. Many cities host their own turkey trots, or you can create your own race with friends and family.
Football
Watching football on Thanksgiving has become a time-honored tradition for many families. Whether you’re rooting for your favorite team or just enjoying the competitive atmosphere, spending some time in front of the TV on Thanksgiving is always enjoyable.
Pie Eating Contest
What’s more quintessentially Thanksgiving than pumpkin pie? Make dessert even more fun by turning it into a contest! See who can eat a slice of pie the fastest or who can eat the most slices. Whoever wins gets to choose what kind of pie everyone has for dessert.
Leftover Lunch
After all the Thanksgiving feast is over, there are bound to be plenty of leftovers. Why not have a leftover lunch where everyone gets to create their own unique dish using leftovers? It’s a fun way to finish off all the food and you might even discover some new favorite dishes.
Turkey Bowling
This is a fun Thanksgiving tradition that the whole family can enjoy. Set up some bowling pins in your backyard or living room and use a frozen turkey as your bowling ball. You can even keep score to see who can get the most “strikes”.
Decorate Thanksgiving Cookies
Get into the holiday spirit by decorating Thanksgiving-themed cookies with your friends or family. This is a great activity for kids, and it’s also a delicious way to celebrate the holiday.
Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Spend Thanksgiving Day relaxing and watching some of your favorite Thanksgiving-themed movies. From classics like “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” to newer favorites like “Free Birds” and “The Blind Side,” there are plenty of great films to choose from.
Make Thanksgiving Cards
Show your loved ones how thankful you are for them by making your own Thanksgiving cards. This is a great activity for kids, and it’s also a thoughtful way to let people know you’re thinking of them during the holiday season.
Go Around the Table
A fun tradition to do on Thanksgiving Day is to go around the table and have everyone say what they’re thankful for. This is a great way to reflect on all the blessings in your life and to appreciate everything you have.
Traditional Thanksgiving Traditions
Giving Thanks
One of the most important things about Thanksgiving is giving thanks for all the wonderful things in your life. Before sitting down to enjoy the feast, take a few minutes to go around the table and have everyone say what they’re thankful for.
Turkey Dinner
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner typically consists of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, and pumpkin pie. Of course, there are endless variations on this meal, so feel free to mix things up and make it your own.
Family Time
Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with family and friends and just enjoy each other’s company. Whether you’re playing games, watching football, or just chatting, spending time with the people you love is what Thanksgiving is all about.
Decorations
Get into the Thanksgiving spirit by decorating your home with festive décor. Pumpkins, fall leaves, turkeys, and cornucopias are all popular choices. You can even make your own decorations using things like construction paper, markers, and scissors.
Black Friday Shopping
For many people, the day after Thanksgiving is all about getting a head start on their holiday shopping. Taking advantage of Black Friday sales is a great way to save money on gifts for your loved ones. Just be sure to plan ahead, be prepared for the crowds, and follow these Black Friday safety tips.
Why Holiday Traditions are Important:
Traditions Bring Families Together
One of the best things about holiday traditions is that they bring families together. Whether you’re decorating cookies, watching the parade, or just sitting down to a Thanksgiving feast, traditions are a great way to spend time with your loved ones.
Traditions Create Memories
Holiday traditions are also a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime. Every year, when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner or go on a turkey hunt, you’ll be able to look back and remember all the good times you’ve had with your family.
Traditions Keep Us Connected to Our Roots
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget where we came from. But traditions help us stay connected to our roots and remind us of the things that are important to us. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving with a big feast or a small gathering, your traditions are what make the holiday special.
4 Ways You Can Create Your Own Traditions:
Get Creative With Your Menu
One way to create your own tradition is to get creative with your Thanksgiving menu. If you’re tired of the same old turkey and stuffing, try something new this year! There are tons of great recipes out there for alternative Thanksgiving meals.
Decorate Your Home in a Unique Way
Another way to put your own spin on Thanksgiving is to decorate your home in a unique way. If you’re not into traditional fall colors, try decorating with bright, festive colors that will really make your home stand out.
Make Thanksgiving Day a Fun Day
One of the best ways to create your own tradition is to make Thanksgiving Day a fun day for the whole family. This can mean planning activities like a scavenger hunt or turkey bowling, or just making sure that there’s plenty of laughter and good cheer to go around.
In Conclusion
No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, the important thing is to take the time to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. From my family to yours, we hope you have a happy and safe holiday!
