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Unique Thanksgiving Traditions: Ways to Express Gratitude

Friday, Nov 16, 2018  |  admin  |  Latest News

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Family traditions during the holidays are a wonderful way to enjoy festive celebrations. Usually passed down from generation to generation, these carry nostalgia and are a sign that the holidays have truly arrived. As great as those cherished traditions can be, it’s fun to try some new ones now and then, especially at Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be grateful for (especially here at Harbor Club.) Try out some of these unique traditions this Thanksgiving to better express gratitude with your family and friends this holiday.

Write thanks on a tablecloth

Using a plain white tablecloth and some permanent markers, have each member of the family write down what they are thankful for. (Note: Be sure that your table is protected underneath.) Afterward, go around the table and give each person an opportunity to read what they wrote. After the holiday is over, wash the tablecloth on gentle cycle and put it away for next year. Over time everyone will enjoy reading what was written in the past while continuing to add to the tablecloth on future Thanksgivings. These remembrances are a great reminder as to what the holiday is about.

Add an extra place setting at the table

Whether there is a chance you’ll have an additional guest or not, add one extra place setting at the table. This could be a spot for a close relative who wasn’t able to make it to the celebration this year, or it could be for someone near and dear that has recently passed. Whatever the circumstances, this is a unique way to show gratitude and respect for those that couldn’t physically be present for the holiday.

Share your thanks as a host If you are hosting

Thanksgiving this year, write down why you’re thankful for each person at your table. Just a sentence or two will do. Then, tuck each small note under each person’s plate. They (and everyone else) will be pleasantly surprised and grateful when they discover your handwritten, thoughtful gesture.

Have everyone propose a toast

During the course of the meal, have everyone go around the table and toast to what they were most thankful for this past year. Be sure to include the kids (with their non-alcoholic beverages, of course) as you’ll get some funny, often heartwarming toasts from them too.

Make charity a theme

If you are having guests over for Thanksgiving, ask them to bring canned goods or gently used clothing that they no longer want or need. Now you know what to say when people ask “What can I bring?” Then, after the holiday is over, gather up and donate those items to charity. Alternatively, have everyone pick a day in the future to get back together and volunteer their time as a group. These are excellent and rewarding ways to remember the reason for the season but to also give back to the community.

Whether you are celebrating this Thanksgiving holiday near or far, we wish you a memorable one with traditions that everyone will cherish for years to come. From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.