We are hosting our first Thanksgiving this year and I am trying to think about how to make it special beyond the meal. I am having my husband give a toast (hoping it will be a really great one!). I have these "I am thankful for" cards that I thought our families could fill out while they nibble on appetizers (I've seen them on the table, but it seems like that would get in the way of the food). Growing up, we would go around the table and share what we are thankful for, but I am not sure we will do that. We usually take a walk in the morning, but I like the idea of taking a walk after dinner too before dessert. I would love to hear your special touches to the day!
Paint your own cookies (my kids LOVE this and we buy for a local baker and they made turkey ones for Thanksgiving - google it if you have never seen this!)
One of our local radio stations always plays Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" at 11:00 am. It's become a family tradition to listen to it while we are in the kitchen, immersed in the meal prep. Perhaps a more light-hearted tradition than you have in mind but we look forward to it every year.
It’s a ballad that runs about 30 minutes, written and sung by Arlo Guthrie back in the height of the Vietnam Nam War. The story is set on Thanksgiving Day. A funny song with a definite political point of view (anti-war). For more info, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-c...
It was made into a movie but, as I recall it, the movie was not nearly as a good as the song.
So I thought this was really fun, but I didn't get a chance to put it on while I was getting ready. I put it on when everyone was getting dessert and hanging out. Of course, I should not have been surprised that my father-in-law started talking about Guthrie being a socialist.....I think my conservative father appreciated it for nostalgia's sake!
Well, we didn't get a chance to walk after dinner so I think next year I would like to continue our tradition of walking in the morning. It is hard when you are hosting though!
My husband gave a nice toast and my brother-in-law read a nice poem from Richard Wilbur. The kids had fun coloring their turkey placemats. The "thankful" cards were really nice on the table and we can keep them to remember.
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