Are you looking for a new way to spice up the traditional Thanksgiving celebration? Maybe you can’t go home this year because of work. Perhaps you have other reasons why a special dinner surrounded by family can’t happen. You might just be bored with what Thanksgiving has looked like for as long as you can remember. Create new memories and traditions by adding a unique twist to the holiday this year. Try one of the following ideas, and you just might find a new reason to be thankful.
Add Some Spice to Your Thanksgiving Meal
1. Thanksgiving Breakfast
If the idea of cooking a big Thanksgiving dinner leaves you stressed and anxious, host a breakfast instead. Schedule it later than a regular breakfast to give you the chance to cook without being in a hurry. Find a new way to include the festive flavors you’ve come to associate with the holiday, such as pumpkin pancakes and cranberry mimosas. Leave the rest of your day free for movies, a nap, or a walk at your favorite park.
2. Discover a New Dish
Look through old recipe files or cookbooks and find a recipe you’ve never tried. If you don’t have any family cookbooks, search for a new idea online. It might be a new way to fix turkey or an unusual side dish. Experiment with the recipe and create a new memory that might make it to next year’s holiday table.
3. Friendsgiving with a Twist
People who can’t go home for the holiday or don’t have close family often replace the traditional guest list with their favorite friends. Keep with that tradition but make it unique by asking everyone to bring a dish from another culture or a family recipe. Have them share the story of why they chose that dish before you start eating.
4. Enjoy a No-Work Meal
Instead of cooking for Thanksgiving, order a meal in. You can find local restaurants or grocery stores that provide a full meal with all the fixings. Another option is to get recommendations from friends for someone who would cook a meal for extra money. You could also invite everyone out to a nice restaurant, which means less cleanup for you.
Celebrate Outdoors
5. Thanksgiving Picnic
If the weather is nice, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy nature. Plan a picnic for your feast at a park, which saves time in cleaning the house before and after the event. You can also host at home with your backyard grill and fire pit. Provide plenty of blankets to keep away the chill and include a thermos of cider. Don’t forget the fixings for s’mores by the bonfire in place of a pie.
6. Gratitude Walk
If the thought of running in the local Thanksgiving 5K leaves you feeling exhausted or the idea of dealing with crowds in a large parade makes you run the other way, consider a low-key option instead. Organize a gratitude walk with your family or friends and walk around your neighborhood. Have each person name one thing they are thankful for at every block.
Counting Your Blessings
7. Gratitude Jar
It can be hard to stay positive during the holidays when you have more responsibilities and activities to manage. To counteract the negativity that often comes with this season, create a gratitude jar. Start early in the month and drop a note in a jar every day about something you’re thankful for. If you’re married or have kids, get everyone to participate, but it’s an activity you can do on your own as well. On Thanksgiving, sit down and read the notes together or by yourself if you’re single. Thinking of one thing to be grateful for will help change your attitude each day, while reading them all will make you even more thankful.
8. Volunteer
Instead of planning a meal for Thanksgiving, find a place to volunteer on the big day. Serve a meal at a shelter or pack food boxes for a food pantry. Come home to a simple dinner, which will help you remember to be thankful for what you have.
9. Gratitude Letters
Before the Thanksgiving meal, give everyone the name of someone else who will be at the dinner. Have them write a short letter to that person expressing their gratitude. Read the letters aloud at the table before you eat.
10. Create Your Own Tradition
If you like the idea of following the traditional Thanksgiving holiday, make it your own by adding one new tradition. It can be simple, such as creating a song list for background music or finding a recipe for a new drink to serve with the meal. This ritual can be a wonderful way to honor the traditions you grew up with while making the day more personal with your special touch.
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