Okay, okay…. we already know this Thanksgiving is going to look a little different. Here’s the deal though, we have the power to add some excitement into this Thanksgiving – even if you’re at home, unable to enjoy time around a big table with your extended family.
You might even find yourself quarantined, but I hope this list still allows you to tackle some of them. My goal was to keep it simple, yet fun, as I want my family to take these activities on as well. With a six and a four year old I didn’t want to get too carried away.
We have the opportunity to let go of the stress of go, go, go this holiday. That right there gives a lot of room to celebrate. Don’t get me wrong, the go, go, go can be worth it to spend quality time with others, but sometimes quality doesn’t exist when you are trying to fit SO much in. For our family anyway, we try to cram both sides in and it doesn’t allow for a lot of TIME anyway.
So let’s dive into this list now that we have let go of a little stress around Thanksgiving. See, we are coming out ahead already.
#1 To-Do Item: Fresh Air
Alright, I know I said this was a list to do with the kids, but we are going to start item number one off as one you can do with or without – depending on their ages (and if you have a spouse/significant other at home with you).
Let’s get out and get some fresh air first thing in the morning. If you’re still doing the whole traditional thanksgiving meal, your turkey is probably a lot smaller and your menu isn’t as big = more time (score)! Less time in the kitchen will allow for a quick early morning run. I’m going to be tackling a 5k with some friends (virtually). I have found that even in the cold, getting outside does wonders for my physical AND mental health. If your littles aren’t so little, maybe make this one a family affair. Here’s an article on ideas on how to dress in the cold while running as well, just in case you need it. So there you have it, item one, get out and in the fresh air – run, walk, bike, etc. You’ve got this!
#2 To-Do Item: Schedule Calls
Are you still with me after item one? Stick with me, I promise you will feel better after some fresh air. Now let’s move on to number two. Schedule FaceTime or Video Calls with Family. Technology is great these days for things like this. No, this does not have to take up your whole afternoon, no this does not need to include everyone on your family list. Maybe even let your kids pick out the list of people to call. Maybe it’s only grandparents that make the cut for Thanksgiving day. Work with the other parties on the best time during the day – avoiding nap times, crazy busy getting plates ready time, etc.
#3 To-Do Item: Pray & Connect
As it is Thanksgiving, let’s talk to God & our family about everything we are thankful for and ways we can give to others the rest of 2020. This one totally doesn’t need to be saved for sitting around the table. Feel free to sprinkle this one throughout the day, numerous times a day. Maye even come up with an alarm to go off throughout the day to connect and pray as a family. You could even work together to create a list of all the things you are thankful for. Find a fun place to hang it as a reminder of Thanksgiving 2020. It can also serve as a prompt to toss up future prayers.
#4 To-Do Item: Be Present
I know the item above was connecting and praying as a family, but this one is making sure your minutes are spent in the present. Past Thanksgivings may have brought you stress about how many more minutes you can spend at the current family members house, how many minutes are left on the food, how many people are coming… the list could go on. This year, be present. Be there, in the moment. Maybe this even means saying good by to technology for the day (except for your scheduled calls that you already have figured out the time for). Be present!
#5 To-Do Item: Who can you Star?
I received an email from Lifetree Kids with a fun activity to do this Advent season. I don’t want to rush the day of Thanksgiving away, as I mentioned to be present. But I thought this would be a good opportunity to put this item as number five on the list. The email I received included a fun event to do this season. It’s called “We’ve Been Star’d“. I’m not saying to do the whole thing – get the packages ready to star people, but I am saying as a family you could come up with a family or a couple families to star. We are going to try and do this in our house. I have already printed off the pages to give to people we will be staring, but I want my kids to come up with who they want to star. I plan on having each kid pick two people and decide what they’d like to go in each basket. Maybe I’ll even have them come up with a list of what they want in each basket – hot cocoa, popcorn, etc. Who knows, maybe this one feels like too much to add on your plate, but I thought it was a great way to bless it forward.
There you have it! That’s my list of five exciting things to do this Thanksgiving. Or at least our family will be giving it a shot. I would love to hear what you are doing this Thanksgiving. Does one of these items sound like something you will be adding to your list?
