43 festive Thanksgiving traditions to try this holiday season

Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday that brings families and friends together in a spirit of gratitude and joy. While the classic Thanksgiving feast remains a staple, there are countless ways to make the holiday your own. Here’s a list of 43 Thanksgiving traditions, old and new, to inspire your celebration this year.

1. Prepare your Thanksgiving feast together with family

Cooking is more fun with others! Get your family involved in cooking and preparing all the traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.  Assign tasks — like chopping, stirring, or taste testing — to make it a true team effort.

2. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Tune in to the iconic parade filled with floats, balloons, and performances. Don’t forget to stick around until the end when Santa makes his appearance! 

3. Break the wishbone

This tradition dates back to the Etruscans, when people believed the bird’s clavicle had mystical powers. After your meal, two people pull apart the wishbone. Whoever gets the bigger piece makes a wish.

4. Share gratitude

Go around the table and have each person share something they’re thankful for. Write the responses down to save in a family journal.

5. Volunteer for a good cause

Give back this Thanksgiving. Spend part of your day volunteering to serve meals at a local church or soup kitchen, hand out clothing and warm coats at a clothing drive, or spend time visiting nursing home residents.  It’s a powerful way to teach kids about giving back.

6. Watch — or play! — football 

Football on Thanksgiving has been a tradition since 1876. Watch a pro game or set up your own backyard match.

7. Run a turkey trot

Join a local 5K or organize your own neighborhood jog before the big meal. Many races raise money for local charities.

8. Host a Friendsgiving

 Host a celebration with friends where everyone brings a dish. It’s a great way to connect with your chosen family.

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9. Craft Thanksgiving decor

Gather leaves, pinecones, and pumpkins to make a centerpiece or garland. Kids can help by painting pinecones or tracing leaves.

10. Share a family story

Keep traditions alive by retelling memorable stories at the table, from past holidays, family milestones, or funny moments.

11. Create a gratitude jar

Throughout November, write down things you’re grateful for on slips of paper and add them to the jar. On Thanksgiving, read them aloud.

12. Make DIY Thanksgiving wreaths

Use a grapevine base, hot glue, and seasonal items like berries and acorns to create a festive door wreath.

13. Host a pie baking contest

Invite family members to bring their best pie recipes. Create categories like “Best Crust” or “Most Creative Filling.”

14. Take a nature walk

Bundle up and take in the crisp autumn air. Collect colorful leaves to press into a scrapbook.

15. Have a movie marathon

Watch classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or family comedies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

16. Host a Thanksgiving quiz

Prepare trivia questions about the history of Thanksgiving, fun food facts, and family-specific memories.

17. Start a new family tradition

Try something new, like a puzzle contest, karaoke, or a themed scavenger hunt.

18. Visit a local farm

Pick apples, pumpkins, or squash to use in your feast. Many farms also offer hayrides or corn mazes.

19. Plant a tree

Show gratitude to the environment by planting a tree together as a family.

20. Write thank you letters

Use stationery to write heartfelt notes to friends, neighbors, or teachers. Encourage kids to illustrate their letters.

21. Do Thanksgiving arts and crafts

Help kids make handprint turkeys, paper leaf garlands, or gratitude placemats.

22. Create a scrapbook

Print photos from past Thanksgivings and add captions. Leave space to keep adding each year.

23. Host a virtual Thanksgiving

Set up a video call for family members who can’t travel. Plan to eat together virtually at the same time.

24. Plan for Black Friday

Sit down together, compare store flyers, and make a shopping strategy. This can also be a chance to discuss budgeting with kids.

25. Watch the presidential turkey pardon 

This tradition began in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush. Watch the live broadcast together.

26. Set up a hot cocoa bar

There’s nothing better than a warm cup of hot cocoa. Make it even better by setting up a bar full of toppings — marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, you name it. 

27. Make a thankful tree

Cut out paper leaves, write things you’re grateful for on each one, and hang them on a small tree branch centerpiece.

28. Host a canned food drive

Collect nonperishable items with neighbors and donate them to your local food pantry.

29. Create a Thanksgiving playlist

Add cozy fall songs and festive tunes to set the mood. Consider including family favorites for singalongs.

30. Play board games and puzzles

Choose games that include everyone, like charades or Apples to Apples.

31. Book a Thanksgiving yoga session

Many studios offer themed sessions. Or, pull up a free video online and stretch together before dinner.

32. Explore local traditions

Look up local events like harvest festivals, parades, or seasonal concerts and join in.

33. Host a Thanksgiving talent show

Give each family member a chance to showcase their skills, from singing to magic tricks.

34. Capture the day

Assign someone to take candid photos or set up a DIY backdrop for group shots.

35. Make a Thanksgiving time capsule

Fill a box with notes, recipes, and photos, then open it next year to relive the memories.

36. Take a cooking class ahead of time

Many culinary schools offer seasonal classes. Learn new recipes to impress your guests. 

37. Create a family recipe book

Compile handwritten recipes from relatives. Add photos and anecdotes for a personal touch.

38. Decorate cookies

Bake sugar cookies in shapes like turkeys or pumpkins and set out icing and sprinkles for decorating.

39. Build a thankfulness chain

Write one thing you’re thankful for on strips of paper. Link them together into a colorful paper chain.

40. Have a Thanksgiving poetry reading

Read poems about gratitude, or write your own as a family project.

41. Create a harvest centerpiece

Fill a basket with gourds, apples, and flowers. Add candles for a warm glow.

42. Set up a DIY photo booth

Hang a fall-themed backdrop and add props like pilgrim hats or turkey legs for silly photos.

43. Reflect on the year ahead

As the day winds down, share hopes and goals for the coming year. Write them down to revisit later.

These Thanksgiving traditions can add meaning and excitement to your celebration, creating a memorable day for you and your loved ones. With a blend of cherished customs and new activities, your Thanksgiving can be truly special.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.