Thanksgiving Activities For Families: Creating New Traditions Of Love And Sharing

Thanksgiving is a special time for families, filled with memories, delicious food, and the start of the holiday season. For many, it’s a season of joy, laughter, and reuniting with loved ones. For others, it can be a difficult reminder of those who are no longer with us. Whether you’re excited to dive into Thanksgiving activities for families or feeling a bit of loss, there are meaningful ways to create new traditions that reflect the love of God and the spirit of sharing.

No matter where you fall on that spectrum—whether you're full of joy or carrying the weight of loss—there are some beautiful Thanksgiving activities for families that can bring everyone together and help you navigate the holiday with grace, love, and new memories.

Remembering God's Love In The Season

Thanksgiving often brings a mix of emotions. If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember that this season is a great time to lean on God and His love. Families often come together to celebrate, but if you're experiencing loss, you might be wondering how to hold on to traditions when things look different this year. The good news is, you can create new Thanksgiving activities for families that reflect both old and new traditions, while also embracing the love and support of your church community.

Sometimes the thing we need most during hard seasons is what we are called to give away. Sharing kindness and the love of Christ with others can help heal your heart and someone else’s, too.

Thanksgiving Activities For Families: Building New Traditions

If the usual family Thanksgiving traditions have changed for you—whether due to a loss, relocation, or any other life circumstance—it might be the perfect time to start something new. New Thanksgiving traditions can breathe life into the holiday and become a source of hope and joy for years to come.

Create A Gratitude Tree

One way to start a new tradition is by creating a gratitude tree. This is one of those simple but impactful Thanksgiving activities for families that everyone can participate in, regardless of age.

How to create it:

• Gather a few branches from outside, or use a craft tree from the store.
• Have each family member write something they’re thankful for on a small paper leaf or card and hang it on the tree.
• You can display this as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving meal or keep it in a special place as a reminder of God’s goodness.

This activity not only brings everyone together but also helps focus the holiday on the true spirit of Thanksgiving—gratitude to God for His blessings.

Honor Loved Ones Who Have Passed

If you're grieving the loss of a loved one this Thanksgiving, incorporating their memory into the holiday can be a healing experience. You can start a tradition where your family spends time honoring the person in a special way.

Ways to honor them:

• Share stories around the dinner table about your favorite memories with them.
• Prepare a dish that was their favorite or that they used to make.
• Consider donating to a charity or serving others in their memory.

By acknowledging their presence in your hearts, you bring both comfort and continuity to your Thanksgiving traditions.

Inviting Others To Share In Your Thanksgiving

Another powerful way to embrace Thanksgiving activities for families is by extending your celebration to others. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to invite someone new to the table, whether it’s a neighbor, a church member, or someone you know who might be alone this season.

Invite A Neighbor Or Church Friend To Dinner

The love of Christ is often best demonstrated in the simple act of invitation. Do you know someone who might be alone this Thanksgiving? A widow at church? A family that recently moved into the neighborhood?

Consider extending an invitation to join your family. This small gesture can go a long way in making someone feel seen and loved.

How to do it:

• Pray as a family and ask God to put someone on your heart who could use the company.
• Make it a new tradition to invite a different family or person each year.
• Encourage everyone to contribute something to the meal, whether it's a dish or a simple prayer of thanks.

Host A "Friendsgiving"

If your family is far away or if you’ve moved to a new city, starting a "Friendsgiving" tradition can be a great way to celebrate with those around you. Friendsgiving is all about gathering your friends (who might feel like family) to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

You can make it potluck-style, where each person or family brings a dish to share. This takes the pressure off one person to do all the cooking and makes it a group effort filled with love and fellowship.

Serving Others: A Thanksgiving Tradition Of Giving

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings we’ve received and consider how we can share those blessings with others. One of the most meaningful Thanksgiving activities for families is serving those in need. This act of love not only makes the holiday special for someone else but also creates lasting memories for your family as you serve together.

Volunteer At A Local Shelter Or Soup Kitchen

Many families choose to serve meals at shelters or participate in food drives during Thanksgiving. This can be a great way to teach your children about generosity and remind them that Thanksgiving is not just about receiving, but about giving as well.

How to serve:

• Contact a local shelter or church to see if they need volunteers.
• Sign up as a family to serve food, greet people, or help clean up after meals.
• Bring along a few baked goods or desserts to share a special treat with those you’re serving.

Create Thanksgiving Baskets

Another wonderful Thanksgiving activity for families is creating food or dessert baskets for those in need. These baskets can be filled with all the traditional Thanksgiving goodies—canned goods, a small turkey, rolls, pies—and delivered to a family that might not have the means to prepare a full meal.

How to create a Thanksgiving basket:

• Get together with your family to shop for non-perishable items that could make up a full Thanksgiving meal.
• Pray over the basket as a family before delivering it, asking God to bless the recipient.
• Deliver the baskets with joy and a spirit of love, knowing that you are the hands and feet of Jesus during this holiday.

Sharing God's Love Through Thanksgiving Activities

At the heart of every Thanksgiving tradition is the opportunity to reflect the love of God to those around us. Whether you are sharing a meal, inviting others into your home, or serving those in need, your actions can become a beautiful expression of Christ’s love during this holiday season.

As you gather with your family to participate in Thanksgiving activities for families, remember to let your actions speak as loud as your words. Thanksgiving is about more than just food—it’s about faith, love, and gratitude. Through these activities, you can show others the heart of Christ and make this Thanksgiving one filled with grace, connection, and joy.

 Grace and peace,

Alicia