Writing thankful notes for Thanksgiving has become a treasured tradition at our house.
Before the kids arrive, I place slips of paper and pens out for them to write down things they are thankful for or blessings that have come into their lives that they want to share with the family.
Later in the evening, after Thanksgiving dinner has settled, we all gather around the kitchen table, eat pie, and share our thankful notes with each other. The youngest grandchild to the oldest adult participates. All twenty eight of us! This tradition has brought our family closer together. It provides the perfect setting for each of us to reflect on the past year and the opportunity to count our blessings!
In each family member's thankful note, FAMILY is always the first thing on the list. Love and appreciation for one another are common themes running through the notes.
Is it any wonder that Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings and giving thanks for our bounteous blessings and harvest! Creating memories and traditions binds families together across all generations.
Writing prompt #5: Write a post in just 12 lines.
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that's a great tradition.
ReplyDeleteCarol, do you give writing prompts for the notes, or is it completely random? Does each person read his or her own note / more than one note? I think I would like to give this a go this Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, I don't give prompts because I want them to think and reflect and internalize what they are thankful for. They come up with their own thoughts. No prompting. Although, I saw something on pinterest the other day where they supply a list of prompts for this activity. Do you want me to send you the link to the post?
DeleteHow are you doing anyway, my friend? Getting ready for Thanksgiving?
What a great tradition! Sadly, I think if I would try this in my family it would become a battle to see who could come up with the most hilarious and inappropriate entry. Bunch of jokers, we are.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. It really put me into the mood for the holidays.
Oh I think humor and jokes would be fun and very appropriate. You really should do it and share some of your responses. Would love have a good laugh!
DeleteWhat a wonderful tradition!!! I'm going to try it with my family. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Have fun!
DeleteThat is a very cute tradition. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great tradition!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely tradition! I can state unequivocally that each and every member of my family that shares Thanksgiving dinner would rather pull their fingernails out one by one than do that, or if they DID write anything, they would be smart ass comments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea! I love that the kids participate too which helps them appreciate gratitude. It must be very touching to listen to what everyone is grateful for in their lives.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lori, listening to what everyone is grateful for is very touching and reminds us of the things that are most important.
DeleteTHIS is my kind of Thanksgiving. I am glad that everyone gets into the spirit, and that the tradition bonds you. The security of family love makes such a difference in our lives.~May
ReplyDeleteThank you May. This tradition actually helps me, and hopefully the rest of the family, get into the right frame of mind for the Christmas season.
DeleteI love this idea! I'm making a thankful tree this year for a project and I hope it turns out as nice as that little pile of thankful notes you shared!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure it will. It would be fun to see it when you get it done. I saw a thankful tree on Pinterest that I thought was a great idea and it looked real nice, too.
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