Thanksgiving Heart
What’s not to love about Thanksgiving? Delicious food and time with friends and family abound during the end of November each year. We all have blessings in life for which we can give thanks and express gratitude – no matter what challenges and hardships we face. Are you looking for a way to cultivate a sense of gratitude and thankfulness within your home during this holiday season? What are some Thanksgiving traditions to embrace with your children – ones you can all look forward to year after year? We have a few ideas to share!
Thanksgiving Events
Attending an event can be a fantastic way to get your children excited about Thanksgiving. Make one or more of these outings a yearly tradition to have fun together as a family and to encourage grateful hearts. You can check the print calendar in this issue or our online calendar at neafamily.com for more ideas.
Thanksgiving Day Races. Run or walk in one of two Thanksgiving Day races in Naples, both of which benefit St. Matthew’s House.
• Check out the Gulf Coast Runners Thanksgiving 5k. This event, which starts and ends in downtown Naples, offers a free one-mile kids’ run for ages 7-14 as well as a free 100-yard dash for kids ages 6 and younger. For more information, visit gcrunner.org.
• Another option is the Gobble Gobble Four Miler. This event, which starts and ends in Venetian Village, also provides options for families. Children ages 6 and younger can compete in the Lil Gobbler’s Dash for a $2 entry fee, and all other ages can enjoy a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for $13 (price includes a t-shirt). For more information, visit gobblegobblefourmiler.com.
Faith-Based Services and Donations
Many area churches plan to hold special services during the week of Thanksgiving. Here are a couple options for area families:
• Center Point Community Church has a Thanksgiving worship service on Saturday, November 22 at 6pm.
• Covenant Church of Naples has a Thanksgiving service on Wednesday, November 25 at 6:30pm.
Some churches even offer large group meals in honor of the holiday during Thanksgiving week. Additionally, most churches accept food donations throughout the holiday season. These types of activities can be a good way to instruct children on the importance of gratitude and giving to those in need. Contact a church, temple, or parish for more information on ways to participate.
Fall Festival. Covenant Church of Naples provides a free fall-themed festival on November 13 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. There will be crafts, hayrides, inflatables, a climbing wall, and family entertainment. Dinner will be available. This night of fun would be a fabulous kick-off to the Thanksgiving holiday festivities.
Thanksgiving Activities in the Home
Cultivating a spirit of thanksgiving within your home during the month of November is a great way to set the stage for the Christmas season. Helping your children develop an “attitude of gratitude” is a worthy goal to pursue during in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are a few ideas for fun traditions in the home. Choose one or more of these activities to try with your family.
Thanksgiving Décor. Make putting away Halloween decorations and taking out Thanksgiving decorations a special event in your home. A harvest atmosphere in the home can serve as a reminder to be thankful for the daily blessing of food. And this distinction in decorations, even if just for a few weeks, emphasizes the distinct season of gratitude for life’s many blessings.
Family Affirmation Night. Challenge your family to intentionally encourage one another. At some point during the Thanksgiving season, plan to have a family affirmation night. Have each member of the family write down a word or phrase on a note card that describes and affirms every other person in your home. As you sit down together, take turns reading the note cards out loud. (For example, when it is Mom’s turn, have each family member read his or her note card that affirms Mom.)
Thankful Dinner. Have each family member nominate the food for which he or she is most thankful. Throw a Thankful Dinner one night before Thanksgiving that features each one of these foods. Even if the Thankful Dinner isn’t necessarily the healthiest meal ever prepared in your home, your children will certainly relish the tradition.
The “Thankful For” Board. During the month of November, have every person who enters your home, including you and your children, write what he or she is thankful for on a white board or chalkboard. At the end of the month, take a photo of the board and write the date on the back. Place each year’s photo in a small album.
Thanksgiving Meal Tablecloth. Purchase a canvas drop cloth from an area hardware store to use as your Thanksgiving tablecloth each year. Have each person who eats Thanksgiving dinner at your house write what something specific he or she is thankful for on that tablecloth in permanent marker, along with his or her name and the date. (Fine-tipped markers in a variety of colors allow for readability and a fun look!) Use the same table cloth year after year, and enjoy looking back at the record of blessings!