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What would Thanksgiving be without its many traditions? Perhaps the most special thing about the holiday is the opportunity it affords people to take the day off from work and spend time with friends and loved ones, sharing feelings of gratitude for all the good things in life. Some people also use the holiday as an opportunity to attend special church services held in the morning. Prayer traditions before Thanksgiving meals vary widely from family to family. Often, prayers are said every year by the same family member, giving thanks for the countless blessings enjoyed. Some families prefer to rotate members, so every year; a different family member says the Thanksgiving prayer. Even more popular, every member says their personal prayer out loud, taking turns.
Of course, everyone looks forward to the grandest tradition of all-the Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving dinner consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, olives, cranberries and a whole variety of individual preferences. Baked pumpkin and apple pie covered with heaps of whipped topping seems to be the most popular choice for dessert. The same tablecloth, dishes and silverware are often used year after year and are part of the Thanksgiving meal. While is doesn't change how the food tastes, it does indeed set the mood for Thanksgiving festivities.
Another Thanksgiving tradition is the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City. If you can't get to the parade itself, at least you can watch the marching flotilla on television. The parade, which began in 1927, is a favorite for children with balloons, floats and characters larger than life. If you have a large family, you might also want to spend Thanksgiving Day drawing names for Christmas gifts. Have everyone complete wish lists and circulate them around. Be careful to set price limits. And remember, Christmas sales start the day after Thanksgiving!
As anyone who follows sports can tell you, Thanksgiving Day is also a big day for televised sporting events. Football is a big part of the day-half the family can help you clean up after the Thanksgiving feast, while the other half remains glued to the tube. If you're lucky enough to find a stray man wandering into the kitchen by accident, you can put him to work on the dishes!
Lastly, every family seems to have its own unique Thanksgiving traditions. Whatever yours are, make sure to kick back and enjoy this very special holiday.
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