Thanksgiving Traditions and a Giveaway

Did you notice I have a button now? Remember how I’m technically challenged? Well, hubby stepped in and made me a button and updated my page a little while he was at it. We’re both learning about these things, but he’s a lot smarter than me and can actually figure them out. So, you can grab my button now and I’ll (have hubby) figure out how to add yours to mine. Sound fair?

It’s Why Not Organize Something Wednesday. Today I thought we should talk about Thanksgiving traditions. Christmas is magical, but Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the traditions we had as a family when I was growing up and living in Indiana. Playing games on the game boards my Papaw made, staying up late in the attic bedrooms with my cousins, watching the parade and the yummy food we ate. Every timeI make egg noodles, I think of my Mamaw and making cranberry salad reminds me of the holidays spent with my Grandma. Using their recipes makes me feel closer to them and makes Thanksgiving even more special. 

We’ve started some new traditions in our family now and some have changed a bit over the years. Of course, we watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year. The kids are still in their jammies and I’m making salads and checking the turkey while we comment on the singing, floats, bands and balloons. And sometime that weekend we have to watch “Miracle on 34th Street”. I love that movie (old and new).

 

We sing, play the guitar and sometimes there’s even some Scottish or Irish dancing. There’s a lot of dance lessons on the Jacobs’ side.

The kids do some crafts, Thanksgiving and Christmas. They change every year as to what they are, but it keeps the kids entertained while we make the last minute preps for the meal.

A few years ago we started going to the movie theatres on Thanksgiving evening. When we first started doing this, we were one of the few families there, now it’s packed and we usually send someone early for the tickets. Maybe we’ll see A Christmas Carol this year.

If your family likes to watch the football game make sure you have other activities available for those who don’t want to watch. We are usually making cards, working on Christmas gifts or playing games.

We always go around the table, or later as a family, express what we’re thankful for. Some of them we have on video tape and it’s so heartwarming to look back on those, when the older children were young. I love listening to their little voices and hearing them express what they’re thankful for.

This year is going to be different for us. We’re going to be pretending Thanksgiving is on Saturday. Our 4th child, 2nd son is graduating from Basic Training in Kentucky the day before Thanksgiving, so hubby and I will be flying out there. Really bad timing, I know, but we can’t very well ask the military to change their graduation day. We can’t wait to see him. It’s been almost 2 months now with just letter contact. The younger kids will be staying here with family and then we will have our holiday celebration on Saturday when we return. We will be able to spend Thanksgiving Day with Adam before he leaves for AIT in Maryland for 5-6 more months. It will be great to be able to spend that time with him and catch him up on everything that’s been going on.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and make it special for your family and don’t forget to take tons of pictures. I want to see them all.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for this week. You have to enter by clicking here and don’t forget to leave a comment on that post so you’ll be entered. (I love comments!)

Jared Barnes is a wonderfully talented artist and has made a 2010 calendar that he has generously offered as a gift to 2 of you. The calendar is titled “Impressions of Christ”. What a lovely gift this would make for yourself or someone else this holiday season. If you don’t win one, remember you can always purchase one from him at Jared Barnes Art. All you have to do for a chance to win is leave me a comment.  That’s it, so easy and you could have one of these beautiful calendars of your own. The winners will be chosen randomly on Saturday, November 14.

Isn’t it beautiful? Good luck to all of you!

I’m linking to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family and Beautiful Life Friday at The Inspired Room.

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