HG Openhouse Blog

One week from today we will be in leftover mode! It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us. This time of year can simply be overwhelming. Most women are maxed out on the stress of over-extended lives throughout the year, and then we add the holidays. Whew!!

Truthfully, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days. A day to celebrate with loved ones those things for which we are thankful. I spent some time with a group of friends this morning and we laughed about how it isn’t always bliss to get extended family together. Opinions and attitudes come to the surface and ruffle feathers . . . and I’m not talking about the turkey!

This year as our family gathers together I am hoping to begin some new traditions that will keep us mindful of the reason for the day. We enjoy so many blessings, my hope is that we might maintain our focus on gratitude. There are many ways to make giving thanks the theme of the day.

A few possibilities:

• A Thanksgiving Tablecloth – Use a plain white or off white tablecloth, and place permanent markers of varying colors on the table. Invite is person to write one thing for which they are thankful. Save and add to it year after year.
• A Thanksgiving Basket – Each person writes something on a piece of paper and places it in the basket. During the meal pass the basket and read these notes. You might even make it a game and try to guess the authors.
• Memory Sharing – Go around the table and invite each person to share a memory for which they are grateful. This one is a great way for the generations to get to know each other better.
• Thank-you Notes – Purchase a package of thank-you notes and invite your guests to write a note to at least one person there to tell them why they are an important person in their life.

I’m sure you have many other traditions that are a part of your celebration. If you are willing we would love to know about them. Those traditions often become the building blocks of our family gatherings.

My family has many reasons to thank God not only on Thanksgiving but everyday. The last few years we have had our share of upsets, difficulties, and challenges, but taking the time to focus on the blessings that outnumber the problems we realize that we have many reasons to say, “Thank-you!”