Howdy Folks! Are you excited about Thanksgiving or maybe a little sad because it will be a smaller group and you miss your family? Well whether or not we get to be with our people I’ve come up with some ideas to make it more joyful. Here’s how to make good memories this Thanksgiving. And I think these ideas will work for a group of 2 or 20!
How To Make Good Memories This Thanksgiving
First you have to set the scene. Do you have favorite music you like to listen too this time of year? Even though it’s Thanksgiving, I want to hear Christmas music. But you might hate that. Maybe you’d prefer folk music, jazz or classical? Maybe you’d like dance music to jiggle off that extra turkey and dressing? Well, click here for a list of possible music choices.
Ideas One and Two
How about having your Christmas tree set up before guests arrive then have everyone join in and help decorate it? It’s best to go ahead and have the lights already on and if you are a particular kind of person (no judgement) you might want to add your ribbon and garland before they start on it. If you have littles around, separate the breakable from the non-breakable ornaments and have fun.
You could always watch a favorite Christmas movie together. The Mister doesn’t care for Hallmark so I don’t turn it on until after he’s gone to bed. But together we do like to watch Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire or The Bishops Wife with Cary Grant and Loretta Young. Can you guess my all time favorite movie to watch? If I said “You stink! You smell like beef and cheese, you don’t smell like Santa.” or “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” would you know what it was?! It’s ELF with Will Farrell and James Caan! LOL. I seriously love that movie!
Ideas Three and Four
Depending on when your family or guests arrive, you could have the little ones make place cards and let them choose where people sit. You might be amazed at how sitting next to someone different can make you smile. I notice when I sit next to my sister at gatherings, we laugh and chat much more than when I sit next to one of my own adult kids. 😉
Playing games like Turkey Bingo is fun. Since my family is older, we each bring a $5 fast food card like Chick-fil-a or Sonic for prizes. Do you have a fun game idea you can add to the comments? If so, please do!
Idea Five, Six and Seven
How about encouraging the entire family to go outside and play a game? If it’s nice outside, we’ll play cornhole. If you’re not into outdoor games, take a walk together. Just up and down the road or around the block. Try the dog park or you could go caroling! Everyone has a phone with caroling accompaniment and words if need be. If you have a park close by, give the kids a bag and let them participate in a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things like acorns, pecans, colored leaves, rocks, etc.
Idea Eight and Nine
I love looking at Christmas lights. So even if it’s only 2 of you, get out and see the sights. Don’t forget to turn the radio to holiday music!
Another activity to help make good memories is crafting together. You could make Christmas cards to send out or maybe ornaments for the tree. There are plenty of ideas on Pinterest if you have a creative block.
Idea Ten
My last idea on how to make good memories this thanksgiving is making a few batches of cookie dough to freeze for later. They’ll be ready for Christmas day or they make great gifts for the neighbors! Put them in decorated recycled chip containers (like Pringles) and deliver. Who wouldn’t want something they can put in the freezer and whip out if they have unexpected guests or if they want a quick pick-me-up?! I’ve made super easy flavored butters before and it was a huge hit! You know… A family that bakes together, stays together! 😉
Guuuurrrrl, I love this place! I’m getting older so……’every day above ground is a GOOD day!’ There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.
Author
Awe, thank you Denise. That makes my whole week! Hope your Thanksgiving is awesome.
Great list of ideas. It is always about making memories together. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving season!
Author
Thanks so much Pam. Seems like this year we all need to make good 2020 memories! Happy Thanksgiving
Where did u find the mini log cabin syrup? Would love to get one for my sister
Author
Aren’t those so cute?! Found those at Home Goods. You might be able to find them at World Market or a Cracker Barrel too.
Your ideas are wonderful! I’m actually looking forward to a simple dinner for 3, followed by decorating the tree. 🦃 🍽 🎄
Author
That sounds like a wonderful Thanksgiving Gayle. Don’t forget to wear your stretchy pants! 😉
These holiday seasons are all about memories that we can treasure as we grow old. These are some great ideas, i pinned them so i won’t forget, have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day. I am truly blessed for finding your blog, you bring me smiles.
Author
Oh my golly Marlene, you just made ME smile! I love hearing that. Thank you for being so sweet and such a faithful reader/commenter. I truly appreciate you.
Looking forward to Thanksgiving Bingo and outdoor corn hole!!! Mostly looking forward to the food and spending time with my awesome family!!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Author
Me too to all of it! Happy Thanksgiving!
You are seriously the BEST, Cindy Richter. I miss you every time I read your blog. Blessings on your holidays. You’ve certainly thought about all of our holidays!
Author
You’re going to make me cry! I miss you and that wonderful church family. I bet those precious grandbabies are getting so big. Please give everyone the best and biggest (the only kind you can give) hug for me and I hope your holidays are full of laughter. Love you dearly.
These are sweet ideas! I don’t like to do Xmas things until after Thanksgiving (I’m a stickler for giving Thx its due!), but I give everyone a little Xmas something (an ornament or Xmas dishtowel or candle, for example) along with their leftovers to kick off the Xmas season at the end of the celebration. Thanks for reminding me to choose some music for our Thx festivities! Cheers!
Author
Well I want to be one of your guests with leftovers so I can get a fun gift! That is a great idea! I’ll have to add that to my list. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. We all seriously have so much to be thankful for.
I love Thanksgiving!! So much to be thankful for! I love Thanksgiving bingo, family corn hole, all the delicious food! Most of all I love spending time with my family! Thanks for always making it so festive Cindy!
Author
My pleasure! Fun and festive is my middle name. Okay, maybe not but I’d like to officially change it. Feel free to call me that from now on. CFnFR are my new initials. 😉
I love all of these ideas! Well, maybe not the caroling. Ain’t nobody want to hear me sing. I’ll bet your holidays are super fun. Happy Thanksgiving Cindy!
Author
LOL Tammy, that’s why caroling works. I can’t sing either but being in a group allows me to mouth the words and no one knows. 🙂 We do have a good time. Hope your holidays are awesome!
So many fantastic ways to make the holidays special, Cindy, thank you! I love that you included outdoor events too because we’ll definitely be having more of those this year. Elf is my baby sister’s favorite movie too. She quotes it ALL the time! Now that the shed is finished, I’m looking forward to kicking back and watching The Holiday and sipping on a peppermint mocha. Big hugs, CoCo
Author
You deserve to kick back girl, you’ve been busy with your fabulous self. When we’d go to Florida for Thanksgiving, we always had a fire out on the beach and love love loved it! I bet I could sit and listen to the waves all night long. Enjoy your Christmas movie!
Thanksgiving bingo sounds fun. Growing up we would take walks to digest. I love both Holiday Inn and Bishop’s Wife! I love most classic Christmas movies 😊 I’m actually looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving this year and perhaps making some new traditions.
Author
New traditions is always good. I hope one day my husband and I can spend a Thanksgiving in Vermont or someplace fabulous like that. I’d love to not have to cook and clean then reheat and clean again! Hope you enjoy your day. Happy Thanksgiving Marie!
Love your list of ideas. Will absolutely be doing some of those. Thank you so much.
Author
Glad you found something to do that you liked. Hope your Thanksgiving is magical Linda! Enjoy.
Cindy, I love this sweet post.
Rachel
Author
Thanks so much Rachel. I hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful and full of laughter.
These are great ideas, Cindy. Pinning.