Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Fun, Encouraging Thanksgiving Tradition for Families

When our kids were small, we started a Thanksgiving Tradition that has continued to this day, and is a great source of fun and encouragement. We put each person’s name on a slip of paper and drop in a basket or hat. After the meal, everyone draws one name from the basket—no peeking!

     Then we sit with pen or pencil and paper—fancy stationery or plain copy paper—and write that person a note telling them why we are thankful for them. When the children were too small to write, they whispered their dictations to us.

     When all are completed, we go around the table and read them aloud. Some bring laughter,
others tears, all a sense of kinship and gratitude.

     How amazing it’s been to see the Lord’s hand at work during these “Thankful Letter” moments. A sister forced to write why she was thankful for her ornery little brother sees him in a new light for a moment; a dad suddenly realizes he needs to express his esteem for his son more often; a spouse receives a compliment for a quality they thought had gone unnoticed.

    Hearts stir to new feelings of love and affirmation. God is proud. We are ministering to each other
the way He intended when He created the family, bringing out the gifts in one another’s lives.  Thanksgiving becomes a time of refreshing our commitment to the ones we love most.


     Do you practice Thanksgiving traditions in your family? 


3 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful idea, Jen! So glad you shared it. We might have to start this one at our house. Our Thanksgiving traditions include dressing up and gathering for a meal, and sharing love and laughter. We also celebrate our grandson's birthday, which is November 27. He will be 8 this year, and I have a little treasure hunt (for his gifts) planned. Actually that's another tradition, I started the treasure hunt thing when he was about 3 or 4, I think, and he asks for it every year now. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  2. Oh my gosh, I love this! I think I will add it to our Christmas celebration this year. Thanksgiving has already passed for me. So often we do not daily tell what we appreciate about another. A note can be kept too, rather than just words spoken.

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