Our family loves Thanksgiving weekend. A few years ago, we had some traditions we loved enjoying every single year. Now that kids have graduated and are juggling college and jobs, some of the traditions have had to be changed while others remain the same.
Wednesday morning, Thanksgiving Eve, our youngest had a half day of school while our daughter did not. We would drop him off, then come home and enjoy donuts, orange juice/coffee and a chick flick that no one else in the family wanted to watch.
The afternoon was spent baking, finishing up work, or generally getting ready for the long weekend together.
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was spent with family, but first we would eat donuts and watch the Thanksgiving Parade. Thursday night we would either start on our Black Friday shopping or simply enjoy being together watching TV and relaxing.
Friday, Black Friday, we would get up early as a family and go shopping. Sometimes we had a long list of what people would want; other years we bought a few things but mainly enjoyed the beginning of Christmas music, our yearly tradition of breakfast at McDonald’s and taking in the festive attitudes around us.
Friday afternoon (many years ago) would find me and our kids heading back to family’s house to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. Other years, after they had moved away, we would put up the Christmas tree, shop some more, or go back to bed.
Saturday was either putting up the Christmas decorations around the house or more shopping for others for Christmas.
Sunday we always head to church, then relax the rest of the afternoon getting ready for another busy week of work and school.
While our Thanksgiving weekends look a little different now, we still make time to spend with family and extended family as much as possible. We still use it to turn our hearts to Christmas and begin to celebrate the real reason for the season.
What about you? How did you spend Thanksgiving this year? What are some of your favorite traditions or memories?
© Cheri Swalwell 2022