Thanksgiving Fun
With Halloween almost here and Thanksgiving just around the corner we start to get the feeling that we are behind the 8 ball. After those two celebrations it is on to Christmas and so it goes. We get hectic, fall apart and forget the real meaning of these holidays. To spend time with family and have fun. And just how do we do that. Spend quality time with the family on Thanksgiving and have fun. Well read on and in this article I will share some ideas I have used over the years with my family. I hope you try them and they work just as well for you.
One of the first things you need to remember is that Thanksgiving is for giving thanks and spending time with your family. Sometimes we forget to take the time to be thankful and truly appreciate our lives and families. I know I do. It is hard to shift the focus from putting on a good spread. Don't misunderstand me here. You don't have to sacrifice the traditional food at all. I don't. Just make things easier on yourself and find that special time with your family and enjoy them.
One of the things I like to do when my children were young was crafts, Keep it simple, gather the materials ahead of time and get them out whenever you want. First thing as soon as guests arrive or when things settled down a little bit we became pilgrims or Native Americans. I had all the kids make paper bags into vests. You take the bag and cut the bag right down the front and make a circle in the bottom for your neck. Cut arm holes in the sides..and there you go a vest. I had crayons so that the kids could color on their vests. We make feather headbands or whatever you want for your little Indian. For those who wanted to be pilgrims we made pilgrim collars out of construction paper. We added other clothes we had on hand as well. This will keep your young guests occupied for a time while you get the rest of the feast ready. When they are done have a parade so that all the adults can see the kids. We also made turkeys by tracing the youngsters hands and letting them paint, color or glue things to them for decorations. Use whatever you have on hand. Kids love crafts so this is a great idea. Get the adults involved with helping the kids and have a great time.
Playing games are fun too. Have everyone pick out or bring a board game. Play in one big group or smaller ones. Try pin the feathers on the turkey, eyes on the pumpkin or arms on the scarecrow. Make on to fit your theme, grab a blindfold and get laughing. Bobbing for apples or making taffy are fun things too. My kids loved making taffy and pulling it together. We ended up sticky but this is a great idea to involve the whole family.
If the weather is nice go on a scavenger hunt. Give everyone or group a list and time frame. Ready, set. go...come back together and compare your treasures. Rake leaves into a huge pile and jump into them. When was the last time you rolled down your hill? Are you getting the idea here? Go back to your childhood when there was less on T.V. and not video games. Introduce your kids to hide n seek..No way! You are not too old...
Bake a special treat together or get our your old photo albums. Share your past with the younger generation and let them add their own memories to yours. Write them down. Make a scrape book of the day and let your children or grandchildren take it with them. The memories of Thanksgiving day will follow them for a long time.
Play Charades or do Karaoke. Put a sheet on the wall and shine a flashlight at it. Show your kids how to do shadow figures. Put on a play or watch a special movie. Just remember that whatever you do keep it simple and have fun together.
