Thanksgiving, for many families, is about one day where they sit around a table, eat turkey and try to be grateful for what they have. The rest of the weekend is frequently uneventful and boring. This is because most people don’t know about the wealth of activities unique to this time that they can be enjoying with their family! Here are a few ways to spice up your Thanksgiving weekend this fall.
Thanksgiving weekend is a cornucopia of family activity ideas!
Why not do something that reminds you of what this weekend is about? Get your family involved in your community! Volunteer at your local soup kitchen or have your family members donate old, unwanted items to those in need. It is this time of year that donations are especially important; many families will be struggling to afford the holidays and it is up to the generous donations of others who can afford to help them to do so.
Many families sit around the television Thanksgiving morning and watch the parades around the world. If you live close enough to one of these areas, plan to go for once! I can promise it is definitely worth it. …But just because you don’t live in one of the iconic areas doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of the excitement for yourself! Check to see if there are any festivities in your area that your family can be a part of. These might include parades, fairs, or even carnivals. For those who wish to ‘get away’, there are always special vacation packages available for this time of year. Keep your eye out for them.
For those who choose to stay close to home, there could be some autumn-themed events going on that you didn’t even know about. Many local farms will host events geared towards the beauty of the harvest. Although the harvest season is mostly over by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, there are still plenty of places that will remain open throughout November. It’s best to call ahead to see what the schedule is for each locale.
Why not go for a hayride or explore a corn maze? Kids can have fun making a scarecrow or watching demonstrations on how baked goods are made from fresh ingredients (even if their favorite part is eating them). There are some places that will let you pick apples and pumpkins for yourself and purchase them for much cheaper than they would be at a store. You can use the items you pick up as inspiration for crafts you and your family can easily do at home together.
Finally, you could use this weekend to celebrate the transition of the seasons. Have your kids write letters to Santa, or go ice-skating together as a family. Even if ice-skating is open year-round, it still holds a special significance when it’s starting to get cold outside.
No matter what you do, remember that Thanksgiving weekend should always be about family time above all else. Whether you stay at home and play board games together or go out to see a new movie, it’s still quality time you and your kids are having together and that is ultimately what makes it special. It’s not what you do, but who you’re with, that makes the weekend a success.
[Shaina Indovino writes for Online Doctoral Programs where you can find information about various online colleges and find the school and program that is right for you.]
Spending quality time with the family does not have to be costly. You can go hiking, camping or fishing with you loved ones depending on what the majority agrees on and just enjoy! http://www.riverbendresort.net
Thanksgiving and the holidays are very important because we do not get to spend as much time with our family or friends because of our busy schedules. When we do, let us think about something to do that everyone can have fun.