Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tuesday Tradition #32 - Thanksgiving & A GIVEAWAY!

There are only 4 Tuesdays, counting today, before Thanksgiving 2009 is here. This favorite holiday is known for the many blessings and celebrated through traditions. I'm going to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions and ideas each Tuesday for the next 4 weeks.

One of my favorite things to do is listen to the members of our family tell stories. Many stories are being told and heard for the very first time. Some are repeats, with a slightly different twist and a little exaggeration, but most are just personal history, exciting events from the past year, past Thanksgivings, favorite memories and so on and so on.

Sometimes it can be hard to get the family talking or at least get them heading in the right direction. I like to avoid conflict, so for the past few years whether it's with all of our extended family or just my own husband and children, we have a tradition of sharing stories at the table. I get some help with this of course. I put a place card holder at each table setting. I don't put "name cards". I put one of Cherish Bound's Family Gathering Chat Cards at each person's place setting. Then around the house I take the cute little metal picture holders like the ones shown below and add chat cards to those. As people come to the table they can't help but take the card and read the story-inspiring question on the back. Throughout the house you can hear story swapping and tales being told as curious minds take the chat cards and begin asking questions. You never know what wisdom will be shared, what tall tale will be told, but through story our family comes together and connects on levels we never knew were possible.



I'd love to share these amazing Family Gathering Chat Cards with you all.....So I'm giving away a deck! All you need to do is comment and/or post about your Thanksgiving Family Traditions on your blog and link back here so we can all see and share our traditions. US residence only. Giveaway ends on Monday, November 17 @ 11:59 pm EST. I'll post the winner on my next Tuesday Traditions.

11 comments:

larkswing said...

This is fun! I have get all the scattered thought I have on this month and get it into blogger!

:)

Grammy said...

Sounds life fun at the table.
Great Ideal.
Grammy

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Well, you know how my hubby feels about me winning things online (as much as I hate it!) but I at least wanted to tell you that I love this idea! I might have to steal it!
Carrie

Debbie said...

We don't really have any big Thanksgiving traditions. It is really the only holiday I am open to traveling and celebrating elsewhere. But there are certain foods that each child has to have (my homemade cranberry sauce topping the list). It is all about the food!

heather said...

I am so excited about the fact that there are only four Tuesdays left until Thanksgiving!

Missy said...

I have always tried to get everyone to tell me what they are thankful for, but it is almost like pulling teeth. I am wondering if I should go the opposite this year. Sometimes it takes a negative to make a positive shine.

Peggy said...

What a great idea! I will post my traditions tomorrow after wordless wednesday:) Hmmm, or maybe later today. There is no "blog" rule that says I have to be wordless ALL day, right? LOL!

Shauna said...

How awesome! Thanks for sharing :)

RecipeGirl said...

I Love, Love LOVE the family chat cards. What a special thing to do for Thanksgiving too. I'll have to sneak those into my MIL's dinner! Thanks again...

Molly C. said...

What a great tradition! We actually don't have the "big" family Thanksgiving anymore. Usually all of us adults have had to work in the past. The last two years, I ended up doing the Turkey Dinner for just us. Although I might do a buffet type this year, and do an open invite to our home. I've been wanting to do the tablecloth idea for a bit now. Using a plain white tablecloth, have everyone write what they are thankful for, sign it & date it. Use permanent markers, then stitch over the writing. Pull it out every year & add to it.

Peggy said...

I am still in shock that it is November! I posted my traditions:)

http://webbmania.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanksgiving-traditions.html