Family and tradition. Isn't that what the holidays
are really all about? The holidays are the one time
of the year that families come together and create
memories that will stay with them throughout a
lifetime. Children who don't get to spend time with
their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are
really missing out on an opportunity to form a bond
that only close family ties can create.
I love to learn about how other
families spend their time during the holidays. Some
of people's fondest memories are from visiting with
friends and relatives during the Thanksgiving
holidays. I have put together some of my favorite
Thanksgiving traditions that people have submitted
to the Creative Homemaking web site.
Jeanette...My favorite memories
are of my mother's family gathering at Grandma's
house. The holiday did not begin until everyone got
there. We often played cards or other games. The
most fun is when we would go for a long walk in the
country. This would include whomever wanted to go,
and would always be an adventure.
Bethany...We rotate homes every
year for Thanksgiving. Whoever's house Thanksgiving
is at makes the turkey. Everyone else generally
brings a vegetable, dessert or salad. Grandma always
makes the dressing.
Mrs. Lee...Every holiday we always
would write one thing we were thankful for on our
place cards.
Shelly...One of my favorite
holiday memories is the gathering of my mother's
family at her aunt's farm at Thanksgiving. I
remember gatherings including five generations with
relatives we only saw every couple of years, but
with whom we shared a common ancestry and a common
faith. These bonds allowed us to become reacquainted
with one another over the course of the day and gave
an almost hallowed meaning to the phrase "family
ties". Even as a child, I knew my actions reflected
on my family, and I would never do anything to bring
dishonor to my family. Those family bonds are absent
for so many people these days.
Ginger...Each year my husbands
family (most of them live near) get together for the
Thanksgiving meal. Each family brings a part of the
meal (decided by the hostess) and we give thanks to
God and enjoy each others company. It's a great time
to catch up.
Kathy...Making the center piece
with my children when they were little we used to go
gather liquid Amber leaves and press them between
two pieces of wax paper with some scrapped crayon
and name tags also in with the leaves. The kids
always looked so forward to this and we kept this up
for many years now we make different kinds the kids
are older so now we bake together instead which is a
lot of fun. Having Thanksgiving at our home is
tradition we love.
About the Author: Rachel Paxton is
a freelance writer and mom who publishes the
Creative Homemaking Recipe of the Week Club, a
weekly newsletter that contains quick, easy dinner
ideas and money-saving household hints. To subscribe
send a blank e-mail message to mailto:FreeRecipes-subscribe@egroups.com.
Visit Creative Homemaking at http://www.creativehomemaking.com
and Suite 101 - http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/creative_homemaking |
