You gotta love a good, classic Thanksgiving tradition, whether it’s going around the table saying what you’re thankful for or a Turkey Trot. (That is, if you like to run…) But sometimes you want to create unique traditions that are meaningful for your family. Check out these not-so-typical ways to celebrate Thanksgiving together and make lasting memories as a family this turkey day.

1. The Gratitude Time Capsule

Is this cheesy? Yes. Is it still worth doing? Also yes. There’s so much value in practicing gratitude, especially for children. Plus, the benefits of taking the time to think and write down what you’re thankful for are unmatched. Each family member can write a note that includes:

  • What they’re thankful for
  • Something they learned
  • A hope or dream they want to come true by next year

Seal the notes in an envelope or box and open them the next Thanksgiving. (If you’re not a very organized person and you’re afraid you’ll lose it (*ahem, speaking to myself), feel free to either snap pics of the pages and look back on the photos of the day next year or upload them to a shared Google Doc.)

2. “The First Slice Honor”

This, too, is silly on the surface, but can be meaningful for a child. Instead of the oldest or host carving the turkey, give the honor to the person who:

  • Overcame the biggest challenge this year
  • Helped others the most
  • Tried something new that scared them

If you prefer your turkey to be sliced before dinner—or you’re scared to let littles near such a big knife—consider alternatives that hold a similar weight. Perhaps the honor can be to pray for the Thanksgiving meal or to get the first slice of dessert. Each year, you can rotate who gets honored with a new theme.

3. “Thank You” Call

This is the classic “I’m thankful for you,” but with a slight twist. Each person in the family phones (not texts!) someone outside of their home to thank them for something specific that happened that year. For example, I might call my grandmother to thank her for hosting me so well when I came to visit earlier in the year. Or I might call a mentor and share why I’m so glad to have them in my life and name a few ways they’ve impacted me.

If your kids are too little to have their own phones, let them use yours. Discuss who you want to call around the table. If they don’t answer (it is Thanksgiving, after all), send them a voice message instead of leaving a voicemail so it can start a conversation thread. Another great idea is to hand-write thank you cards and mail them.

4. The Leftovers Draft

This might be a tradition I implement in my own house: Turn dividing leftovers into a lighthearted “draft”—like a sports draft where each person gets to choose their first-round pick. This is a great way to keep everyone happy and keep things “fair” as the delicious leftovers dwindle. 

Rotate through the family members, allowing each person to choose what they want most (mac and cheese, stuffing, corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, etc.). You can even change the order every year. This tradition will force each child (and let’s be honest, parents too!) to prioritize their favorite foods. If your kids don’t really like leftovers or Thanksgiving foods… this tradition is probably not for you. 

5. Act of Kindness

I have a friend whose husband is a cop, and so she started serving all of the first-responders breakfast on Thanksgiving Day because they all still have to work. Now, it’s become a special tradition her kids help her with, along with her friends and other family members. I’m not saying you have to make a homemade meal for somebody else. But on this day where we celebrate all that we have with gratitude in our hearts, try to do one small act of kindness together, such as:

  • Writing thank-you letters to teachers or nurses
  • Dropping off canned goods
  • Packing small care bags for the unhoused

It’ll only take 20 minutes, but it will mean so much to those who receive your act of kindness.

BONUS: Go on a Walk

After you’ve stuffed yourself fuller than Tom the Turkey, go on a walk as a family. Moving your body will help your food settle and digest, which will put you all in a better mood. Plus, being outside (even if it’s cold) is so important. My family tends to do this every year, and we always love our walks together. As we’ve aged and moved to different cities, it’s so special to come back together and go on a refreshing walk (before our refreshing naps… if you know what I mean, ha!).