10 Unique Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving This Year

Last Updated on October 20, 2024

With its rich traditions, family get-togethers, and a substantial feast, Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday for many. If you want to give your celebration a new twist, there are many ways to make Thanksgiving unique and unforgettable. These ten suggestions will help you uniquely celebrate Thanksgiving this year, whether you want to go outside the box or add something new to your day.

Host a Virtual Thanksgiving Dinner

Given the growing importance of digital platforms, why not use them to maintain relationships with family members who cannot attend your Thanksgiving meal? Thanksgiving can be celebrated virtually with family and friends from across the nation (or the globe).

Ask everyone to offer their favorite recipe or dish in advance to make the event more participatory. Despite being physically separated, you can still share experiences by cooking some of the same meals together over a video conference. Consider setting up online games, tests, or trivia to keep things interesting. Even if a screen may keep you apart, Thanksgiving’s unique bond should not be diminished.

Hosting a virtual Thanksgiving dinner can be enhanced with the right tech tools. Consider using the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 for crystal-clear video or the Amazon Echo Show 8 for hands-free video calling. The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is a fantastic option for the best audio quality.

Participate in a Thanksgiving Day Fun Run

Many locals host charity races, fun runs, or Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving morning. Before enjoying the feast later, this might be a fun and healthful way to start the holiday. Participating in a virtual charity run or running a 5K in your community gives the holiday a charitable feel and is a beautiful opportunity to spend time with loved ones.

You may urge everyone in your home to participate, from children to adults. For added fun, you can even dress up in costumes with a Thanksgiving theme. The extra benefit? After expending some calories, you won’t feel as bad about enjoying a second helping of pie.

If you’re participating in a Turkey Trot, ensure you’re well-equipped. The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 is an excellent choice for supportive running shoes, and a Fitbit Charge 5 can help you track your steps and performance. Don’t forget comfortable gear like Under Armour Running Shorts to keep you cool during the race.

Have a Potluck-Style Thanksgiving

Organizing a potluck event on Thanksgiving gives everyone a chance to show off their culinary prowess while relieving the host’s tension. Give each visitor a different dish or course to bring, such as side dishes, desserts, or appetizers. This disperses the labor and produces a rich and varied feast incorporating flavors from several kitchens.

This gathering promotes teamwork and is a beautiful opportunity to connect over food. Additionally, experimenting with new recipes that can become Thanksgiving mainstays in your family can be enjoyable. This is one of the fantastic ways to celebrate Thanksgiving Turkey dinner.

Consider using the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic for hot meals or the Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Baking Dish Set for casseroles and sides to make transporting your potluck dish easier. Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers are ideal for spill-proof transportation and keeping food fresh and mess-free.

Organize a Thanksgiving Outdoor Picnic

Why not enjoy Thanksgiving dinner outside if the weather permits? Hosting a picnic in your garden or a local park can make Thanksgiving more adventurous. Pack your Thanksgiving food into baskets and spread out some warm blankets. You can simplify the dinner with finger foods and snacks or choose more classic fare like pumpkin pie, cranberry salad, and turkey sandwiches.

Being outside makes it possible to burn off that holiday dinner with simple post-meal sports like touch football, frisbee, or nature excursions. If you reside in a location with stunning fall foliage, Thanksgiving will be set against a quiet and lovely backdrop.

For a comfortable Thanksgiving picnic, consider the Keter Pacific Cool Bar Outdoor Table, which serves as a cooler and table. Keep your food and drinks chilled with the YETI Hopper Soft Cooler, and don’t forget the Picnic Time Portable Folding Picnic Table for an easy setup.

Give Back with a Volunteer Activity One of the Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Giving back to others is a meaningful way to commemorate Thanksgiving, a time to consider the many blessings in our lives. Families in need can enjoy their holiday by volunteering at a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter. Thanksgiving-specific outreach initiatives, such as bringing meals to older people or those confined to their homes, are also prevalent in many areas.

Volunteering with your family improves the relationship and fosters empathy and thankfulness. If you cannot attend in person, you can still make a difference by setting up a food drive in your community or giving to a charity.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer can help cook large quantities efficiently if you’re preparing meals to donate. Pack food donations in ToteBagFactory Reusable Cotton Tote Bags, and use Meal Prep Haven 3-Compartment Containers to deliver meals in perfect portions.

Create a Thanksgiving Time Capsule

Making a Thanksgiving time capsule is an inventive way to remember the occasion and save memories. After asking everyone in the family to write down their blessings or favorite moments of the day, collect mementos like menus, pictures, or drawings created by the children. Place everything in a box, seal it, and write the year on it.

Making this a yearly ritual will allow you to reflect on previous Thanksgivings when you open the time capsule in a few years. It’s an enjoyable and nostalgic method of documenting family memories and monitoring your personal development over time.

Keep your Thanksgiving time capsule safe with the SentrySafe Fireproof Safe Box, ensuring it lasts for years. Use Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers to write messages or label items, and print instant photos from your phone with the Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer to add a personal touch.

Plan a Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

Sometimes, you need to unwind and rest after all the cooking, eating, and mingling. The ideal way to round off the day is with a marathon of Thanksgiving films. Choose a selection of family classics or vintage Thanksgiving movies that the whole family will love.

You may choose Thanksgiving-themed movies like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Alternatively, pick uplifting family films or well-liked comedies that unite people. Don’t forget the popcorn and perhaps some pumpkin spice sweets to keep with the holiday spirit.

Make your movie marathon seamless with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for easy streaming. Capture fun moments with the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Smartphone Printer, or cozy with hot chocolate in the durable YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug.

Have a “Friendsgiving” Celebration.

A popular variant of the traditional holiday is Friendsgiving, which is a Thanksgiving meal shared with friends. Friendsgiving allows you to spend the holiday with your closest friends, who you can choose to be your family, either in place of or in addition to Thanksgiving. Since this gathering is typically more laid-back and informal, inventive cuisine and various culinary experiences are possible.

Friendsgiving is a terrific opportunity to celebrate with friends who might be away on Thanksgiving itself, as it usually takes place in the days before or after the holiday. Maintain a relaxed atmosphere while emphasizing thankfulness, laughing, and quality time.

Are you hosting a Friendsgiving? The Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker makes preparing large portions easy. Serve drinks in style with the Riedel O Wine Tumbler Set, and for a fun twist, try a Trudeau Electric Fondue Set to share appetizers or desserts.

Create a Thanksgiving Craft Station for Kids

Kids may also have a great time at Thanksgiving, so it’s not just for grownups! To keep them interested and entertained, provide a Thanksgiving craft station where they may decorate their holiday. Prepare materials to make Thanksgiving-themed tablecloths, pilgrim hats, or handprint turkeys for the dinner table.

Crafting keeps the youngsters occupied while the grownups prepare the meal and offer them a sense of success. They can even incorporate their crafts into the Thanksgiving décor to give the occasion a more unique feel. Here are some other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving;

Set up a well-stocked craft station with the Crayola Ultimate Crayon Collection and the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Paper Pad for drawing and coloring. For more advanced crafts, the Craft Smart Paint Pen Set offers vibrant colors and easy use for kids of all ages.

Host a Global Thanksgiving Feast

Include dishes from several civilizations to add a multicultural flair to your Thanksgiving. While stuffing and turkey are American classics, there are many ways to incorporate cuisines worldwide. Request guests bring a dish that celebrates their heritage or country of origin.

You can serve Mexican tamales, Italian antipasto, or Indian samosas in addition to the standard Thanksgiving meal. This idea creates a unique and varied supper and honors the diverse origins and experiences of everyone at the table. Sharing stories about the significance of each meal can add a more profound cultural element to your celebration.

A global feast calls for the right tools. The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker makes cooking international dishes quick and easy, while the World Spice Merchants Global Spice Set ensures you have authentic flavors on hand. For a practical, space-saving solution, serve everything with the Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Nesting Bowls. These are some examples of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Thanksgiving is a time to take stock, express gratitude, and enjoy the company of loved ones. Implementing these original suggestions may make the holiday feel new, imaginative, and more significant. There are plenty of ways to make this Thanksgiving special, whether by giving back, adopting new customs, or just spending time with loved ones in novel ways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Describe Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving celebrated with friends instead of relatives. It can be observed in the days preceding or following Thanksgiving and is typically more laid-back.
2. How can I include children in the Thanksgiving festivities? Kids might be given easy jobs like arranging the table or given a craft station where they can create decorations. They feel more involved when you include them in meal preparation, such as when you bake cookies.
3. How can I throw a virtual Thanksgiving party? Use Zoom or Skype to connect with loved ones who cannot attend in person. You can cook together via video chat, play virtual games, and even swap recipes.
4. What is a Turkey Trot? A Turkey Trot is a fun run or race, often held on Thanksgiving morning. It’s A great way to exercise before the big meal and is usually linked to charitable causes.
5. Which Thanksgiving-themed films are good? Popular films with a Thanksgiving theme include Free Birds, Trains & Automobiles, Planes, and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Feel-good family films are another excellent choice.
6. How can I make Thanksgiving more culturally inclusive? Invite visitors to contribute foods from their cultural backgrounds to create a worldwide Thanksgiving. This gives the holiday feast a fresh touch while producing a varied and delectable cuisine.

We hope you enjoyed reading our recommended ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends and find it helpful.