If you’ve decided that 2025 is the year that you start the tradition, here’s what you can do to get started!
Halloween might be over, but we still have three holidays left before saying goodbye to 2025.
Next up on the calendar: Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a meaningful holiday that brings families together around shared tables and shared gratitude — and there’s no better way to celebrate the holiday than with a few Thanksgiving traditions.
And that’s true no matter how conventional (or non-conventional) those traditions are.
From the classic Thanksgiving dinner — and everything that comes with it — to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, family photos, football games, Turkey Trots and even the The National Dog Show.
There’s so much fun to be had on (and leading up to) Thanksgiving Day.
Whether you’re looking to start some new traditions this year or looking to fortify some of the classic ones most of us take part in year after year, here are a few Thanksgiving family traditions to consider in 2025.
Thanksgiving Dinner Traditions for Kids
First, let’s break down some of the best traditions centered around everyone’s favorite part of the holiday.
We’re talking about Thanksgiving dinner, of course.
If you’re going for a more traditional vibe, then you’ll want to prepare (or have others bring) hefty portions of turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and, of course, the pie.
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Others like to start their own tradition with ham, pot roast, ribs and even pizza!
No matter what you decide to eat, there are plenty of ways to make your Thanksgiving dinner memorable for the whole family — and these Thanksgiving Day traditions are the perfect way to bring it all together.
Make custom tablecloths and placemats
Want to keep the kids busy while dinner is cooking and create a keepsake you'll treasure for years?
Well, then you’re in luck because you can kill two birds (or turkeys) with one stone and have your children design (and make) the tablecloth and placemats to be used during the annual Thanksgiving dinner.
Just hand them some fabric markers and a plain tablecloth or set of placemats and let them run wild.
They can draw turkeys, write what they're thankful for, trace their hands, doodle fall leaves or create personalized designs for each family member sitting at the table.
You can either re-use the tablecloth every year or have them make a new one and keep it as a keepsake.
Decorate a centerpiece or cornucopia
No Thanksgiving dinner table is complete without a centerpiece or cornucopia.
For those who are new to the tradition, the cornucopia is that iconic horn of plenty overflowing with gourds, mini pumpkins, Indian corn, fall foliage and other fruits, vegetables and/or flowers.
Or, if you want to get a little more creative, have them design their own unique centerpiece from scratch.
Maybe it's a mason jar filled with fall flowers and tied with burlap ribbon. Maybe it's something totally unexpected that only a kid could dream up — and honestly, those are often the best ones.
The beauty of this tradition is that it gives kids ownership and personal pride over how the table looks.
Write ‘thank you’ notes to guests
Here's a tradition that teaches gratitude while making your guests feel truly appreciated.
This isn't about formal, stuffy etiquette — it's about giving kids a chance to express genuine appreciation for the people they care about. And it can be as well-thought-out or goofy as the kids want it to be.
Maybe they thank Grandma for always making them laugh, or Uncle Joe for teaching them how to throw a football, or their cousin for being the best partner in crime. Maybe it just says “thank you” with a drawing.
Either way, they can do what they want with the cards and can hand them out as they place.
That could mean placing them at each of the relatives’ placemats, handing them out as guests arrive, placing them in party favors for when people leave or mailing them out in the days following Thanksgiving.
The annual prayer, blessing or toast
Before anyone digs into that perfectly golden turkey, there's one moment that brings everything into focus.
And that’s the annual prayer, blessing or toast.
This is the pause button on the chaos that comes with Thanksgiving. The moment when everyone stops rushing, sits down together, takes a breath and shares what they’re most thankful for in that moment.
You don’t need to be religious — and you don’t need to be an adult to take part in it.
Some families say a prayer that’s been passed down through generations. Others go around the table and share one thing they’re thankful for. Others simply make a toast to friends, family and loved ones.
However you choose to do it, this moment matters — and it’s something the kids will remember forever.
Breaking the wishbone
Once everyone's had their fill, there's one piece left that's worth its weight in gold.
And that’s the coveted turkey wishbone.
Two people grab either end of that V-shaped bone, make a silent wish and pull. Whoever ends up with the bigger piece gets their wish granted — or at least that's what we tell ourselves year after year.
Kids absolutely love this tradition. There's something thrilling about the anticipation, the gentle tug-of-war, and that satisfying snap when the bone breaks. This year, let them take control of the tradition.
And if you have more than two kids at the dinner table, buy a few extra wishbones so everyone can join.
Classic Thanksgiving Day Traditions
When most people think of Thanksgiving, they immediately think of the food.
But there’s so much more to Thanksgiving than just the food.
Whether it's bundling up for a chilly morning Turkey Trot, getting out in the community and helping those in need or simply spending quality time together before the chaos of the holiday season kicks into gear.
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These are the moments that stick with us.
They’re the moments our kids will remember long after the leftovers are gone and the decorations are packed away — and the ones they’ll one day tell their own kids about when they continue those traditions.
So let's dive into some of the most beloved Thanksgiving traditions that go beyond the dinner table.
Compete in an annual Turkey Trot
There’s no better way to burn some calories before Thanksgiving dinner than the annual Turkey Trot.
These festive 5Ks (and sometimes 10Ks or fun runs) have become a Thanksgiving morning staple in communities across the country — and some even take place in the days or weeks leading up to it.
They're not about setting personal records or competing for medals (unless you want them to be).
They're about getting outside, spending time in the community, being around others, moving your body and soaking up the holiday atmosphere before you spend the rest of the day planted on the couch.
And if you have smaller kids or babies, you can always jog with a stroller or start your own.
Start a ‘gratitude jar’
Want a simple tradition that builds anticipation and teaches thankfulness all at once? Start a gratitude jar.
The concept is easy: set out a jar (or box, or bowl — whatever you have) and a stack of paper slips or index cards sometime before Thanksgiving. That could be Nov. 1 or the week leading up to Thanksgiving.
As the holiday draws closer, have family members write what they’re thankful for on the paper slips.
Kids love this tradition because they can contribute whenever inspiration strikes. Maybe they're thankful for their dog one day, their favorite teacher the next, a hair clip they used and pizza the day after that.
Then, on Thanksgiving Day or at the dinner table, gather around and read them all out loud.
Create an arts and crafts table
If you've got a house full of kids with hours to kill before dinner is ready, then you need to keep them busy.
An arts and crafts table does exactly that.
Set up a dedicated space with all the usual supplies: construction paper, markers, crayons, glue sticks, scissors, stickers, glitter (if you're brave) and anything else that'll keep little hands busy (and messy).
Then let them go wild creating Thanksgiving-themed masterpieces.
They can make paper turkeys, leaf collages, gratitude trees, handprint art, painted pinecones, turkey masks, paper plate pies, fingerprint pumpkins, corn husk dolls or whatever their little hearts come up with.
Thanksgiving-themed games for kids
If the arts and crafts have lost their appeal and the kids are getting antsy, then break out the games.
Think pin the feather on the turkey, a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt turkey bowling with pins and a small pumpkin or a "stuff the turkey" relay race where kids race to fill a paper bag turkey with crumpled paper.
You can also go the classic route with games that have a holiday twist.
Musical chairs becomes "musical turkeys." Simon Says turns into "The Turkey Says." Charades gets a Thanksgiving makeover with prompts like "carving the turkey," "breaking a wishbone," or "raking leaves.”
And, let’s be honest, nothing breaks the ice faster than a ridiculous game of turkey tag.
Volunteer or donate as a family
One of the best ways to practice gratitude is by giving back to those who need it most.
And there are plenty of ways to do this on Thanksgiving — such as volunteering at a food bank, serving meals at a community dinner, donating to a turkey drive, or dropping off canned goods at a shelter.
Involving the kids teaches them that Thanksgiving is about more than what's on their own plate.
They see firsthand that not everyone has the same resources and privileges, and they learn that even small acts of kindness matter — shifting their perspective from "what am I getting" to "what can I give.”
And that's a lesson that sticks with them far longer than any toy or gift ever could.
Take some family photos
With everyone dressed up and gathered in one place, this is the perfect opportunity for family photos.
Let's be honest: getting the entire family together for a photo at any other time of year is like herding cats. Someone's always out of town, someone forgot (or didn’t want) to dress nicely or the lighting is terrible.
But on Thanksgiving? Everyone's already there, looking their best, and with a fall backdrop to go with it.
And here's the genius move: if you're planning to send out Christmas cards, killing two birds (or, again, turkeys) with one stone by taking those photos on Thanksgiving saves you so much stress in December.
Just don’t forget to do a few serious shots and a few goofy ones — you won’t regret it!
Thanksgiving Traditions for Kids Who Love Screen Time
Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year.
For most of us, that means it’s probably going to be too cold, windy and snowy for outdoor activities.
So what do you do when the kids are getting restless, dinner is still hours away and everyone's crammed inside? You lean into a little screen time — and on Thanksgiving, that's all part of the holiday tradition.
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From the moment the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off in the morning to the final whistle of the evening football games, screens have undoubtedly become the official backdrop of the holiday season.
And honestly? There's something comforting about it.
So don't feel guilty about letting the TV stay on a little longer than usual. Embrace it. Make it intentional. And turn those hours in front of the screen into Thanksgiving traditions your family looks forward to.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
It’s not Thanksgiving morning without the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade playing in the background.
Since 1924, this iconic New York City parade has been the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season — fit with character balloons, floats, marching bands, Broadway performances and Santa’s arrival at the end.
For kids, it’s pure magic and excitement.
This year’s parade — the 99th rendition of it — will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 27 in all time zones and will feature 32 balloons, three ballonicles, 27 floats, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands and much more.
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker from the “Today” show will host it on NBC and Peacock.
Football and basketball all-day long
Once the parade ends, the TVs in most homes quickly switch from floats to football.
Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand — and have for decades. The first NFL Thanksgiving game was played back in 1934, and it’s been a tradition ever since with some teams being featured annually.
This year’s slate features the Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions at 1:00 p.m. ET, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. ET and Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET.
And let’s not forget about the college basketball games that’ll take place all day long.
Some of the biggest matchups include North Carolina vs. Michigan State at 4:30 p.m. ET, BYU vs. Miami at 5:00 p.m. ET, Wisconsin vs. Providence at 5:30 p.m. ET and Duke vs. Arkansas at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The National Dog Show
If football and basketball aren’t your cup of tea, then you can always turn to the National Dog Show.
Airing every Thanksgiving since 2002, this annual event — hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and televised on NBC — has quietly become one of the most wholesome parts of Thanksgiving day.
It features hundreds of perfectly groomed pups competing for the coveted “Best in Show” title.
Make it a family game: have everyone pick a favorite breed before the show starts and see who ends up winning. You can even give out small “prizes” — like first dibs on dessert — to whoever guessed correctly.
At the very least, your kids will enjoy seeing all the pups compete on the dog's biggest stage.
Start a family video chat
Not everyone can make it home for the holiday — but that doesn’t mean they can’t be part of it.
While many of us grew up with the annual phone call to those who were out of town, we now have a thing called video chat and it makes this tradition much more personal and memorable for those involved.
You can keep it simple and call during dinner so everyone can say “hi” and share what they’re thankful for, or make it a full virtual hangout before the meal so the kids can show off their arts and crafts.
For families who can’t all fit around one table, this small tradition bridges the distance.
Plus, it reminds everyone that Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food — it’s about connection. And seeing all those familiar faces pop up on a screen feels even more special than passing the gravy in person.
Watch a Thanksgiving movie or episode
Once the food coma starts to settle in, there’s nothing better than putting on a movie or TV episode.
You can go traditional with “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes” or “Blue’s Clues & You: Thankful with Blue,” or pick something newer like “Instant Family,” “The Thanksgiving Movie” or “Free Birds.”
It doesn’t even have to be Thanksgiving-related — think “Benji” or “Slumberland.”
There are also a ton of TV shows with Thanksgiving episodes, like “Llama Llama,” “Sesame Street,” “Dora the Explorer,” “Paw Patrol” and shows for older kids like “The Office” and “Modern Family.”
What’s most important is that everyone’s together and having a good time!
Preparing for the Christmas Season Ahead
We all know about the chaos that ensues the month following Thanksgiving.
We’re talking about Christmas, of course.
The moment Thanksgiving dinner ends, there are gifts to buy, decorations to hang, cards to send, cookies to bake and a seemingly endless list of parties, concerts and events to attend. It can feel overwhelming.
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One blink later and somehow it's mid-December and you haven't checked a single thing off your list.
That's why Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to get ahead of the game. Not only does it take some pressure off the weeks ahead, but it also turns what could be stressful tasks into fun activities.
So instead of dreading the Christmas chaos, turn some of it into memorable Thanksgiving traditions.
Put up Christmas decorations
For many families, Thanksgiving weekend marks the official start of the Christmas season.
And that means it’s time to deck the halls!
Once the leftovers are packed away, pull out the bins of ornaments, lights, and garland and let the decorating begin — complete with the Christmas tree setup, wreaths, lights and tabletop decorations.
The kids can help with the Christmas ornaments and decide where certain things should go.
So, don’t be scared to put on a Christmas playlist, make some hot cocoa and make decorating a yearly Thanksgiving tradition — after all, there’s no such thing as “too early” when it comes to Christmas.
Draw names for ‘Secret Santa’
If your family loves exchanging gifts but not the chaos (and cost) that comes with it, this one’s a lifesaver.
Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to draw names for a family “Secret Santa” because everyone is there (or, at least, most people) and you can have everyone submit their list of wants and wishes.
You can make it extra fun for the kids by letting them make the name tags or decorate the draw jar.
Everyone gets one person to buy for — and with a few ground rules (like a price limit or handmade-only gifts), it becomes more about creativity and thoughtfulness than spending money.
Write a letter to Santa Claus
This one’s a must if you have little ones in the house.
If you haven’t already, then Thanksgiving is the perfect time to sit the kids down and have them write a letter to Santa Claus about what they want this year for Christmas.
It’s also a good opportunity for them to tell Santa about all the good things they’ve done this year.
Once written, don’t forget to have your child place it in the mailbox so it can make its way to the North Pole — and maybe even receive a letter back from Santa Claus letting them know he got it.
It’s a simple tradition (and also gives parents an early peek at what’s on those wish lists).
Find (and cut down) a Christmas tree
There’s something special about heading out as a family to pick (and, if you’re feeling adventurous, cut) your own Christmas tree.
Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and spend the afternoon at a local tree farm searching for “the one.” It’s an experience that feels straight out of a holiday movie — complete with pine needles in your hair.
Even if you prefer artificial trees, you can still make “tree day” its own tradition.
Maybe you let the kids choose the theme or color scheme for the year, or pick one new ornament to add to the collection each season. It’s a small gesture, but one that’ll make the kids feel extra involved.
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At the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey, the football, or even the pie.
It’s about the moments we create together.
Whether it’s crafting decorations, breaking a wishbone, running a Turkey Trot, or video-chatting with family, these Thanksgiving traditions are what turn a single day into a lifetime of memories.
