Thanksgiving Traditions

I've been thinking a lot about holiday traditions and family traditions in general lately.  I signed up for the Holiday Traditions Exchange and then panicked, wondering what kind of tradition I had to share with someone.  Growing up, it didn't seem like we had a lot of traditions so this is definitely something I want for my own family.  Yet, I want to be mindful of the traditions we begin.

This Thanksgiving was a mix of "old" traditions (since I joined my husband's family) and new ones too.  As a teenager, it was often just my grandmother and me at Thanksgiving; we would usually go to a restaurant for dinner.  Which isn't as sad and lonely as it sounds -- it was just one of our traditions.  My grandmother lives alone in Maine now and although she had three Thanksgiving dinner invitations, she chose to stay home.  I tried to persuade her to join one of her friends but she declined.  Although I respect her decision, I think Thanksgiving is a lovely holiday to invite friends to join your family (Christmas can be more awkward with the whole gift-giving thing).

Anyway, after spending a number of years dining out on Thanksgiving, I really love that my husband's family puts on a big spread, with more food than anyone could ever actually eat.

We had to forego our traditional post-dinner (pre-dessert) walk around the block this year because it was so cold!  But a group of good friends of my in-laws (who really are good friends of ours now too) did come over for appetizers and a champagne toast.

And a new tradition was created with the help of my mother-in-law's dear friend, Nancy (who I met for the first time at my wedding and instantly loved).  We took Dagim for a little walk to gather natural materials to decorate the table.  We collected leaves, herbs, sticks, tree berries.  Dagim loved it and we created a beautiful table with our findings. 

 

Making their annual appearance were Mr. and Mrs. Thanksgiving Mouse -- two little stuffed animals that I've had since I was a kid.  They were incorporated into the table decorations (only Mr. Mouse is pictured here, as Mrs. Mouse was at the other end of the table).

Traditionally, I had a cold over the holiday.  This is one tradition I could do without!  Friday morning, I took some cold medicine and started to feel better.  I made breakfast, talked on the phone with a friend and returned some emails.  Then I suddenly felt that I absolutely must go to bed.  Two hours later I woke up and thought, something is not right.  I went into the bathroom and discovered my mistake: I had taken NIGHTTIME cold medicine!  Good thing I didn't have any big Black Friday plans because I spent most of the day sleeping.

Of course, there was some sewing over the weekend.  I can't share the details right now because the recipient of the gift might be reading this.  I'm feeling pretty good about making my way through my list of handmade gifts.  I'm waiting on a shipment of new fabric from Pink Chalk Fabrics before I can begin a few more gifts.  In the meantime, I think I'll finish up the vest for Dagim's coat.

So, that was our Thanksgiving.  And now I'm thinking about Christmas traditions.

I'd love to hear about your holiday traditions.  What does your family do every year for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas?