The first time I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws, I had made the incorrect assumption that their celebration would be the same as my family’s.
I expected Turkey. And pumpkin pie. And football. Well, there was football. But no turkey!
Hubby’s family has a wonderfully diverse and sophisticated palette, and that year there was a plethora of other fantastic foods to choose from. (It was delicious!)
But as the day drew on, I realized that it wasnt just the absence of the turkey that was affecting me.
In my family at every Thanksgiving dinner, we would go around the table and say one thing we were thankful for.
Truthfully, up until that first Thanksgiving away from my family, I had rolled my eyes in dread each time it was my turn. Stopping and giving thanks was the last thing I wanted to do when I had a gorgeous golden brown turkey glistening before me.
Planning out our Thanksgiving this year it occurred to me that there was a way to incorporate my beloved tradition of giving thanks and still honor the gentle humbleness of my husband’s family.
I made “thankful” cookies.
The idea is simple… I place out a tray of blank cookies, and every family member can write one thing they are thankful for on their cookie. People can do this throughout the afternoon in their own time.
They can do it anonymously or sign their name.
The nice thing about these cookies is that it’s a win-win. Even if people don’t want to participate, we still have a lovely treat to munch on through our weekend!
So what family traditions do you have at Thanksgiving?
I highly recommend using my favorite sugar cookie recipe and glaze icing recipe. 🙂
I love it! Cute and edible and a perfect reminder.
I just silently hide and hope no one wants to talk to me at my in-laws. We come from two different worlds, and they hide their dysfunction. My family airs that out on the lawn. This is a problem when they ask me how life is. :-p
I love it! Cute and edible and a perfect reminder.
I just silently hide and hope no one wants to talk to me at my in-laws. We come from two different worlds, and they hide their dysfunction. My family airs that out on the lawn. This is a problem when they ask me how life is. :-p
Great idea!
Awesome idea! I love going around the table telling each other what we are thankful for. However, this will work for those who are a little on the shy side. 🙂
Very creative idea. Your in-laws are blessed to have you in their family 🙂
We also did this, we would go around the table and tell each other aloud what we were thankful for. Hubby’s family doesn’t do this, and they also don’t make the normal Thanksgiving meal, but my husband I promised to start our own tradition once we have our own children 🙂
I think these cookies are adorable and such a clever idea!
I LOVE these!!!! Enough said!
I love this! You are way too cute!
YOU ARE AWESOME. THIS IDEA ROCKS! Go you!
Um…my tradition is so dumb…but it also isn’t done at my in-laws which is hard. We ALWAYS went to my aunt’s house for Thanksgiving. And we ALWAYS had a pickle/olive/cheese tray. And my cousins and I ALWAYS snuck pieces off of it before the meal…and snacked on it all afternoon. I miss it.
I don’t think your tradition is dumb – we serve these things too & not always at Thanksgiving!
I always sneak things off the condiment tray & so does my brother – They taste much better when no-one is looking. You should take your own tray to serve at the in-laws. they might enjoy it too!
I’m Canadian & I’m guessin’ y’all are American – Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family.
very creative. 🙂