As Thanksgiving approaches, our staff has been reflecting on the moments, meals and memories that make this time of year special. Here’s a peek into the traditions we treasure, both old and new, as we celebrate the season of gratitude.
“Grandma, you can never leave town again!”
One Thanksgiving my Grandma, who always hosted the extended family, took a trip and was absent.. My mother, her youngest daughter, volunteered to cook the dressing; it was harder than it looked and didn’t go well. My poor Grandma was inundated with pleas to never leave during the holidays again. After that, she held “cooking lessons” for any child, grandchild or great-grandchild who was interested in learning her specialties so we could get it right. She passed away in 2019, at the age of 99.
– Hillary
Deviled eggs are served at all big holiday meals in my house. I cook for all of them and everyone loves the danged things. In 2004, my oldest son had his best friend from Las Vegas over for Thanksgiving. Everyone was talking at the same time and I missed most of the convo setting the table and getting the food out. We sat down to eat and my wife asked what my problem was and started giving me a hard time.
I was trying not to laugh while looking straight down at my plate. I saw my deviled egg and without thinking or looking, I picked it up and tossed it at her across the table. The shot of a lifetime! It hit her left eyeglass lens yolk side first . I looked up in time to watch it slide off.
I thought “I’m a deadman”. She laughed so hard she cried, as did my two sons and his friend. Tradition now dictates that someone at the table gets to chuck an egg every year! (meaning we do not dress up for Thanksgiving).
– Ed
I’m fully capable of making succotash year-round, but I don’t. I just act like Thanksgiving is the one magical night it’s allowed to exist.
It’s my annual burst of misplaced excitement.
– Makayla
“Come on in, we’re painting ornaments!“
This is the phrase that will greet you when you walk into my aunt’s house on Thanksgiving. Every year, she breaks out her paint collection, and we all gather in her basement to personalize our own ceramic ornaments. Mittens, snowmen, Santa Claus’, presents: the variety is endless! I love this tradition, because it allows us to be creative and relax during an otherwise stressful time of the year. Plus, the unofficial contest to see who can paint the best ornament is always a blast!
– Emily
We get up and watch the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” with homemade monkey bread (we call them “pluckets”).
This is a recipe that I learned from a dear friend in Maysville and it’s been a tradition ever since.
– Melissa
Every year we eat at my granny’s house and play trivia afterwards. My favorite dish is her homemade stuffing.
– Jazmarae
Our family always watches the Peanuts special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving“, and we snack on Snoopy’s Thanksgiving feast (popcorn, toast, jelly beans, and pretzels)!
– Cara
One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the parade. I love seeing all the balloons and the performances. It’s not the Christmas season without seeing the Rockettes and Santa Clause at the end.
A unique dish we have in our family is a sausage-based dressing that goes in the turkey, along with the traditional bread dressing. I don’t know where or with whom the sausage dressing originated, but its so flavorful and yummy and helps keep the bird juicy!
My family also has a tradition of singing the Thanksgiving song I learned in Kindergarten. My mom and grandmother loved it and thought it was so funny when I was little that we just kept singing it every year, and now I’ve taught it to my own children. The song goes as follows:
🎶 On Thanksgiving, on Thanksgiving
Come to dine, be on time
First we do the greeting, then we start the eating
Eat all day, that’s the way!
On Thanksgiving, on Thanksgiving
Football game, glad we came
After turkey dinner, we will know the winner
Win or lose, take a snooze! 🎶
– Dawna
A past Thanksgiving tradition in my family was gathering at my grandparents’ house for dinner and then playing Bingo afterwards. Each family would bring small prizes in a bag for kids and adults. Whoever won got to pick a surprise gift. It was always a fun time!
– Lacy
Growing up, I’ve always loved watching the Dog Show on Thanksgiving. It came on TV right after the Parade, and one year we even got to see it in person!
– Kaylee
I make an entire Thanksgiving dinner for my daughter to only eat a roll and a small spoonful of apples…
– Cindy
What are your favorite Thanksgiving Traditions?
Interesting article, thank you for sharing your experience.