We Asked Our Readers About Their Most Nostalgic Thanksgiving Traditions—Here Are 12 Ideas To Try

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your favorite Thanksgiving traditions growing up? For a lot of people, it’s the food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie – there’s so much to look forward to come mealtime. 

Food isn’t the only thing that Thanksgiving has going for it, however. From sun-up to sun-down, there are so many other things to look forward to like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, football games, family gatherings, Turkey Trots, and more. 

We asked our readers to write in what their most nostalgic Thanksgiving traditions are so we can all share in the joy and find inspiration to create new traditions of our own. Here are some ideas they gave us to try:

Running a Turkey Trot

We've all seen the hilarious memes circulating online about marrying into a "Turkey Trot family," but in all honesty, it's not a bad idea! A turkey trot is a great way to get some steps in early so you have more room for turkey later and feel a little less guilty about going for that second slice of pumpkin pie. It’s also a fun way to get the whole family together doing something active early in the day, before all of the sitting, drinking, and eating. If running is not your thing, that’s okay – walkers are always welcome. Bonus points if you get into the holiday spirit with matching outfits or dress the little ones up as turkeys. 

Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and National Dog Show

I’m typically not a fan of parades, but the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is completely different. I don’t know if it’s the nostalgia that makes me view the entire event through rose-colored glasses, but there’s something so fun about seeing all of the inflatables, floats, dancers, and marching bands. Then the National Dog Show airs right after it, and who doesn’t love seeing tons of cute dogs? This tradition is also a great one for kids because it’s family-friendly and will occupy the kids for at least a few minutes while Mom and Dad grab some much-needed coffee.

Attending a Morning Church Service

Thanksgiving is always a busy day. Whether you’re hosting or heading to a loved one’s house, the hustle and bustle of cooking, traveling, and corralling family members can get very overwhelming very fast. That’s why the tradition of attending a morning church service is such a good idea. It gives you some time to slow down, give thanks, and center yourself around what the day is really about before the festivities begin.  

Planning and Cooking the Whole Meal with Mom

There’s a lot of planning that goes into a Thanksgiving meal, especially when you’re getting the whole family together and everyone has different preferences or dishes they’re looking forward to. Sitting down to plan and then cooking the whole meal with your mom (or whoever does the cooking for your gathering!) is a great way to get insights into family recipes, as well as basic cooking tips. The tradition and nostalgia surrounding Thanksgiving are part of what makes the holiday so special, and seemingly small things like cooking with your mom are what those lasting holiday memories are made of. 

Decorating the Table

Great tablescapes are the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving day. They’re the MVP that punches above their weight to make all of your Instagram photos of the food look even more festive and fun. If this tradition isn’t already on your list, make this year the year you invest in a great Thanksgiving tablescape. It doesn’t have to break the bank either. There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest, and you can get everything you need at HomeGoods, Marshalls, or even mix and match items from your local thrift store. 

Making Pie from Scratch with Mom

Everyone has an opinion when it comes to which Thanksgiving pie is the best. Whether it’s apple, pecan, pumpkin (it’s definitely pumpkin), or something else entirely, pie is typically a centerpiece of the dessert table on Thanksgiving, and there’s nothing quite like a homemade pie. This is a great tradition to carry on through generations and is easier to do with kids because you can make the pies ahead of time, so there’s less chaos in the kitchen on Thanksgiving day. 

Watching the Football Games

Much like the Macy Parade, watching the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving Day has become an American tradition. Even if you don’t like football, there’s something nostalgic and cozy about having the games on while people are mingling and food is being prepared on Thanksgiving. 

Playing Games in the Yard with Family While the Turkey Cooks

I’m convinced this “tradition” was just started by overwhelmed moms desperate to get their children out of the way so they could finish cooking in peace. But whatever the reason for it, playing games like flag football, baseball, or even frisbee in the yard is a nice, active Thanksgiving tradition that the whole family can participate in. 

Pilgrim History Trivia  

I love this idea because it’s both fun and informative. We all learned about the first Thanksgiving back in grade school, but how many of us actually remember any of the details? I know I sure don’t, so this is much needed in my household. Plus, it’s easy to implement and a great activity for all ages. The best part is that, according to this reader, “After years, the facts start to stick!”

Going around the Table and Saying What We’re Thankful For

Once you’ve got your pilgrim trivia out of the way, this is another easy tradition to implement. We’ve always done this at my house, and it always surprises me how much I enjoy it every year. During our busy day-to-day lives, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything you have going on and forget to slow down and appreciate all the good things going on in your life. This Thanksgiving, take a moment to go around the table and practice some gratitude.

Watching White Christmas After Dinner

In my opinion, it should be illegal to listen to Christmas music or watch Christmas movies until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving deserves its own time to shine without being overshadowed by all things merry and bright. But that stops applying as soon as the Thanksgiving meal is over, so I can get behind this tradition. White Christmas is an old-school holiday classic that’s a perfect way to kick off the most wonderful time of the year, but any Christmas movie will do. You could even take a poll of your family members so everyone has a say in the choice. 

Hiking the Day After Thanksgiving

Even if you got your Turkey Trot 5k in on the morning of Thanksgiving, it’s still a good idea to get your body moving again the day after! Instead of scouring the mall on Black Friday, hit up a local hiking trail with your family for some fresh air. 

Hopefully, this list gives you some ideas of new traditions you can start with your family this year or old ones you can revive from your own childhood. At the end of the day, it’s not the tradition itself that’s important so much as the people you’re spending the day with. At their core, these traditions all center around family, and that’s what makes Thanksgiving so special. It’s a time to come together with the people you love, enjoy some delicious food, and remember that family is what’s most important.