This Thanksgiving I had opportunity to try out a couple ideas for leading children to develop attitudes of thankfulness which I learned at the recent seminars I attended. In the process, our family began a new Thanksgiving activity I hope will become a family tradition. It's called the "Thanksgiving Box." Before Thanksgiving I purchased some tiny maple leaf candies which I individually wrapped and attached a Bible verse card. Then I placed the candies in a box which I wrapped in several autumn-themed papers (one wrapping paper for each person who would be at our Thanksgiving dinner.) Included in each wrapping was a slip of paper with some instructions on it, such as, "Tell something that has happened this past year for which you are thankful," "Share a childhood memory of Thanksgiving or invite someone at the table to do so," "Offer the blessing for our Thanksgiving dinner," "Share something you have seen or heard for which you are thankful," "Lead the group in reciting Psalm 100," and so on. Once the box was wrapped and re-wrapped, I placed it on the table. When everyone was seated I invited someone to begin by taking off the first wrapping and doing what the paper said inside. Then they passed it to the next person who took off the next paper. We continued passing the box around the table while we ate until everyone had taken off one wrapping and followed the instructions inside. The last person passed the box around and everyone took a little maple leaf candy for dessert. The whole meal was spent in praise to God and thanksgiving for His leading throughout the past year. Many at our table, including the children commented how much they enjoyed the activity. We'll definitely do it again next year!
Another idea I adapted was to have Alyssa take two tiny baskets and fill it with as many little things as she could that represent things for which she is thankful. I hung the little baskets on an ornament hanger (in picture above on right side) and put hanger on the Thanksgiving dinner table. During the meal let her tell our guests what things she had found. She really seemed to like this activity. In the other two baskets I put little magnetic alphabet letters. As part of the box activity described above, a guest was to pick a letter from the baskets and tell something beginning with that letter for which they were thankful. This activity worked well for both children and adults at our table.
Our friends put on a little program about the Mayflower, pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.
It was a dress-up party, so I made Alyssa a pilgrim dress at her request. I made a matching doll dress for her favorite doll.
Pilgrim Jonathan had just awakened from a nap and still wanted his pacifier.
The kids played together, ate a delicious meal, and had a wonderful time.
Alyssa's favorite thing about the whole party was a little fluffy kitten who was quite content to be carried everywhere. Alyssa was happy to oblige it.
Our friends put on a little program about the Mayflower, pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.
It was a dress-up party, so I made Alyssa a pilgrim dress at her request. I made a matching doll dress for her favorite doll.
Pilgrim Jonathan had just awakened from a nap and still wanted his pacifier.
Alyssa's favorite thing about the whole party was a little fluffy kitten who was quite content to be carried everywhere. Alyssa was happy to oblige it.
