Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to stop and appreciate what we have in union with friends, family and
community. Involving traditions that focus on appreciation can be fun, easy, cost-free and may even outrank your grandma’s apple pie as the most anticipated aspect of the entire holiday. Here are some simple, cost-free alternatives.
· Create a gratitude centerpiece. Invite each guest to bring a small object that represents something for which they are thankful. As they arrive, they can put the object in a glass bowl in the center of the table, or directly on the table if you prefer. Once everyone has arrived, you can play with placement of the objects on the table, interspersing them with items from nature like acorns, leaves, and berries to make this collaborative tableau. Sometime during the meal, each guest can explain what their gift represents. You will not only have created a beautiful and unique centerpiece, but a new oral tradition.
· Box of thanks. Place small strips of paper and a pen at each place. Make or decorate a box including the words, “Thanksgiving 2008,” and set in the center of the table. Ask everyone to write on the paper strip, then read aloud, the thing they are most thankful for this year. After reading, place the strips in the box, where they will remain at the “heart” of the Thanksgiving meal. Next year, bring out the 2008 box and the host or hostess can read all the strips before putting out a new box for 2009. Imagine after 10 years, how the reminders of gratitude will multiply.
· “T” is for the Thankful Game. Depending on the number of guests, you’ll need a few words related to Thanksgiving, like Thanksgiving, gratitude, turkey dinner, cranberry sauce. Start the game by saying the word, i.e. Thanksgiving. The host begins by talking about something she is grateful for that starts with a “t.” The next person says something he is grateful for beginning with an “h,” etc. Once you’ve gone through the first word if you have more players or want to go around again, choose another word or word combination.
· Walk of appreciation. After enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, instead of grabbing a snooze on the couch, bundle up and take the family on a flashlight or candlelit walk around the block. During the first five minutes to walk silently together, thinking of all the things for which you are grateful. As the walk continues, share your gratitude list with each other.
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and the authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Celebrations, Holidays and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET.
I love buying baby clothes. When I was younger, I remember going shopping with my mom and my best friend. While my mom was busy looking for clothes, my bf and I pretended to shop for baby clothes. Now, my friends are having kids and I can actually buy clothes for real babies. My new favorite line is Organically Grown. It is affordable 100% pure organic cotton baby wear. How affordable? $22-$38 at Macy’s and Gottschalks!
