Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Yah! That means lots of yummy food and more dessert than any one person should ever consume. It also means we parents have a great opportunity to put some fun traditions in place with our kids. Here are a few Thanksgiving traditions that are both easy and inexpensive.

Easy Thanksgiving Traditions: 

1. Make a Thankful Tablecloth.  

I bought a plain tablecloth at Wal-Mart a few years back. At Thanksgiving every year, each person in my family traces the outline of his or her hand on the tablecloth with a permanent marker and then writes in the handprint one thing for which he or she is thankful.

When my oldest was four, he said he was thankful for “the food of Chex.” I have a feeling this tablecloth will be one of my most treasured possessions 🙂

2. Begin a Family Thanksgiving Journal. 

This is a super easy but also meaningful tradition to start with your family. All you do is list things in your journal that you and your family are thankful for. Simple as that. Then look back on the previous year’s blessings and enjoy!

3. Do Thanksgiving Crafts.

Like this fingerprint turkey from Cards by CG.

Or this hand print turkey from Feels Like Home.

Isn’t this Thankful Pumpkin from One Artsy Mama adorable?

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to work with your children on memorizing Bible verses about being thankful. You can download a great (FREE) PRINTABLE resource at Faith Gateway.

Let’s make this Thanksgiving one to remember, not because of the “things” we do but because of the memories we create!

Now, I want to hear from you. What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? 

*This post was first published in 2013, but has been updated.