Thanks.

Spend the morning feeding the homeless at a soup kitchen. The best way to show thanks is to give of yourself.

Other than one year when my husband and I were alone we have had Thanksgiving at relatives. But here are some ideas I would do if it were just us and our kids.

I would include the kids in the preparations - based on their age of course. Let them help cook. I would ask them to think of some people/things/etc. that they are thankful for and ask them to share them either before eating or during dessert time. Mainly stress the "Thanksgiving" part. If you want to include the Pilgrim history or the War Veteran history that would be appropriate also. Then just enjoy the family, the food, the football etc.

Yes, have the kids say what they are thankful for. In a related matter, my brother has his kids say every night at the table what the best thing was that happened to them that day, and the worst thing. It's a good jumping off point for discussions.

Unfortunately, I probably will spend Thanksgiving alone again this year ("sniff") with a TV dinner turkey; probably surfing FR or watching the Antique Roadshow on the tube. Later, I'll crank up my old '65 bug and visit the infirmed elderly in the geriatrics clinic down the street--I just hope they can remember how to play gin, let alone my name this year. Then, I'll probably come home and read until I can fall asleep. Ho hum, just another day in paradise!

You should play poker with them! You could do well for yourself. :)

Naw...drinking games would be better! 3-man, Spoon, Bullsh!t...now that's family entertainment </just kidding>

Ok, I'll be serious now. We used to make butter the old fashioned way (before they had Country Crock) and make hard tack. Kids love that stuff - they make the connection to our history.

Make sure you express the THANKS in thanksgiving - we Americans are truly blessed!

Got an empty chair over at our house. Of course, you'll be surrounded by my liberal family.

On second thought, can I go with you?

Kids are best impressed indirectl,y in my experience. Some things we do that make the day important are to start early. A little while after Halloween, I got out some special decorations we use from year to year and started then talking about celebrating another year in which we had been given our daily bread.

Our Church year starts with Advent, the month of preparation and penitence in preparation for Christmas, so there is a nice tie in with closing out the year with thankfulness in November - and I can largely avoid all those Indians and Pilgrims.

Last week was the time for looking at recipes together (although this year for the first time in ages we will be going out of town to family - part of that supprt the economy get back on the road thing). We talk about whose recipes they were and how they are part of the family. Most of the cooking can be done with even a very little one helping, if you think about in stages and leave plenty of time. Saturday before Thanksgiving is great for making cranberry conserve and mincemeat. Refrigerator rolls can be made on Sunday night, after a dinner of chicken and dumplins made with a whole chicken to ensure adequate stock for the dressing and gravy. Bread has to be spread to dry and crumbled - that is a Monday to Tuesday job for little hands especially. WIping the good china and accessories and setting the table can be done on Wednsday, if you use a formal dining room. Even if you don't getting out the good stuff should happen on Wednesday so there will be no rush that can lead to dropped plates and fear of using special things for special occasions.

Table centerpieces are the coveted job, and always merit a picture, which from year to year will come out for inspriation and comparison. You end up with lots of pine cone turkeys that way, but the memories and the pride can't be beat - using good china heightens the charm.

Church for sure, lists of things to be thankful for for sure, NO football, for us, LOL. We do get out the Christmas videos and jointly pick which one will be the first one for the Christmas season and watch it together.

One thing that I really do recommend - based on experience - start a Holiday book for your kids. When the boys get married, their new wives will bless your name forever if she has the family traditions and recipes, especially if there are photos. Saves on the look of shock on new hubby's face, when he finds out that sweet potatos can be candied instead of whipped, like dear old mom made.

This Thanksgiving I will be thanking God for you, meandog, and for FreeRepublic. The infirm have no one else but you. Bless you for being there with them. You are never alone. We also will pray for the people who lost family in the WTC and thanking Him for our being alive and being able to celebrate Thanksgiving. God Bless You for what you do for others.(see? now you have made me cry)

My family and I travel to my mothers for a feast.
Also, watch The Lions lose...

The way the Packers stunk up Lambeau Field last Sunday the Lions fans may be in for a pleasant surprise and a victory.

This Thanksgiving I will be thanking God for you, meandog, and for FreeRepublic. The infirm have no one else but you. Bless you for being there with them. You are never alone. We also will pray for the people who lost family in the WTC and thanking Him for our being alive and being able to celebrate Thanksgiving. God Bless You for what you do for others.(see? now you have made me cry)

WOW! What a nice message! ...and all the while I was of the opinion that only mean-spirited and hard right-wing Republicans who love the rich and hate the poor dominated Free Republic. You've made me rethink my thoughts!

now see? u made me cry and u made me feel good. Stop it.LOL. j/k. Giving of urself is the best gift u can give to anyone. Happy Thanksgiving to u. Know we will be thinking about u this Thanksgiving.

Saw this in a magazine...(something different...and it does get everyone thinking about their thankfulness.

At the beginning of the day

Get a large pine cone, make a turkey head (proportional) and comb and stick it within the top side of pine cone. Make a number of different colored feathers (long narrow ovals or so) (probably 4-5 for each person) place in basket with pens/felt pens. Have everyone write down one thing they are thankful for. Place the colored feathers within the pine cone. Use as table ornament?

Sometime during dinner and/or dessert have someone read them all aloud.

My family used to do this while placing icicles on the Christmas tree

Saw this in a magazine...(something different...and it does get everyone thinking about their thankfulness.

At the beginning of the day

Get a large pine cone, make a turkey head (proportional) and comb and stick it within the top side of pine cone. Make a number of different colored feathers (long narrow ovals or so) (probably 4-5 for each person) place in basket with pens/felt pens. Have everyone write down one thing they are thankful for. Place the colored feathers within the pine cone. Use as table ornament?

Sometime during dinner and/or dessert have someone read them all aloud.

My family used to do this while placing icicles on the Christmas tree

Eat a turkey, drink a bottle of wine, pass into Alcohol / L-Tryptophan stupor on sofa.

With cheese of course!

And a turkey. And a bottle of Nonini.

Invite me over for dinner. The kids will have a real Indian to share with just like the Pilgrims did.~~{;^D