We don’t have to tell you, the holiday season is upon us. Commercials have been telling us this for weeks! Soon Halloween will be nothing but a sugary memory, and the next holiday is looming: Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. We get to eat special foods, spend time with our family and friends, and usually there is some sort of kitchen disaster that we can all laugh about later. Thanksgiving is rich with family traditions, but why not try something different this year. No, we’re not talking about trying Tofurky, but rather small ideas that you actually enjoy and do every year! Here are a few to consider:

Table cloth ideas

I love the practice during the Thanksgiving meal of naming things you’re thankful for, and this is a unique way to do it — especially since you can tear off and save particularly meaningful memories:

Try covering the table with butcher paper. Set a pen at each place setting and have each guest write a few things they’re thankful for on the paper. Then, during dessert, go around the table and read them aloud. It’s fun to keep them if you wish, or better yet, just take a picture of it!

There was a woman who started a tablecloth in the 1930s. She set it out for Thanksgiving and asked her guests to sign the tablecloth. Then she would embroider over the signatures. Imagine what a lovely heirloom this could be!

It’s all in the dough

Have you hard of gratitude rolls? Have each family member or guest write down what they’re thankful for on a strip of parchment paper and stuff it in the rolls before you bake them. During dinner, have everyone read their paper out loud and guess who wrote what! Disclaimer, although we have not done this ourselves, we have read about it on several sites. If you decide to try this, let us know how it works!

Toasts for everyone!

Another way to share your gratitude is to ask everyone at the table to make a toast. These toasts can be anything the guests would like. Some might focus on gratitude while others may raise their glass to the New Year. Whatever is chosen it is sure to bring a smile to the table. This might be better suited for a smaller group, or you could do a few at a time each time between courses.

Take a walk together after dinner

Try taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood between dinner and dessert. Nothing more needs to be said!

An oldie but a goody

At the end of the meal, find the turkey’s wishbone. Have the oldest person at the table and the youngest person at the table make a wish, then hold each end and pull! The person with the largest part will have their wish come true.

Whatever you try this year, make sure you slow down and take a moment to appreciate the good that is all around.

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