7 Ways a Writer Can Make Thanksgiving Meaningful for Family

by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden

It seems with every year that goes by, when November comes around, I feel more thankful than the year before. 

This is one of those cases like when I go to the doctor for a check-up and ask a question about some new ache or pain. My doctor’s response usually begins with the same phrase, “Well, at your age…”

But the way I feel about Thanksgiving has very little to do with my age. It is a matter of genuine thankfulness. Every year as life moves on up the number scale, I feel more thankful to still be here using the writing gifts God has given me. I love the privilege of watching my family grow and making memories with them from year to year. And, most importantly, it seems that the time I spend thanking God for the privilege of continuing to be able to share His love with others through words. “Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever” Psalm 136:1 (NIV). As we continually give thanks to God, we become closer to Him, and our relationship becomes stronger.

Here are a few suggestions for writer families to help them intentionally make new memories and keep their focus on ways to keep God at the center of our thanks

1. Create a Family Thankful Tree: Cut a tree trunk out of brown construction paper and tape to the wall with painter’s tape. Have a basket of colorful leaves (also from fall colors of construction paper) and markers. When people come in, have them write someone or something they are thankful for on a leaf and tape it on the tree. Call attention to the tree during dinner and give a few people a time to say why they are thankful for whatever is written on the leaf.

2. Ask the Question: What is one thing you are thankful for this year? If you love to provide favors for your festive dinner, give each person a small journal so they can record the things they are thankful for during the coming year. As my children grew up, I wrote in my journal the cute things they did or said and why it made me so thankful for them.

3. Family Storytelling Time: Have a time of directed story telling. For example, ask Grandpa how they celebrated Thanksgiving when he was a little boy. Did they eat turkey? Or was it just a regular holiday meal with extra folks there? Ask everyone if they can remember a story of gratitude during the previous year. 

One year when I had broken my foot, my children and grandchildren planned a surprise July 4 party. We had our July 4 dinner then talked about how thankful we were for our Armed Services personnel who protected our country. Their Grandpa told a story about when he was in the service, which gave them a better understanding about what it was like to serve our country through the military. 

The kids had me hobble to the den recliner and sit down. All the family went in another room, and I was to just sit there and wait and wait and wait! All of a sudden, the door opened, and patriot music began to blare. Here they came, all dressed up in red, white, and blue, carrying balloons on a stick in the same patriotic colors, and paraded around the recliner, laughing and giggling. Best parade ever and a wonderful memory. These stories can provide lots of fodder for writing family stories and inspire other articles as well.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” Psalm 100:4-5 (NIV).

4. A Thanksgiving Family Prayer: Be mindful as you say the prayer before your meal to mention everyone’s name in the prayer. Mention those who write, those who have the gift of encouragement, those who are helpful, etc. Thank God they are part of the family and for the special gifts He has given them. Make sure to include friends and others who are present. If your family is not one who likes to pray aloud, write out short prayers for everyone to read when it is their turn.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)

5. Giving Back through Your Gifts: Thanksgiving is often thought of as a time of generosity. Think of a way you can give to others during this season. If you are a writer or want to encourage your children to be, write notes to family or friends you haven’t seen in a long time, especially seniors or those who can’t get out much. Or donate some books you have completed to the library. Some areas have many writers in them but no one to help them learn. Volunteer your time at a church or community center or school to help writers in their area. If your children or Mom like to bake, make cookies for a neighbor. For many just a short visit is a tremendous blessing. 

6. Family Vision Board for the Year Ahead: Very soon after Thanksgiving comes the beginning of a new year. What are your goals for when we flip over a page to the next year? While Thanksgiving often focuses on the past, it can also be a time to look ahead with gratitude for what’s to come. 

Each family member can create a vision board of their hopes, dreams, and prayers for the coming year. Purchase an individual white board for everyone who attends Thanksgiving dinner at your house. Let them record their goals and dreams for the next year It might help them to divide the board into fourths so they actually have a deadline to keep in mind. For writers, use this as an exercise to visualize their own goals for articles and book projects.

7. Gratitude Meditation for Writers: Each day when you begin your writing, spend a few minutes in prayer, talking to God about the project you will work on that day. Writing is an isolated activity, and this will help you feel God’s presence as you work. Take frequent breaks and walk around the house for five or ten minutes and you will feel more energized when you get back to work. Put your favorite verse on your computer so when your eyes need a break from the computer screen, you can focus on God’s Word and how He has called you to be a writer and share His message with others. Gratitude can help you stay focused on why you write and your purpose in doing so. 

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

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Linda Gilden is an experienced, bestselling writer, speaker, award-winning editor, marketer, and speaking coach, ghostwriter, and writing coach. Author of 40 books and 2,000+ magazine articles, Linda appreciates a great story. She believes with our stories, we can change the world one word at a time and loves to encourage others to do that through writing coaching and personal tutoring. Her newest book was released in November: TRADING SHADOWS: EXCHANGING A LIFE OF SECRETS, FEAR, AND DOUBT FOR A LIFE OF FREEDOM WITH THE ALMIGHTY.