14 Of The Most Popular Thanksgiving Traditions
These are the things we look forward to every year.
When it comes to holidays, Thanksgiving is one of the best for cooking and eating. Just like everybody has their own family recipes and menu mainstays, each household celebrates Thanksgiving with their own lineup of time-honored traditions. Whether the hosts rotate every year, or Grandma always runs the show, each Thanksgiving celebration has special routines that make it unique.
With that being said, there are some traditions that you can find in households all over the country. So we've rounded up some of the most popular events that happen every Thanksgiving: from special ways to cook a turkey to TV specials to table-side traditions.
Did we miss one of your family Thanksgiving traditions? Let us know in the comments below.
Running The Turkey Trot
Whether you want to set a personal record or just want to work up an appetite before Thanksgiving dinner, participating in a local Turkey Trot is a long-standing holiday tradition.
Volunteering
Many families spend time on Thanksgiving Day participating in canned food drives or serving a holiday meal at their local soup kitchens. There’s no better way to give thanks than by serving your community.
Watching The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
One of the most fun traditions happens every year in New York City. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features balloons and floats inspired by our favorite characters. If you can’t witness the magic in person, watching it on TV is just as fun.
Watching 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'
![charlie brown](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/the-walt-disney-television-via-getty-images-television-news-photo-1694721194.jpg?crop=0.753xw:1.00xh;0.0495xw,0&resize=980:* "ABC's "Charlie Brown"")
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is essential viewing every year. Watching Snoopy make a holiday meal with popcorn, jelly beans, and buttered toast is wholesome and nostalgic.
Playing Or Watching Football
Thanksgiving falls in the thick of football season, so you can reasonably expect to find a game on television. You can also go out to the backyard to play a casual game with your family.
Deep Frying A Turkey
Turkey is a mainstay on the Thanksgiving table, but certain households up the ante by deep frying the whole bird.
Eating An Early Dinner
Thanksgiving is one of the few days out of the year where it’s socially acceptable to eat dinner at three in the afternoon.
Giving Thanks
A common Thanksgiving tradition is going around the dinner table and asking each guest the things that make them feel thankful.
Breaking The Wishbone
One beloved tradition comes with every holiday turkey: the wishbone. Two people pull the bone apart, and whoever has the larger half will have their holiday wish come true. Want to know how to win every time? Check out our guide to the wishbone tradition.
Hosting A Potluck
There are a lot of components of a classic Thanksgiving meal, so many families offload the work by hosting a potluck where everybody brings a side.
Hosting A Friendsgiving
Some people forgo the traditional family gathering by hosting a Friendsgiving instead.
Taking A Nap
Maybe it’s the intense work in the kitchen, maybe it’s the tryptophan in the turkey, but odds are you’ll need a nap after Thanksgiving dinner.
Shopping On Black Friday
Black Friday seemingly starts earlier every year. There’s no better way to wrap up Thanksgiving than lining up for some sweet deals.
Breaking Out The Christmas Decor
Some people are excited for Thanksgiving to be over solely to usher in the Christmas spirit. And honestly, we don’t blame them.
50 Fourth Of July Picnic Recipes
50 Fourth of July Cakes
65 Fourth Of July Party Appetizers
50 Festive 4th Of July Drinks
