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14 Of The Most Popular Thanksgiving Traditions

These are the things we look forward to every year.

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holiday turkey dinner
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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.

1

Running The Turkey Trot

long islanders take part in thanksgiving turkey trot race
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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.

2

Volunteering

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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.

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3

Watching The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

2022 macy's thanksgiving day parade
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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.

4

Watching 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

charlie brown
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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.

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5

Playing Or Watching Football

multi ethnic family playing football in backyard at thanksgiving
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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.

6

Deep Frying A Turkey

deep frying turkey in hot oil for christmas and thanksgiving
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Turkey is a mainstay on the Thanksgiving table, but certain households up the ante by deep frying the whole bird.

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7

Eating An Early Dinner

stuffed turkey for thanksgiving holidays with pumpkin, peas, pecan, berry pie, cheese variations and other ingredient
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Thanksgiving is one of the few days out of the year where it’s socially acceptable to eat dinner at three in the afternoon.

8

Giving Thanks

family having traditional thanksgiving dinner at home
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A common Thanksgiving tradition is going around the dinner table and asking each guest the things that make them feel thankful.

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9

Breaking The Wishbone

close up of unrecognizable people pulling wishbone on thanksgiving dinner
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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.

10

Hosting A Potluck

casual thanksgiving dinner with multiple plates
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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.

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11

Hosting A Friendsgiving

woman serving his family stuffed turkey on thanksgiving dinner at dining table
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Some people forgo the traditional family gathering by hosting a Friendsgiving instead.

12

Taking A Nap

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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.

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13

Shopping On Black Friday

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Black Friday seemingly starts earlier every year. There’s no better way to wrap up Thanksgiving than lining up for some sweet deals.

14

Breaking Out The Christmas Decor

woman carrying christmas lights in cardboard box
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Some people are excited for Thanksgiving to be over solely to usher in the Christmas spirit. And honestly, we don’t blame them.

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