Gather Round the Table: Simple Traditions to Start This Thanksgiving

This year feels different — it’s our first real Thanksgiving as a blended family. And while we don’t have many long-standing traditions yet, there’s something exciting about starting fresh and creating new ones that are ours.

For me, Thanksgiving has never been about perfection or Pinterest-worthy table settings. It’s about connection — gathering around the table, sharing gratitude, and building memories we’ll look back on in the years to come.

As we settle into this new season of life together, I’ve been thinking about a few simple traditions I’d love to start:

🕯️ The Thankful Jar: Everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving, then we read them aloud after dinner.

📖 Family Prayer & Reflection: Taking a quiet moment before we eat to thank God for His blessings and pray over our home and family. We already do this before dinner every night.

🥧 Recipe Memories: Choosing one dish each person wants to contribute — even if it’s store-bought pie or mac and cheese! It’s about making space for everyone at the table.

💛 Photo Memories: Snapping a quick picture together each year to mark how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown — not just in size, but in love.

These traditions might be new, but that’s the beauty of it — we’re building something from the ground up, rooted in gratitude and love.

And maybe, years from now, these little things will be the moments our kids remember most — laughter around the table, messy kitchen counters, and the warmth of being together.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” — Psalm 34:8

Hop over to instagram and let me know what some of your family traditions are!!