Over the years, my children and I have focused on various historical aspects of Thanksgiving traditions and used a variety of ways to focus on and enrich our celebrations. We have read lavishly illustrated living history stories about the Pilgrims' celebrating their first Thanksgiving, made colorful Pilgrim and Indian costumes and head-coverings, roasted our turkey outside on a spit over coals, and other hands-on activities to create memories. We have prepared traditional foods such as spicy pumpkin and apple pies, Indian pudding and arisen early to gather together and watch parades and football games.

Children of all ages, however, can learn that Thanksgiving has a richer and deeper meaning when they are involved in all aspects of the preparations and are taught how to focus on the spiritual blessings God has bestowed on them and their family as modeled by their parents.

In our family, we don't have extended family members that live close by to celebrate with, therefore, we have had to dig deeper to create a fruitful and meaningful celebration that we eagerly anticipate each year. Although we use Thanksgiving as a time to reflect on material and financial blessings, we endeavor to take time to talk about and reflect on the spiritual blessings experienced both personally and as a family. In fact, we have found that amidst family afflictions and conflicts a quintessential opportunity presented to focus on and recognize God's abundant blessings amidst the challenges and

trials inherent in daily living. Reflection time enables us to experience deeper appreciation of God's love, His sufficiency, His great and precious promises of faithfulness, provision, mercy, goodness, and the completed work of the cross.

Difficulties and disappointments of life are tools that God uses to prune us so that we may bring forth more fruit in our lives. Difficulties help us to learn to count it all joy and give thanks in all circumstances.  

In our family, a preparation of our traditional family recipes sets the stage for an unforgettable and worthwhile Thanksgiving celebration. When we have eaten and are satisfied, our immediate family gathers together, not necessarily on Thanksgiving Day, to praise the Lord for all his benefits, to give thanks to him and praise his name and especially to focus on what He has been doing in the life of each of us.

Your Thanksgiving meal will be more enjoyable and noteworthy when you take time to plan the menu, assemble recipes, contact guests, make shopping lists, and prepare decorations several weeks ahead of time. When the menu is planned and the grocery list is complete, make lists and create a timeline for completing food preparations, decorations, cleaning tasks and other preparations ahead of the big day. Be sure to involve all the children. Set aside the academics for a few days and focus on the life skills and memories that they can be develop.

Children of all ages enjoy simple to complex kitchen tasks including milling wheat into flour, measuring dry ingredients, stirring and kneading dough, rolling pie crusts, cutting fruits and vegetable, arranging trays of pickles, olives, and vegetables, mixing up dips, cutting fruits and vegetables, opening cans, shaping rolls, washing dishes, dusting furniture, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, putting away clutter, setting the table, preparing decorations and more.