The cooler weather and the changing leaves make me smile. Fall is my favorite time of the year.
I love putting little fall touches throughout my home. But I’ll admit most of my fall decorating efforts are just plain pitiful. So, when I found some items that look beautiful and have a God-honoring purpose, I just had to share.
My amazing friend, Lori, set these up in her home so I could see how to copy them. I’m all about copying decorating ideas! If you are too… enjoy!
Leave Him Thanks Wreath: This wreath is a unique addition to any home during the fall, Thanksgiving, or year-round. Made with leaves of vintage paper imprinted with verses and hymns of praise, it can serve as a reminder for you and your family to leave the Lord thanks in both word and song.
It’s a beautiful way to apply Deuteronomy 6:6-9 in your home: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Untie Your Story Napkin Ties: As you gather friends and family around your table, add a vintage feel with these 12 reusable napkin ties. Each frayed-edged ribbon is imprinted with a different question or thought to invite heart-crafted conversation focused on gratitude, such as:
– Name one aspect about the way you were raised for which you are grateful.
– Have you ever waited for something and later discovered that the delay was for your good? Describe why you are now grateful for the waiting time.
– Name five gifts from God that you can see from where you are sitting right now.
Hear untold stories about family and friends and share your own experiences around the Thanksgiving Day table or any time of year.
And here’s a special bonus – I liked these items designed by the amazing Barbara Rainey so much, I asked her if I could sell them to my friends through the Proverbs 31 Ministries store. She agreed! So, now I can make my friends happy and raise money to support the ministry. And that just makes me thrilled. Click here to purchase your fall decorations. (Please note: we have a very limited supply so if you’re interested in these items, place your order right away!)
Today, I’m giving away one wreath and one set of napkin ties. For your chance to win, leave a comment below with your most treasured Thanksgiving memory.
Watching A Christmas Story and eating cherry cheesecake at my grandmothers house!
My most memorable Thanksgiving was 4 years ago. It was the last one before my sister passed from cancer. I will forever cherish the immediate family picture together with mom dad my 2 sisters and brother. A family picture will never be the same. So very Thankful for that moment.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory isn’t exactly the happiest, but was indeed evidence of God’s amazing provision. We are now parents if three boys, but our first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage 3 days before Thanksgiving. We were heartbroken, but with it being Thanksgiving week, our hearts were turned to gratitude and thanks for all He had done for us. We felt such peace at such a sad time. I really believe that focusing on our gratitude to Him and being surrounded with our families at Thanksgiving was a gift He gave us to help us through.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is Thanksgiving 2009. My then Fiancé was living in the States while I was living in Canada. He and his oldest son drove all night to surprise me thanksgiving morning (after telling me he couldn’t make it). We spent the day with my family, and although we didn’t it at the time, it was the last thanksgiving we would get to spend with my dad before he passed away. I don’t remember great details about that weekend, but I do know that there will never be another thanksgiving like that.
It was at my grandpa & grandma’s house, who lived out of town. I remember sitting around their big table with my family. It was wonderful!!
myfavorite thanksgiving was 2002 when my family and my new boyfriend traveled to Colorado to visit friends, who are like family. we had such a great week together fellowshipping, eating, making memories, and them all getting to know my now husband of ten years 🙂
my next favorite is this upcoming one, we’re all going to Disneyland for the week!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was in 2006 when my oldest son was just 6 months old (he is now 7). My parents came to visit us here in Nebraska and celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving. It was fun to celebrate with my Canadian and American family and a wonderful memory helping my mom cook a huge turkey. We also made grape jelly from the grape vines growing in our side yard which was super fun and yummy!
I love the napkin ties I have never seen anything so neat in my life that would make for great dinner conversation during the holidays
My most treasured memory was Thanksgiving 2008. My husband and I were living in Korea in a very small apartment (it was more like a closet). I cooked all day for just the two of us, well three since I was 4 months pregnant. We had so much food and we just ate and ate and ate and laughed! And then after a nap we got up and ate some more!
I don’t have just one special or treasured Thanksgiving memory that stands out in particular from the rest. I just LOVE that time of year! My husband and I started hosting our family for Thanksgiving our first year of marriage mainly out of necessity. We both worked jobs that didn’t allow us the time off so our family came to us! It was a small first gathering and has grown and changed over the years. We’re from Iowa, but moved to Louisiana for a couple of years and each year we had family join us on Thanksgiving. When I think of Thanksgiving I think of warmth, and by that I mean my heart! I just love the whole day, waking up early to prepare the meal, having family come in and out for the day and just enjoying each other’s company.
I absolutely LOVE both of these ideas – the wreath and napkin ties. Beautiful!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory, may be when we took a trip out to my auntie’s at the ocean and we took along a friend, we ate wonderful food and sang songs, each of us before we prayed over dinner said what we were grateful for….woke up to a beautiful sunrise and deer on the Gulf course backing up her back yard.
Thank you so much.
There isn’t just one Thanksgiving that sticks out in particular. I just remember that it was the one time a year that family would make the drive to make sure we were always together. This holiday seems to make everyone truly “thankful” for what God has given them and to be there to celebrate with family. I love what you do Lysa and thank you for your inspirational & simple words that make it so easy to relate to and put into use! God Bless You!
My treasured memories of Thanksgiving are going to the yearly Egg Bowl Miss State and Ole Miss. I got to go by myself with my dad and eat in the Miss State cafeteria. When the game was over we would go to my grandmothers and join my mother and her family. I cherish the time I had my sweet dad all to myself . Today we still go to Miss State ballgames. We lost my mom to breast cancer 25 years ago and miss her especially at holidays .
Love, love, love!!! I too am not great at keeping up with holiday decorations. Two simple, awesome ideas!! Thanks for sharing!
My most treasured memory is having Thanksgiving at my grandparents. Walking into their house, the house smelling so wonderful, my grandmother humming her gospel hymns while cooking, my sweet grandfather who I miss terribly sitting at the head of table blessing us and the food. My cousins, my aunts. Oh, how I could go on and on. I want my children to have those same kind of memories.
I absolutely love your Thanksgiving decorating ideas!!! Fall is by far my most favorite season of the year (Spring is a close second with all the beautiful, colorful flowers!!) and Thanksgiving is my most enjoyable family holiday. Thanks for sharing. Your ideas are both beautiful and inspirational!
I don’t have a treasured moment. However I do look forward to the yearly tradition of going over the in-laws (which is shared every other year at my m-i-l or her sisters houses), eating the Thanksgiving Staples ( turkey, Mac-n-cheese, dressing, cranberry, sauce, etc) ooh, Im getting excited writing about it ! It’s not only the food, but the games, but most importantly the men on clean up. There is nothing like tradition ! Who knows maybe one day our house can get in on the rotation!
One of my most treasured Thanksgivings was some years ago when my brother used to host them. He had tables set up in his family room so we could all be together. Three of those people are now seated at the heavenly banquet. My mind keeps going back to that one and even the conversations we had that day. I’m so thankful he did that.
Thanksgiving 2012. A year after we moved into this home, alas we were settled in! The place that God undeniably called us to, this our physical home on Earth. 16 of us sat elbow to elbow, with heaping plates of food of thanksgiving goodness. At long last, a table that would seat both sides of my husband and my immediate family! Our table, was maxed out!!! THIS was the vision my husband and I had when we saw the house: Thanksgiving around the biggest table that could fit in this space, that we could afford. Truly a dream come true after more than a decade of marriage, our first home; our family here!
Only one person was missing: Mom. Officially to me “mother-in-law”. Yet she was so much more: friend, mom, model of a Christian momma. She had suddenly passed in February earlier that year. This table arrived a couple weeks after. She never got to see it the way we saw it. That Thanksgiving, we felt the sting of missing a loved one, the joy of family, and we welcomed in another — who this August became my sister’s husband.
God spoke poignantly last Thanksgiving. Mom is celebrating in Heaven, at Home. And one day we will be celebrating together again.
Thanksgiving 2009. My mom was dying – she ended up passing in June 2010 – all my sibs (5 plus me!) and their families plus some of my Mom’s dearest friends came to my house – 22 people. It was crazy – and crazy good. But the best part was when my 2-yr old son, who hadn’t really bonded with my mom yet b/c of her chemo and such, crawled out of my lap 1/2 way through dinner without any prompting and walked over to my mom and just crawled into her lap for the rest of dinner. Even now it makes me cry to know that before she died, she knew Jacob loved her :)! It was – and will probably always be – my most precious Thanksgiving memory.
One that my family shares and still talks about after 30 plus years was the year mom served steak for Thanksgiving. I am ashamed to say how much complaining my brothers and I expressed over not having turkey. Thankfully we have a strong mom who rose above our ungratefulness, corrected us and loved us anyway. We soon came to realize that Thanksgiving was not about the food but the family we share life with through ups and downs including memories we can now laugh about!
I have many thanksgiving memories. They all have to do with being around tables with family (kids and adult tables). The special time is when we say a prayer that my grandfather wrote many years ago when my mom was little. He has since gone to be with The Lord but it is always special and brings tears to our eyes. Thank you for sharing these ideas. We just bought a new house and look forward welcoming our family and friends to finally come to our table to give thanks.
My Thanksgiving memory came early this year. My 90 year old grandmother took a turn for the worse over the summer, by September it was apparent that she was not going to last much longer. We decided to take the kids out of school, put our week on hold and drive to spend the day with her. It was the best decision we ever made. I got to sit and hold her hand while my children played at her bedside. We saw my grandfather, all of our aunts, uncles, and even a cousin who flew in from California. The kids wondered what holiday it was since everyone was there. We usually only see our extended family at Christmas. As my grandmother slept it was amazing to see her surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am so thankful for that day. We lost her in October but the memory of that day and the love my children felt for their great-grandmother and the family will live on forever.
Having my family together for the first time as one great bit family. Through many trials and tribulations and Sarah trying to rip us all apart we made it through the year and each went around the room saying what we were most thankful for! There were lots of hugs and tears and most of all lots of thankfulness!
To be honest, family holiday gatherings are the hardest.
I go with a longing in my heart for acceptance or even just a simple hug good bye. I used to leave and cry most of the way home in my over hour drive. Now, I drive away and say ‘thank you Jesus just for letting me have some time with them, even without a hug’.
Just found out this morning that we will be hosting Thanksgiving this year. Love the napkin ties!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memories go back to when I was a kid. We always visited my Aunt Betsy’s house. When I was old enough, I got to help prepare the dinner. I was in charge of the deviled eggs. As I grew, so did my responsibilities in the kitchen.
I love remembering when I was little and watched my dad carve the turkey. Amazing how perfect it looked and how hard my mom worked for everything to be done at the same time- still struggle with that!:)
My favorite memories of Thanksgiving was when I was young. There were 7 of us kids in the family and my Grandparents lived across the alley from us. My Mom would be cooking and baking all day and the house would smell amazing. I would always help my Grandma make stuffed celery because we both loved that. I still make it to remind me of her.
Hearing my five year old daughter recite psalm 100 for the family just before dinner. Love His word of thanksgiving from a little one!
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. An extra special time to REALLY focus on God’s endless blessings in our lives. One of my most treasured Memories is the years we as a family kept a Thanksgiving journal. Each day in November (and sometimes all the way through to Christmas) my husband, three children, and I would write down in a journal what we were thankful for that day. Then we would use the same journal for our family Thanksgiving gatherings and have the extended family write their blessings as well. Once in awhile I sit and read through it and am filled to overflowing.
My most cherished memory of Thanksgiving is saying the blessing before the meal. Usually there are people present who don’t know Christ as their personal Savior. This gives them another opportunity to think about Him even if they don’t any other time of year.
Best Thanksgiving memory was 14 years ago-the last one my old family was intact. My husband, grandparents & parents have gone to Heaven. Its just me & my two daughters…they are now 10 & 13…I still strive for a new precious Thanksgiving memory. I SO want to be grateful w/out focusing on all I’ve lost.
Thanks for sharing… Loving the Give Thanks Wreath!! I’m going to make one w/ fall colors & have the kids write what they are thankful for!! What a fabulous idea… God Bless You!!
Thanksgiving 2012…..after superstorm Sandy…..we had power, family & turkey!
Love these “Thank Him” ideas!
Holidays have always been a struggle for us… God is faithful and I have hope that this thanksgiving 2013 will be the beginning of all things new for my family. Thank you Lysa for writing Unglued.
These are wonderful ideas, I love them. My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was a few years ago when we hosted my husband’s family. we were 22 in total and we were all together for about 5 days. after the meal we went around sharing what we were most thankful for, amidst tears and laughter. My sweet sister in law Geri shared so much and she was so open, it was wonderful to hear her, she had so much on her heart. Sadly, that was our last Thanksgiving together, she died suddenly the following spring. I cherish that memory always.
Before my Dad moved us 1000 miles away from family, it was the years at Grandma’s surrounded by a large family who laughed and joked. After we moved, my most memorable was back in the early 2000’s I opened my little tiny house to those that had no family. It wasn’t fancy, people had to eat at my coffee table or on their lap but it was joyful and warm as they were grateful for a meal and a place to go and not be alone at least one day. Take care, Kris
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was last year… My family celebrated Thanksgiving w/ my parents for the first in 13 years.
It was even extra special because my mom was released from the hospital the day before and she called to let us know Thanksgiving dinner was ‘back on!’ My mom wanted to be home in time for many reasons: she was happy to be alive because she almost passed that hospital stay, she was caring for her own mother who suffered a few strokes & she was celebrating all of us getting together!!…
Missing my mom & Grandma this year, but giving Thanks they are together w/ Jesus!!
My most treasured Thanksgiving moment was at my Dad’s house the first Thanksgiving I had a child. It’s amazing how they change your perspective on life. I remember crying as everyone was telling what they were thankful for because I was so thankful for this precious gift God entrusted me to raise.
Probably my favorite Thanksgiving memory…We ( my mother, siblings and their spouses), had just sat down to begin our meal, when there was a knock at the door. We opened the door, and there stood my brother Danny, home from Iraq. We all cried and couldn’t believe it! My Mom especially…so poignant.
I was in my 20’s, single, and living in another state, away from immediate family. My boyfriend (later to become my husband) was away at sea and would not be home on Thanksgiving Day, but the next day, Friday. I had been cooking/preparing all day to celebrate with him and a large group of friends coming to my little one bedroom house on Thanksgiving Day and decided to go for a walk with my dog around the neighborhood. The sun was setting and it was just turning to evening, so people’s lights were on, but curtains and shades had not been drawn yet. I saw family after family gathered together around tables with a pile of parked cars in the driveway. I could hear talking and laughter. Delicious sweet and savory smells wafted by me as I passed houses. It was beautiful! It made me ache for my family, but it also made me think about heaven and how the bible talks about us being gathered at a banquet table. I thought, “This must be what it’s like during mealtimes in heaven…!”
It is so hard to choose which memory is my favorite! I love Thanksgiving because we make it all about God and family! Last year my children and I made a thankful tree and hung it on our door. Everyone that came into our home had to write something they were thankful for and we placed it on the tree.
The best Thanksgivings were at my dads parents home. An-mom we called her always made a huge dinner and every family member came – no one dared not to! There were always 20-30 people in and out that day and Anmom always made sure that we all were fed and loved on and that we knew family mattered.
One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories is that my mother decided to visit my family 4 months after the death of my father. It was crazy with the dishwasher breaking down the day before the feast but it was special that her young grandsons could minister to her during her time of grief.
We spend every Thanksgiving with my dad’s family. My favorite memory hasn’t happened yet. This Thanksgiving will be so memorable. My cousin is in the military and has been overseas for so long that it’s been years since I’ve seen him. It will be a precious and emotional reunion this year.
I love these decorations that help us to remember all that we have to be thankful for. It’s easy to get caught up in what food you are cooking/eating and lose track if what thanksgiving really is about. Every thanksgiving that I can celebrate with healthy family and friends is a treasure memory to me
My most treasured Thanksgivings are the ones where we can be together as a family in Arizona. I live in Florida with my two year old and husband. I am in preterm labor on bed rest away from my family until I have the baby so I know this years Thanksgiving will have a whole new meaning. Being away from family on Thanksgiving will be so hard but relying on Gods strength in this trial.
My most treasured Thanksgiving was in 2007. I have a large family, and most of it gathered in the home where I grew up. It was a joyous day! I treasure it because it was the last one I spent with my Dad. He died January 9, 2008.
The most treasured memory for me is spending time with family
Spending quality time at the pumpkin farm
My favorite memory is my first Thanksgiving spent with my husband.
November 8, 2010 I was sitting in a meeting and had my phone off. When I turned it back on I had 5 missed calls. My dad had a heart attack. He was in the hospital up until a few days before Thanksgiving. We always have something to be thankful for, but that year we had even more to be thankful for
My most treasured Thanksgiving was in 1994; Maw Maw’s last one with us. The Matriarch of the family insisted on Sunday dinners (similar to those in the movie and tv series Soulfood). And just like Mama Joe said, “One finger won’t make an impact, but you ball all those fingers into a fist, and you can strike a mighty blow. Now, this family has got to be that fist.” So said Maw Maw.
I love thanksgiving and everything about the season. There are too many “favorites” to choose just one! I turned 30 on thanksgiving day this past year and that was a unique time for me to look back and truly see all that I have to be thankful for. God has been so good! Being surrounded by our families and the people I love most was the best gift.
My most cherished thanksgiving memory was 33 years ago when I married my husband that morning then had thanksgiving meal with each of our families before leaving for our honeymoon. Although the holiday doesn’t always fall on our anniversary, it is always celebrated with lots of family around us. It is my favorite holiday of all!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! A few years ago (gosh, probably 10+ by now), we went back to my hometown to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was great fun and one of the last holidays with my mom, so it was extra special!
The Thansgiving after my husband recovered from cancer. We sat around the table, family intact. No one had to be asked what they were thankful for. No one need say a word. The atmosphere said it all.
My favorite Thanksgiving is every year, yes some play more in my heart and soul then others but mostly I just rejoice and am thankful for all the blessings that God has giving me and has blessed me and my family with! You see we have had a lot of turmoil in our life (from one of our adult children) and we had to make a choice after we found out the truth, would his actions and his lies affect us the rest of our lives? Would we blame ourselves for the crap he has put upon himself? Would we forgive him and carry on even though he won’t speak to us? All of this put so many questions and mixed feelings in my and our minds! We realize that God is good all the time and to not doubt ourselves as parent’s and how messed up life can be from someone’s choices they have made! (Ouch) I don’t wake up happy every day, I struggle with health challenges and positive thoughts allot! BUT, I realize all the blessings I have in my life, and how God has fixed allot of my brokenness and now I see my blessings and joy that is in my heart! I reflect on how God had placed people into my life to help me when I doubt who or why I am on this earth still. I can now Skype with my daughter-in-law and the babies (even though that was what has pushed my son away) but his choices and his divorce and his ways are not my ways nor do I choose to be like him! I choice to love and live my life for our Heavenly Father, I choice to have a skip in my step and a song on my heart and a love that is overflowing with the many blessings from God! I am so grateful each day but on a thankful day as Thanksgiving, I am even more grateful for a God that is ever present and a God that supplies all of our/my needs, and a God that loves me even when I mess up or struggle! So as we approach this Thankful Day I will give thanks to God for all he continues to do for us and my daughters and praise him for working triple fold in this difficult relationship that needs mended and fixed as of yet! I give thanks with a grateful heart for what God has given me each and everyday and I will have a song in my heart and skip in my step because my heart is bursting and overflowing with thankfulness and joy!
Thank you Lisa, you don’t know this but I really think you and I are allot alike and I treasure your words and your thoughts and how God places certain encouraging words from you on days I need to hear it the most! Love you girlfiend, thank you for blessing me triplefold once again!
Thanksgiving at my grandmothers house with all the family and cousins…..a brisk day with sweet smells, football on the TV, board games, and waiting for the hunters to return to enjoy the big meal…..Ahhhh such memories. <3
My Thanksgiving memory goes back awhile, back to my childhood when we had our Thanksgiving meals at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. They both have been gone heaven but when I see their china (which I have) and some small glass dishes that she used on the table, the memories take me back. Sometimes I can even get a smell of the food. 🙂
Now the memories are my sister-in-law and I taking turns having the Thanksgiving meal at our house.
Each year is special since the parents are getting older and you start to cherish each year that you have.
My most memorable Thanksgiving was 2004. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer and was scheduled for surgery right after Thanksgiving that year. We gathered everyone at our house even family that do not usually join us for a wonderful meal and fellowship. Celebrating mom!! Thankfully she recovered well and we have been blessed with many more Thanksgiving Day’s with her!
Beautiful! Made my heart happy!
Thanksgiving is a BIG deal at our house- even more then Christmas. One Thanksgiving, when my daughter was at college, she could not come home for the holidays because of an event the college had. We were not about to celebrate without her! Her brother drove over 2 1/2 hours, while we drove over an hour just to meet her for a 45 minute gap she had that morning. There was nothing open but a Waffle House so we dashed over there and celebrated with her, took our annual family picture, and said our goodbyes. It was the fastest celebration ever but she still talks about us doing that just to be with her. 🙂 Later that day, when our whole extended family arrived at our house for the big dinner, we had our daughter’s picture sitting at the table in her place. Sweet times. <3
One of my favorites is the year the mashed potatoes looked (and tasted) like wall paper paste AND the bag of giblets were left inside the bird! We talk about that one every year with tears of laughter running down our faces!
I love all thanksgivings! Can’t pick out just one. Just love family being together!
What a great way to share all that we have to be greatful for in God. Fall is such a beautiful season of beauty and Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing theses great decorating fall idea’s.
I love fall also!
The most memorable…my mom had gone through Breast Cancer double mastectomy that year and God had the cancer stay away from anywhere else. Since my dad had divorced her years before, gone through this cancer event, stayed the most constant prayer warrior and Godly example I have I was so THANKFUL she would be around to meet any future children I may be blessed with. We have 4 and with my sister & brother she has a total of 14 grandchildren. We are SO BLESSED!
Laus Deo :0>
The thanksgiving that my mother-in-law made dressing and put so much sage in it that it was really green and awful but she tried…..she was in the beginning stages of dementia and somedays did not have it all together!! Everyone put some on our plate but needless say it was left on the plate:).
I have many wonderdful Thanksgiving memories but one of my favorites is the year my mom amd grandma and I went to New Hampshire to visit my aunt. My grandpa had just passed away from lung cancer and that trip we took was so good for our souls!
One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving was last year when we decided to make a thankful paper chain. Everyone wrote things they were thankful for on strips of fall colored papers and my 6 year old and I stapled them together. I kept papers on our kitchen table so we could fill them out whenever we thought of something. It was so fun to see the chain grow and to read what others were thankful for. It reminded us to keep an attitude of Thanksgiving all season and showed all who entered our home (and dared to ask about our unusual decoration draped all over our windows and walls!) that we are thankful to The Lord for our many blessings.
Love this!!!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is every year making a point to gather our family together before eating and praying together. Each person from the youngest to the oldest tells two things that they are thankful for and then we say a prayer where each person thanks God for those things. It is interesting to see what the kiddos will say. Sweet memories!!
Thanksgiving is my husbands favorite holiday. One of my best memories was the Thanksgiving day I brought my newborn daughter home from the hospital.
Thanks for the lovely giveaway. I would <3 to decorate with any of those lovely items you shared.
Most treasured Thanksgiving memory was in 1996. It was the first extended family gathering since the death of my beloved father. I asked to say grace, and our sad tears turned to joy as I thanked God for the fact that I was expecting a baby! I was so enveloped with love and hugs I never even got to the “amen”!
I have so much to be thankful for it would be to hard to name just one I guest the number one thing is my family. I have four girls, 2 granddaughters and a son in law that I am so proud of. I am so proud that my married daughter hast grandchildren in church and working for The Lord. So many children now are not being raised up knowing The Lord. So I feel so blessed. Love your fall ideas. Fall is my favorite time of year too.
My favorite Thanksgivings are the past few years. It is just the 10 of us and we all meet at Mom’s with our dishes of goodies to share. After lunch is done and the table is cleaned off we play our favorite card game Chicken Foot! These are the best times!
Love, love, love the fall decor:) Last October our family was gifted our son, Zavier, from Ethiopia. Thanksgiving took on a new dimension for the Medina family as we became 5 thankful hearts all grafting together. As we gathered with family, the extension of love, acceptance, and belonging was overwhelming in a most beautiful way. So much THANKS to be given!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is this….when I was growing up we always went to my one Aunt’s house. ALWAYS. One year, for whatever reason, my Mom’s other sister held the Thanksgiving celebration at her house. This particular Aunt of mine did not have very much money and did not live in a very nice house. But it didn’t matter. She was so happy to have all of her family at her home! I can still see the smile on her face and hear her laugh. It makes me happy to think of that smile and laughter but a bit sad also because she passed away this year. I will give Thanks for her no longer being in pain though and living in eternity with our Savior! Thanks Lysa!
Dear Lysa,
Each year, my family goes to our tree farm (humble as it is) and we spend Thanksgiving week there with hunting, fellowship with other family and friends and of course food. We always have adventure and I use much of the quiet time to pray which usually is in the morning with all are in the hunting stands. We just look forward to that week so much. I do not even shop the after Thanksgiving sales. We just hang out at the farm. In the midst of this world, we have our own little haven. God is so good and I am so thankful that He is my God. Love you Lysa!!!
I have been thinking alot about Thanksgiving memories recently. My grandmother passes away last month, and I have been remembering childhood memories of Thanksgiving at her home. With all the cousins gathered together.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was 2009, when our families got together, and expressed their thanks. The love and authenticity was in the air.
Holding hands around my grandparents room as we thanked God for his blessings. We would take turns telling each other something we were thankful for. Now that they are in Heaven, we do this at my moms house! So blessed!!!
I remember the first Thanksgiving shortly after my second son was born. My oldest son, 3 at the time was playing at my feet and I was holding my sweet new baby and making pumpkin pies for the next day. It is those moments that make you realize how truly blessed you are.
Favorite Thanksgiving memory for me is when I was a little girl and so many family members were wrapped around my Grandma’s table we needed to bring benches from the outside, inside for seating. I can still see the smiles on the faces of cousins, aunts & uncles. Life stopped for all of us that one Thanksgiving Day to make a beautiful memory of Love : ) And this memory has lasted more than 40 years!
Almost 9 years ago I was determined to host Thanksgiving dinner at my home. My sister insisted that she would host both our mom and mother in law, so I should come there(we work together on our bi-centennial family farm orchard as the sixth generation, no brothers). My in-laws were going out of town and other relatives’ homes. I loved hosting family get-togethers and my goal was for my husband’s sisters(4) to get together and get along at my home. Anyway, our home was next to farm with cattle my father in law cared for part-time as his balance with running a small aluminum awning company near Detroit. As it turned out, I made our dinner with all the Fixins, decorations and desserts. It was my husband, you g step-son and father in law, Getald at the table that afternoon. It was quiet, peaceful and delightful time for all of us. Little did I know at the time, in four days, Gerald would have a stroke and pass away. It makes Thanksgiving an even more special time for me as I fondly recall hose meals shared with family members who are no longer with us but have us a foundation of life lessons to live by. As I drive tractors around our farm for Upick apples I feel connected to my am estrous and the love and work on this sane ground.
There have been many treasured memories over the years, but I think I would have to say last year was really special for me. Having left my son on a college campus (10 hrs. away from home) for the first time last fall, I was so looking forward to his Thanksgiving break. I can honestly say when he walked in the door it was like a Hallmark moment! We spent the week together as a family doing what families do. Seeing my son sitting across the Thanksgiving table from me and knowing that God was directing his path (even though it was so far from home) was a treasure for this mama’s heart.
Now, those fall decorations . . . LOVE it all but especially that wreath! I so would love to have that hanging somewhere in my house! Thanks for sharing about your fall finds, Lysa!
My most memorable Thanksgiving was about 3 years ago. It was the last Thanksgiving I would spend with my dad, that he was actually well enough to walk and talk and at the same time, my sister had a baby girl, so we all ended up at the hospital with her. At the time, it seemed like a crazy holiday, but looking back, I see so many blessings in that time and I will always treasure the memory.
After 7 years, of marriage 4 of those spent trying to start a family, after giving up hope God gave me two verse. James 1:2. My hope and joy are not made complete by the things I think I need but rather by Him. I just have to be willing to look and listen even when I’m angry or just don’t want to. The second was Jeremiah 29:11-13. My plans arenot His plans. He showed me how I may want something with all my heart but what He wants for me is so much better. I wish I could say I got pregnant and had a baby right away. God had a different plan. While I did get pregnant right away I lost the baby.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory always comes from my Aunts house. One year there was 30+ people there and it happened to snow. She lives on a side of a mountain so we went sledding. We had an inter tube in which 3 people could go on. As each set of people would go a ramp was created from the snow. Needless to say, when it came to my turn with some cousins, we hit the ‘ramp’ and ended up 3-4 feet up in the air and about 10 feet further down the hill. Everyone was launched off the tube! It was awesome!!! Love my time on the farm with my loving family!
Thanksgiving has always been my most favorite holiday. As a child, we would travel to my grandmothers in Oklahoma. Most of my relatives would meet us there. For the life of me, I don’t remember where we all slept in that little 2 bedroom house, but we did!
What I loved about it, (besides all the great food – which we left out on the table the entire time) was going out to the pecan groves and picking up pecans. My dad would climb up in the trees with his pole climbing gear and shake those trees until it was raining pecans on those of us below. We would fill bag after bag. I know it was a lot of work, but I only remember as being so much fun.
When we had every last pecan picked up, we woud take them to the store and they would crack them all on their machine. The store kept 1/2 and we all split up the rest.
Those were the good ole days! No TV or electronics – just lots of great family time.
The Thanksgiving memory I hold most dear is the year we came home and surprised my parents. We were living 8 hours away at the time. As we approached my parents house I called my Mom, as I would any day, and began discussing the days events. During our conversation I asked her a question about her neighbors house and how it was decorated. I told her being away, I wanted to “see” the neighborhood, and asked her to look and describe all the great decorations I knew she would have out. As my Mom opened her front door, my family was walking up the driveway. The look on her face was the most precious thing I have seen.
After loosing three more precious babies and the help of modern medicine I gave birth to a little boy. Bed rest was required and he was one month early. He was healthy and beauriful. Four months later we lost another baby. Our son was born on Nov 8th. Thanksiging has meant so much more to us since then. After another lose God brought our baby girl one month early and healthy. He has used my trials for His good. Don’t loose hope however your situation turns out He is there! And he knows how your story ends, He has written it. Jeremiah 29:11-13. Blessings
My favorite memory of Thanksgiving is the “tablecloths” My mother would buy old plain white cotton sheets at rummage/garage sales. As final thanksgiving preparations would be going on in the kitchen, my sisters and I (and whatever cousins were around that holiday) would use sharpie markers to “decorate” the tablecloth with images and words of things we were blessed with and thankful for. She still has all those tablecloths! As we are now grown, she brings some out to re-use as thanksgiving “banners”….. Now there are grandchildren and the tradition continues. The kids are occupied with the tablecloth and gathering fall leaves and branches for the centerpieces. The table always looks fantastic and so filled with love. You can almost hear the voices of the children thanking God as you view these tablecloths. The artwork, spelling and phrasing is priceless and reminds us all that we are children of God – totally dependent on our loving Father
I have two memorable Thanksgiving memories. The first is at my Granny’s house. I remember every holiday as many of my mother’s 13 brothers and sisters and their families would come to my Granny’s house. It was not a large house by no means. Card tables and chairs, long tables and folding chairs were all squeezed in so everyone had a seat at a table in her home. Everyone was welcomed, blood relative or not. No one was to be turned away. You could walk on her porch and feel the love no matter who you were. The next most memorable Thanksgiving would be the first time my husband and I were not able to make it to my Granny’s house. We had plans to be there, but an ice storm moved in overnight and we were stuck at home over an hour away. This was the first year, other than when we lived in Germany as a child, that I had not been to my Granny’s house. However, it was the beginning of new traditions for MY family. My husband and I made the most of it. We were just starting out and money was tight, so our feast was modest that year, macaroni and cheese with hot dogs, but we were extremely thankful. God used my Granny to show and teach anyone who crossed her path His love. Thank you Lord for my Granny, I miss her!!
There is not one particular Thanksgiving that stands out, but I love Thanksgiving. Being surrounded by your family, not rushing to get errands done. You truely get to spend the day with your family and cherish each other over food.
One of my best memories was when I was with my daughter and son-in-law and his family for Thanksgiving. I was newly divorced and my daughter said I was being asked to come to dinner with her husbands family, They have a huge family and welcomed me with open arms. It was crazy, fun, sometimes loud and unorganized – but the love that was there was awesome! It was so nice to know that I was welcome and loved.
My favorite memory of Thanksgiving is when we opened our home to a large group of my husband’s military peers who were away from their families. We have since then tried to different ways to help those from his base celebrate. One year we celebrated our family’s thanksgiving with the students in their base dining hall.
Thanks for sharing little touches of fall. This is my absolute favorite time of the year and I loved how scripture was incorported into it! And Im always trying “new” things at the table to get the kids talking about good stuff.
Being Canadian, we celebrate earlier than our neighbours! However, this Thanksgiving was marked by our oldest son, away at university, coming home a different young man! We had a rough summer and that boy needed to leave and spread his wings….what a difference 6 weeks has made! It was great to spend time with him, play games and chat. Very thankful for the way God is working in our family’s lives! Blessings to y’all in the South this coming Thanksgiving!
As a child, I don’t remember ever celebrating Thanksgiving in the traditional sense. But I do remember gathering with my grandparents and working to prepare for winter. Most years, I’m pretty sure that we were cutting trees for firewood. We all worked together and we all ate together and I have fantastic memories of Thanksgiving pasts. My most valuable memory is more of a feeling of belonging. The love we shared and the joy we shared in just being together is something I value more than a formal dinner.
The first year that I remember not being able to be around any extended family and our normal traditions for Thanksgiving was very hard. My husband and I were church-planting in New Orleans, we had a baby girl, and zero money to travel the 16 hours home for any holidays that year. We determined to make the best of it and saved for weeks to buy a turkey and all the trimmings. We met a young couple who lived nearby and did not have any family close, so we invited them to share Thanksgiving with us. They agreed and we had a wonderful time together eating traditional food and watching football. That kicked off a friendship that would lead to deeper conversations until one day they both came to know Jesus as their Savior! So glad God didn’t let us be with our family that year…there are more members of HIS family because of it!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was as a child before my parent’s divorced. We had a “family” dinner with at least 5 families and we played Bingo afterwords. Each family brought a side or dessert. Such a bittersweet memory since my parents no longer even see each other let alone speak to each other.
The last Thanksgiving before my husband’s grandfather passed away is our most treasured. “Papadaddy” and our son Sam were 100 yrs. apart!!! It was priceless to watch them eat cookies together and even play one of Sam’s electronic preschool games together. Sweet memories!
The memory that is coming to mind isn’t of one but of a few that we were able to have at my now in-laws before my mom-in-law passed away. She was a great example to me on how to celebrate with family. We would gather at her house and all help in preparing and then gather around the table with graditude. She put so much work and love into it even though she was very ill. It was an example of selflessness.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is having my estranged son and daughter-in-law come to share a meal at our house with the rest of the family. We see them only several times a year and they live 20 minutes from us. Just sent my invite for this year by text this morning! Praying for healing in their hearts and that they come to know Jesus!
Keep praying! I had this situation for 5 years with my son and Daughter in-law.
We are good now. But sometimes we still have to work at it. I see them growing with suggestions of God’s word and my husband and I have learned ways to be more of what is needed.
I have two favorite Thanksgiving memories…spending it one year in California with my girlfriends and my family’s tradition of spending Thanksgiving together.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was having our family all come together under one roof for the first time in many years. And just before dinner we all gathered at the table for prayer and each person shared what they were most thankful for. It was a time of great joy and a lot of tears. It was a very special time in our family and lots of hard feelings and disagreements that kept us apart were dissolved this day.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is when my daughters were 6 and 3 years old. The 6 yr old drew a gigantic turkey on butcher paper and cut out about 100 feathers of red, orange or yellow construction paper. We brought it to the family gathering and each person picked 5 feathers to write something they were thankful for. They were imprinted with words from great grandma at 86 who said she was “thankful for food, thankful for her good health, thankful for a roof over her head” to my 3 year old who gave “thanks for making my asthma better at the hospital” after her recent hospital stay. It was such a beautiful display of the Lord’s bounty and goodness and very cool to see the different writings and what each one was thankful for.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of its family/friend focus. There are no gifts and no expectations. It’s just about celebrating relationships.
Two years ago, I was teaching seven English composition classes at six different schools. It was ridiculous to take on this schedule, and I attribute this to my lack of faith that God would come through with classes in the spring. To help me out, my husband made plans for us to celebrate Thanksgiving at his sister’s house a few hours away. I was mad.
How could you do that without asking me, I demanded. You know I love cooking and setting the table and having a house full of people.
He apologized and offered to back out, but I didn’t to look make him look bad with his family, and so I grudgingly gave in.
We had a lovely day. Because of my crazy schedule, I was relieved not to have to clean, shop, or cook. I enjoyed the drive. I enjoyed the laughter with my husband’s mom, his sisters, our adult children. My daughter announced her engagement, and Nana squealed with excitement. I cried and prayed with one of his sisters, whose son was spending the night in jail because of a DUI. It was a great day, filled with great memories.
Nana was 83 years old at the time, full of energy and health. We didn’t know that six months later she would start slowing down or that eight months later she would be gone.
I am grateful for this day.
Lysa, these are beautiful! Growing up, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. My dad’s side of the family always came to our house. My uncle brought hunting buddies and stayed for a week. We lived in Maine. The kids would give up their bedrooms and all sleep in the attic. It was always so much fun and we loved having “new friends” (my uncle’s hunting buddies) at our Thanksgiving table. It was an honor to share this holiday with family, old and new.
I love the napkin ties and I can think of more uses than just tying napkins 🙂 Brilliant!
My most memorable thanksgiving story takes place 13 years ago. My father was dying of cancer and in the hospital. We did not want to leave his bedside and it was thanksgiving weekend. We always loved this occasion and had huge family gatherings with turkey etc..As we took a break from his bedside and sat in a family room down the hall we all looked at each other knowing the end was near but also wanting to be thankful for the man God had given us as husband, father, grandpa, Uncle, brother and friend. Suffice to say we were truly blessed with so much support and my Dad was a very loved person. As we sat in this room quietly thinking and thanking the Lord for his many blessings, the door opened and in walked my sister in law Bonnie and her Mom who brought us a full turkey dinner. We were stunned as we never thought that we would be saying goodbye to our Dad and partaking in a great meal as we had been doing for so many years while sitting in a hospital. Was the table all set and fancy, no, was it a happy occasion, no but God wrapped his arms around us that day by showing us HIs love and compassion through this act of kindness, a thanksgiving meal I shall never ever forget. Later that night, I was alone with my father and laid my head on his chest and began to weep as he was in and out of a conscious state. He awoke and asked me why I was crying and I looked at him in disbelief as I said “Daddy please don’t leave me I don’t know what to do”. He looked at me and in a very weak voice said “honey just remember what we had and what I taught you and all will be well”. I can still hear him telling me that as I still dearly miss him but what a wonderful memory. Thanks for asking us to do this this is the first time I have written this memory down. Bertha
I have so many good thanksgiving memories, but one that sticks out is when I was 8 months pregnant with our 3rd baby. We weren’t able to travel to family since I was so close to havin the baby, and our families were planning to visit when baby came. It was just my husband, me, and our 2 little ones, who had no idea their mommy had never cooked a turkey before. It was such a sweet time, and one I’ll treasure.
In October 2003 my dad had a massive heart attack that required him to be resuscitated at least 4 times. I had just found out and shared the news with him a few days before that he was going to be a Grandpa. I had a very special bond with one of my grandpas that I hoped my own child would have with my dad. It was one of the hardest times in my life knowing he may not live to meet his first grandchild. We spent that thanksgiving in the CCU waiting room at the hospital surrounded by family. It was an amazing bonding experience that in spite of the trying circumstances was filled with joy and laughter. This year marked 10 years since that day and I am so thankful that God wasn’t finished with my daddy yet! He is alive, doing well and an amazing Grandpa to his 5 and one on the way grandchildren! I am so thankful every thanksgiving for the miracle God performed in saving my dad, all the doctors, nurses and staff know that the only reason he’s alive is by the hand of God.
Oops…favorite memory… it would be the thanksgiving when I was 6 months pregnant with child#4 and sitting at the table after dinner going through a baby naming book and my husband and I finally stumbled upon a bit name to agree on. Jameson is now 9 🙂
Most memorable Thanksgiving memory is going around the table telling what you are thankful for-my son was thankful for salvation at a very young age. Precious!
God supplies all our needs Nothing more is needed
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is when we have our table full of people from all different walks of life and different places. We are a military family and we always try to invite other military folks (families and singles) to join us and share in the day!
God is awesome supplying all our meeds
Beautiful! I have so many memories of Thanksgiving. Growing up in a large family, we always had lots of cousins, aunts and uncles around at Thanksgiving. Some of those have gone on home to Heaven and I treasure those days.
Many years ago we began inviting someone who had no where to go to our home for Thanksgiving.
My husband called them our Indians. It has been at least 20 years and our kids always ask .
“Who’s our Indian this year?”
My entire family gets together for thanksgiving. It’s just 17 people on my mom’s side, but everyone is so precious to me. Last year, I looked Around the table at my 93 year old grandparents, still happily married after 68 years, and then to my newborn daughter and experienced a sweet, sweet joy.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is when we all take a turn saying one thing we are thankful for that particular season. It’s a time to get my family talking about God’s goodness! I also love our church Thanksgiving dinners where we name things we are thankful for!
For the past 4 years we have had a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Every Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, we invite over neighbors, church friends, friends, and homeless people to our home and have a huge Thanksgiving meal with those we love and admire the most. Then on Thanksgiving day we put up all of our Christmas decorations, play games, and eat leftovers. It is a wonderfully loud and quiet tradition that we look forward to.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was over 21 years ago, when during grace, as family members were encouraged to share things we were most thankful for, my husband and I shared that we were expecting our first child. It then became a family tradition, and we had a few more announcements of new family members on the way during Thanksgiving grace through the years.
Having the whole family around the table and then my dad and 2 brothers always fell asleep watching football~~~love that memory~~~~
I remember lots of treasured Thanksgiving memories from when I was a kid. We always went to my dad’s mom’s house where the turkey was always dry and the cranberry sauce always came from a can but the laughter and time with family was always great. One year, my mom decided that she and I were going to help out by delivering plates to needy families as part of a joint effort by several churches in the area. We had fun getting up early and laughing on the way to the church and while we were loading the Styrofoam plates in the trunk of her car. And it was fun trying to decide which house to go to first and how best to get there (long before GPS!). But after the first house, the mood in the car was a bit different. We were silent as we drove away. Seeing people come to the door who clearly needed more than just one meal and seeing the circumstances they lived in made us both truly thankful. Probably for the first time in my life, I realized how very blessed I was. We weren’t rich by any means but we had food on the table and a roof overhead. Gathered around the dry turkey and the canned cranberry sauce later that day, I thanked God whole-heartedly for all His many blessings! Now with our kids, we’re trying to instill that same sense of gratefulness and gratitude in the everyday living. Trying to make Thanksgiving an opportunity to talk about serious matters instead of just focusing on the food and football. Thanks for reminding me of some great memories!
The anticipation of Thanksgiving each year is special for me. It is my favorite holiday. I enjoy the planning of the food, purchasing the turkey, etc. Culminating in a time spent together, enjoying the good food and each other. We are thankful to God for each Thanksgiving we are together.
Not long after I had remarried, to show our thanks fullness for our family and all God had done in our lives even through hurtful break ups, we invited all our children and our ex-spouses and their spouses to have a meal together with no hard feelings. Yes, it was awkward but worth the effort!
When I was a child we all gathered at my Grandmothers for Thanksgiving…cousins came from out of town! The men would get up early to deer hunt, the women cooked and prepared for an awesome meal, and us kiddos played! Memories I’ll cherish forever!
My favorite Thanksgiving was the first that we hosted in our home: we made a lot of mistakes & everything wasn’t “perfect” but my husband & I really worked together as a team & we had a great day together with friends & family.
my favorite thanksgiving was the year i got to carve the turkey! what a special privilege. also sitting around the table telling what we are thankful for every year is my favorite!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was just last year when my 7 year old daughter went around the table asking everyone what they were thankful for. She wrote them all down for us (in her 7 yo penmanship) to present at the end of the meal. As she was reading the list, she pauses. “Does anyone remember being thankful for grass?” (Grace). We all laughed (including her). I still have the list on my fridge to remind me of God’s Grass:)
It was the Thanksgiving of 2008. My daughter was born on 11/25, and Thanksgiving morning was the first time that I was able to have Mommy and daughter time. I was able to get up, go get her from the nursery, and dress her by myself. I’ll always cherish the memory of holding my baby close to me thanking God for the most precious gift ever.
Holding my baby close also brought home the huge sacrifice that God made for me through allowing His son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for ME. The depth of God’s love is more clear to me now, and I’m so thankful for that!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was always going to my grandmothers house and being surrounded by tons of family in a house full of love. I remember one Thanksgiving my cousing had fixed his plates(yes plates). He made 3 because he didn’t want to go. Of course, this gave us all ammunition for teasing him lovingly about his appetite. I miss those days with her!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was the Thanksgiving of 2004 – our first year with our new son! We had tried so hard to get pregnant, I had started giving up hope of ever having one. Now, God has blessed us with 3 here on earth with us and a few up in Heaven with Him! We are truly blessed!!
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 1982, my husband asked me to marry him… 30+ years later, he’s still the love of my life!
My favorite Thanksgiving was my grandmothers last one with us. I loved how our family put aside any problems or frustrations and truly just enjoyed on another. I also loved watching her just sit back and enjoy and take everything in. It has been 7 years since she went home to be with Jesus, but I will never forget that Thanksgiving where it was truly a time of family!
My son, C.J., plays college basketball at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. where we reside. His team is comprised of young men from all over the country who are unable to be with their families at Thanksgiving. My most treasured memory was two years ago when we had the opportunity to host C.J.’s teammates for Thanksgiving dinner. It presented us with the great opportunity to share our faith, our blessings and our thankfulness not only for our immediate family but also for each of these young men and their families. They were also most thankful for the endless Thanksgiving meal we prepared!
My most treasured memory is a bit odd. I have a rather large extended family, so Christmas get togethers are held in large meeting places – community centers, church fellowship hall, school gyms or cafeterias, etc. However, thanksgiving is different. Just a handful of family has always come to my parents house. This quickly became my favorite holiday. There was no jumble or too many people, and even though there weren’t any presents, it was still SO much better. I was blessed because even after I grew up, got married, and had a child, I was still able to return home and enjoy Thanksgiving with my family. Until, the year I didn’t…
My favorite memory is the year I didn’t get to go home, or I should say the first year. My husband, a military man, had just taken a job requiring us to move to New England. I was very excited. The only problem was, we were moving ON Thanksgiving! There would be no way to visit my family and we’d be living in a hotel. How can you celebrate a holiday marked by food and family in a hotel without your family! I still remember so clearly driving around this gorgeous New England town on a quintessential fall day, but I didn’t see the beauty right then. I was literally yelling inside the car at all the passerby, “Why are you out here, walking your dog, riding your bike, etc? Don’t you know you’re supposed to be with your family? C’mon! You’re able to visit your family, why aren’t you there now?” As crazy as I sound now, looking back, I truly cherish this memory. It opened my eyes to SO much. I realized that Thanksgiving isn’t really about food and family, it’s about giving Thanks (duh, right?). That day I wasn’t able to give thanks for my family, even though I wasn’t with them. I should’ve been thankful I have a family, my husband isn’t so lucky. I should have been thankful to see the beauty all around me, but I wasn’t. I learned that year, though, and I’m glad to say God really opened my eyes.
As a side note, for the 3 years we were in that beautiful New England town, we made it a ministry to spend Thanksgiving with all the service members who couldn’t go home for the holiday. Yes, I missed my family, but I was so blessed to share it with these others who couldn’t make it home either. For most, it was their first time, too. We went to the ‘galley’ or ‘mess hall’ and ate glorified cafeteria food each year, but it was such a great time and I was truly thankful. Even though, I’m now able to visit my family most years, I still miss those blessed times in the galley with those strangers that needed a smiling face and a kind word when they were incredibly stressed and so far from home.
My favorite Thanksgiving will always be Thanksgiving of 2009. Our family tradition was to gather at my father’s house every year, we held hands in a circle around the kitchen and prayed and each person tells what they are thankful for. 2009 was my last Thanksgiving with my Daddy. He was very sick with cancer and passed away on December 9, 2009. I also suffered a miscarriage 2 weeks after his death. I know these seem like sad times. But, they bring me joy today, because I know one day I will see them again. I can picture daddy holding his grandbaby walking the streets of gold with Jesus by their side! Oh, my heart longs to be there with them some day. But, for now I am thankful for my 2 newest blessings since that time. I have a wonderful husband and 3 precious children. My oldest daughter started kindergarten this year! And we have a 2 year old daughter and a 5 month old son. 🙂 God truly is SO good.
My favorite thanksgiving memory was 5 years ago when my sister and her husband flew home from India with the newest addition to our family! He was 3 year old little boy named Gabe and our family has never been the same since!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was last year in 2012. Every year I make the mashed potatoes and even though I try to start earlier and earlier every year when I start making the potatoes I always seem to be cutting it close to dinner time. Then I get stressed out. Last year, the stress got to me and I just started crying in the kitchen, becoming completely “unglued.” My sister came over and asked me what was wrong and I told her while talking through my tears. She and my mom jumped right in, asking me what I needed help with. It might seem weird that this stressful moment is one of my favorite memories, but I love it because it reminds me of how my family is always there for me and loves me.
I LOVE fall! (And the Christmas season too!) Decorating is so fun this time of year. For the last two years, we have made what we call a Thankful Tree that I tape to our back door. I cut out a tree trunk and also different color leaves out of construction paper, and each member of our family (there are 4 of us) writes things that we are thankful for on each leaf. Then I stick the leaves up on the tree trunk and viola! We have our yearly thankful tree. It’s cute, and fall-ish, and it’s a good way to teach my young kiddos to be grateful for things. :))))
My most memorable Thanksgiving was very recent and not because my memory is bad. lol This will be our third Thanksgiving that we have lived in NC. But before we moved here from IL we always hosted dinner for our 4 children and their spouses, 3 grandchildren and our parents. We had the same small dining room table that we had started with 29 years ago when we were first married. Our family had outgrown it and could no longer all sit together around it. That year we were able to have the Amish make us a beautiful table that is 10 feet long and can be extended up to 14 ft. Something that our family will grow with. Our last Thanksgiving that we lived in IL our whole family was able to sit around the table together including my dad who has since passed away. It was the most memorable and precious Thanksgiving ever. A day I will always be thankful for!
I have many things to be thankful for at this time of year, but today I am thankful for my husband of almost 50 years whom I married on Thanksgiving Day, the 28th of November, 1963. We have spent 35 of those years together in ministry. God has given us wonderful memories of these years.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is a recent one. My husband and I hosted our first Thanksgiving in our new home–two weeks after we had moved in! Boxes everywhere, nothing was put in place but the essentials. We hosted both families, his and mine that day: mine at noon, his at 5 pm. A full day but wonderful memories!!!!
Newly married, I had just made the ULTIMATE sacrifice of giving my husband “Thanksgiving” in exchange for Christmas Eve at my parents home. I was five months pregnant and really missing the way my family celebrated holidays. My parents called before they sat down to eat to pray with me and ask God to bless my new family as much as He had blessed my forever family. Powerful message to a new bride!
my favorite memory is always of me and my sister and nieces the night before thanksgiving baking and decorating all the desserts! we had so much fun just being together and cutting up! also, i love the memories of my older sister and I preparing the turkey for the overnight roasting once everyone else is asleep. it is such sweet times to be able to be together just the two of us and share how thankful we are for our families and for having each other. we are always so excited for what we are preparing for our families to enjoy!
The first time my husband made a turkey. We couldn’t see our families for the holidays, and that beautiful turkey reminded me that I was already with family.
My most treasured memory was when I reached the age of 15 and my grandmother told me I could sit at the Adult table. It made me feel special and at the same time very grown up, away from my other siblings and cousins who were still too young to graduate from the kids’ table to the “grown up” table.
Childhood memories of my mom cooking and baking for Thanksgiving dinner make me reflect on how thankful I am that she showed us her love and gratitude in this way. She is with Jesus now, but I am so thankful for those memories.
It is hard to pick one favorite Thanksgiving holiday because I love all of them from my childhood years to early married years to having children of my own, raising them, and having them come home from collage for the holiday…but one in particular was the last one I shared with my mom…we always had a feast and in 1996, she was dying of cancer…a friend of mine who had lost her mother a couple of years before told me to enjoy every holiday because it could be the last one…of course, I had no way of knowing this holiday would be our last. My mom had been in the hospital and I just wanted her home for Thanksgiving. She got to come home on Tuesday and our whole family was together for the day. We lost our precious angel mom on Dec. 10 so we were all glad we had that Thanksgiving with her!!
My most memorable Thanksgiving was when my son gave his heart to the Lord and asked to be baptized. I sometimes sing at church and so one Thanksgiving day my family asked me to sing one of my songs as we gathered around the living room. That night is when my son (11 years old at the time) told me he was ready to accept the Lord as his Savior. I asked him what helped him make his decision and he said, “it was when you were singing about God”.
My most treasured Thanksgiving was last year when my whole family was able to be together for the first time since our Mom passed away 9 years ago. During our dinner my Brother-in-law announced that he would be starting to attend church. He had never stepped foot in a church for services. There wasn’t a dry eye at the table! That was something to be truly thankful for!
My husband and I don’t get a chance to spend many holidays alone – not that I’d want to not be home, especially at Christmas, but we live with my parents. 😀 So, my most treasured Thanksgiving memory is from our very first Thanksgiving together.
We were living in a little town on the Oregon coast, and owned our own store. My husband went down to the store in the morning, to start getting it ready for the Christmas shoppers the next day. I stayed home and cooked our meal – instead of a turkey, I roasted a chicken. Otherwise, we didn’t have a lot, so we made it special by using our best dishes and table setting.
He came home in the early afternoon, and we spent the rest of the day together, counting our blessings, eating our little chicken, and putting up our small Christmas tree.
Thank you for the question. 🙂 I’d forgotten how special that day was.
I love that. What precious memories.
I remember the first Thanksgiving at my parents house after my only child was born. He was 2 months old and a big baby boy. My parents were so grateful to have their first grandchild at the table. My dad is no longer with us but he was proud of my son until the day he died at the early age of 52, What I would not give to have us all around the table again in my mom’s small kitchen! She is in a nursing home now and a stranger lives in her little yellow house. I need to drive by the house to remember and to pray that the family who lives there makes some good memories like mine.
I have some old hymnals that I have used in the past to make Christmas ornaments. I would love to make a wreath. What was used to cut the shape of the paper? LOVE these ideas!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is sitting around my grandmother’s table, one of the last Thankgivings that she was alive. She shared stories, we sang together as a family, we served her. It was a precious time!
I think one of my favorite thanksgivings was when all of my sister’s were together under the same roof, it’s only happened once and I am 46, divorce is an ugly thing, I am thankful for my husband and 3 children and every thanksgiving we have together, but now that they are older and one lives in another state, that will be changing, makes me think about that Carol king song “So far away, doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore”, I’m so thankful God never changes and never leaves us, now that I’ve written all that, I think I’m most thankful that God shows up to every thanksgiving :0) I pray we will all make family a priority
One of my favorite Thanksgiving times was a few years ago. My husband comes from a family of 6 boys (and two girls). We all got together at his folks house and these boys were absolutely hilarious telling stories. We laughed so hard. What a great time. Both parents are in heaven now and the boys can’t seem to get along anymore. So sad and too bad.
Thanksgiving at my aunt Esther’s house had two memories unforgettable during my growing up years. A full dish of cashews that sat on her mahogany end table, and the can of shakable colored sparkles I could toss into the wood burning fireplace.
Going to my Grandmother’s tiny house that we would fill with family. This house that was already filled with the smells of her hard labor of preparations with so much wonderful food. She would work for days to prepare all that would be gone so quick, what a servants heart. I loved her cooking and miss it very much, since she is no longer with us. I loved my Nanny so very much.
My memories of a Mississippi Thanksgiving is going to my little mamaw’s house which was right next door. Having cousins to play with, eating a delicious meal prepared by all and then everyone being so full and sleepy we could only just sit around and talk. I love those memories!!!!!!
My favorite childhood memories are of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those were the times when my father was able to be home with the family from working. They were special moments together as a family.
This may sound silly but one of my favorite Thankgiving memories involves all the prep that happened in the days before. We always had a house full on Thanksgiving and I loved being able to polish the silverware for my mama, help her prepare her yeast rolls, baking pies-My mom worked full time so this time spent with her and getting things ready for her were very special. My mama is 82 and I feel so blessed to have her in my life still. Many years after I married and had my own home my mama gave me that silverware I polished every special occasion and I us it everyday because for me, one who survived a near fatal motorcycle wreck and then cancer, everyday is a special occasion 🙂 Thank you , Lysa, for sharing these wonderful, simple ways to create a feeling of gratitude not only on Thanksgiving but everyday!
I have so many wonderful memories of Thanksgiving…but my most treasured Thanksgiving was in 2011. It was my first Thanksgiving with my husband and my last one (although I did not realize it at the time) with my dad. I was so thankful that my husband and our family ( I married a fellow with several adopted sons and many, many unofficial sons from all over the world!!) were able to spend time with my mom and dad that weekend. Dad wasn’t feeling well at that time but just being with him was enough!! The Monday after Thanksgiving 2011 my dad was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer and passed away a month later on the 29th of December. I still miss him terribly but am so grateful he was able to walk me down the aisle that year, celebrate 50 years of marriage with my mom in September, make several trips to New York to see where my new home was, and spend one more holiday season with us!
lysa, i am SO blessed when i read your daily posts. thanksgiving this year for me is truly one of God’s faithfulness to me. I am in the second year of divorce procedings, ending a marriage of 42 years. Yet, God is ever faithful. I can never be thankful enough for His goodness and mercy. Blessed be His name. .
I don’t have many pleasant memories from growing up, but one thing I do cherish is the memory of fall visitors. See, we lived on a ranch in Texas really far out in the country. We rarely had visitors and there was a lot of hard work to do. However, when deer hunting season came around, we always had company. My dad’s friends and distant relatives on both sides would come stay with us and hunt on our property. I loved meeting new people and entertaining. I didn’t understand then, but those are two of my gifts so God was giving me a small does of pleasure in serving in my zone, even as a youngster. I always looked forward to fall and hearing we were having company. It makes me smile to remember that sweet season even today.
What a great way to prompt people to discuss thankfulness at the dinner table. I love it! Thanks for sharing.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory occurred several years ago when we moved to Atlanta after having lived in the same town with the same friends for 50 years. Previously Thanksgiving had always been with family. We had no family in Atlanta but we did have childhood friends who were there visiting their daughter and we invited them to share Thanksgiving with us. Our church in Atlanta had sponsored 3 Russian women who were living with one of the widows of our church who happened to be away for the weekend so we invited them. We had met a restaurant owner from Pakistan, a recent widow, and invited her along with her two sons. A man from Jamaica had worked on our car and we invited him. They all came! The friends from home were to pick up the Russian women who spoke no English. The husband went by to get them and they wouldn’t come with him because they didn’t know him. Finally I got on the phone with them and recognizing my voice, they came. It was the most wonderful, treasured Thanksgiving I have ever spent. All were so happy to be there and we were so happy to share whatever we had with them. I don’t remember the food and how we got it all together but I do remember the joy and the love that filled that room. Thanks for asking, I love remembering and seeing us all together in my memory.
One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories is my father-in-laws last one, as he was sick with leukemia, at our house. Most of the family was there and we shared many memories and laughs.
Last year our lives blew up. My husband was physcially, emotionally and spiritually unable to continue in ministry, Our daughter was ill with a serious life threatening diagnosis. My sister-in-law gathered us around her table and with quiet love gave us solace. We remembered all we still had to be thankful!
My most memorable Thanksgiving memory was a few years ago. It was the first year my Grandma wasn’t there~due to her dying in April. What it did was bring back a flood of memeories from all the Thanksgivings prior. The ones as a kid when my all of us cousins would play “Spit” or”Spoons”~or a mixture when the game got intense. Sitting in Grandmas’s trailer, around her little table, eating, coloring, playing Old Maid, or tormenting the adults while they played cards. It may seem simple~but my Grandma basically raised 4 kids on her own. That hita home for me~since I am a divorced, single parent. Grandma never had much or demanded much. Every Sunday she would come out to our house and visit. Summers were great cause she took us swimming at the pool in her apt. complex. But there was always something about Thanksgiving. More than the pea salad, peach cobbler, or 5 cup salad Grandma made…it was always good to just sit and talk to her. That is my favorite Thanksgiving memory.
My most precious Thanksgiving memory was from 11 years ago. On that day, I was on a plane headed for South Africa to meet and bring home my second son. My husband and my oldest son were along, as was my sister and niece (to lend a hand to help my oldest during all our official business). My brother in law and sister in law were also going with us to bring meet and bring back their first child. That Thanksgiving season, our family grew by two, my heart grew infinitely larger, the world grew seriously smaller, and our lives were forever changed! I have so much to be thankful for!
After waiting many years to have a child, we got the call we had been waiting for on Thanksgiving Day 2005. Our adoption agency called and told us our child had been born–a healthy baby boy. What a blessing! God is so good! Thanksgiving will always be a special time for our family. Gratefulness beyond measure.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory has to be when my whole family was all together. As the years have gone by, some of those that I loved dearly have passed on and now reside with our Heavenly Father. Others have moved away. While things will never be the same, the memory of the love and laughter that we shared, sitting by a crackling fire, sharing our dreams, making plans for the Christmas holidays, will stay with me forever.
These are stunning touches to a fall home! We just moved to Colorado and I’d love to adorn our new home with these as a way to spark conversation with new friends about our love of Christ and all He has blessed our lives with!
As a college student on a Japanese embassy program I was welcome with other Americans into a celebration hosted by “The Beautiful Family”. This family was made up of three Japanese families who have a love for Christ. Their wonderful hospitality meant the world to me as I missed home terribly during this holiday. One of the women studied at The Cordon Bleu so I’m sure you can imagine, the food was divine! And at the end of the night I was given a birthday present as well! It was a purse, handmade with 100 year old kimono silk. I was speechless and never forgot the love they showered me with that year. It has always given me an appreciation for the unexpected blessings God puts in my path…and a reminder that now as a mom I can do the same! Shout out to my mom in heaven. No one ever made my Thanksgiving days as special as you did! I love you.
My thanksgiving memories are of my family when I was growing up celebrating with my grandparents’ at their house who are gone now. My grandma was an amazing cook and loved on us so sweetly. My grandpa loved to joke with us. Being at their house was fun and special. My parents instilled in us the importance of family by spending time with them on holidays and other times. I miss them dearly and have such fond memories of them.
I love these ideas to help us stay thankful! God is so good & so worthy of our praise!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory so far is in 2010 when we celebrated with our newborn son; this year we get to add our infant daughter to the celebration! So much to be thankful for!
My favorite memory is when my sister came with her family. I asked them to write their favorite thing about the visit. It is a nice to look read their comments and remember that time together.
My most treasured memory of Thanksgiving…wishing at this moment that it was sweet & tender, unfortunately it was a learning experience. First year of marriage I invited my mother & father in-law over for Turkey dinner (who is a wonderful cook by the way). I prepared and cooked the turkey the way I thought I saw my mom do it. I washed it, seasoned it, stuffed it, put it in pan & slid it into a paper grocery bag. Just before the arrival of the in-laws the house filled up with smoke so thick you had to wipe it away to see what was in front of you…the bag caught on fire. Put the flames out – opened the slider & took the turkey out… no worries it looked perfect, just as the door bell rang! Dinner was great – started cleaning up and wondered what this strange thing was in my hand that looked like paper with something in it! Didn’t know that you had to clean the inside as well. Lessons learned…
Dear Lysa,
First I have to say, I love your articles! They bless me each and every day. My most cherished Thanksgiving is one I spent with my mom when I was 25 years old. My husband was in college at the time and it happened to be my birthday that year on Thanksgiving. We made dinner together and that was my first attempt at making Thanksgiving dinner in my own kitchen. Mom came and helped and we had the most fun! Everyone played games after dinner and I think I remember overnight company. It was a birthday and Thanksgiving to remember. I treasure all the memories of my times with my mom because she has gone to be with the Lord and I miss her so much.
To date, my most treasured Thanksgiving memory would be Thanksgiving 2010. My ex-husband and I were in the middle of our divorce after 20 years of marriage. He was living overseas and had come into town to visit our daughter. He was not a fan of Thanksgiving (doesn’t quite like turkey, LOL) but I invited him to spend dinner with us (even though he had broken my heart). As we sat down to the table we went around saying what we were thankful for and as it was my turn to speak I said, with teary eyes, that I was thankful the he and I could share a meal together with friendship, even though we were in the midst of this horrible situation and that we could and would always come together as a “family” for our daughter. He replied telling me he was just as thankful. I’ll never forget the look on our daughters face or the smile she had at that moment…
Blessings,
These are beautiful!!!
One of the most fun Thanksgivings was when I was asked to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal in a foreign country. They did not sell whole turkey anywhere. I didn’t have an oven. I had a 2 burner stove and 2 rice cookers. Oh, and they didn’t have pumpkins. I was able to get a turkey breast. I used a large orange squash for pumpkin. I made sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and we didn’t know how many people would drop by to try it. It turned out that we had 12 guests plus the 4 of us. Everyone loved it.
I am hoping that this year will become my most treasured Thanksgiving memory. Thanksgiving and it’s true meaning have really been on my heart the past few months. Our normal large family gathering will not take place this year but I find myself excited that it will be just myself, my husband, our three sons, and my mother who lives with us. I have been praying for direction from the Lord for some new traditions to make this a special Thanksgiving we can all remember. I LOVE these items for just that reason especially the “Untie your Story” napkin ties. Thankful today for the blessing your ministry is in my life and the lives of so many women 🙂 God Bless!!
What beautiful wreaths and a great way to lift up our Lord and glorify His name.
We have always spent our Thanksgiving with family. This summer our grandfather went to be with Jesus. It will be a hard one for my grandmother. we all miss him. I love the thought of being purposeful in the decorations that can help us unite as a family remember the good and the now and find Christ and reasons to give thanks in all of it. As a single mom and a growing son I love your suggestions and give away. What a help to be purposeful, as I am like you and pitiful with crafts. lol
My favorite memory occurred 27 Thanksgivings ago. It was then that my husband and I announced to our families that we were expecting our first child!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is very new. My husband and I joined a church in our city at the beginning of November last year. We felt so loved and welcomed that we opened our home a few weeks later to share Thanksgiving with all of the couples in our small group, many of whom were thousands of miles from family since they were attending seminary. It was such a blessing to give these precious folks a family for Thanksgiving, and a wonderful way to christen the home we had moved into the same month. It was a truly blessed day.
my favorite thanksgiving was the year I was serving in Kenya. We fried chicken and introduced our Kenyan friends to Thanksgiving!
My most memorable Thanksgiving moment at this point would be the first one with all my boys and new wives. We have a small dining area and I wanted everyone to sit down together. We had two tables together with as many chairs as I could get around them. Very cramped but it was great. The Lord has blessed us with three tables that open up all the way into the foyer now. We have 6 beautiful Grand children!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is from November, 2010. My 60 year old mama was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in September, 2010. As Thanksgiving approached, we knew she didn’t have long. She was at home, on Hospice and hooked up to oxygen barely able to stand….but boy she had her heart set on making the stuffing that year. So, my baby sister and I got her up, showered and ready to chop those vegetables! It was quite an accomplishment, but she did it and it was the BEST stuffing we had ever eaten, made by our mama’s hands…one last time. She passed on December 7, 2010 and what I wouldn’t give to have that one precious moment back!
Precious memory. I am filled with tears. Thank you for sharing.
After a year of dating my now husband, my family celebrated Thanksgiving with his family. We had always had really nice Thanksgivings with family, but before we said our prayer, my now father-in-law had us go around the table and tell what we were thankful for. I realize this is a tradition that many families do at Thanksgiving, but my family had never done it. It was so nice to merge the families and share in each others traditions!
One year I was a director of an Early Head Start (birth-3). We had some parent involvement but not as much as we would have liked. That year, we did a project where we cut huge turkey feathers out of posterboard and sent them home. The idea was for the families to decorate their way and put what they were thankful for. It was a huge hit! We had feathers with pictures, paint, fabric, and in different languages. It was so great to see thankfulness brought out in everyone, and to see families participating with enthusiasm.
Honestly, I don’t have really any good memories of Thanksgiving’s past. I am, however, looking to this Thanksgiving with hopeful expectation that it will be a wonderful holiday spent with my daughter and my best friend. This year, God restored a very broken, utterly destroyed friendship to a relationship that is better than it ever was before. And, I am blessed to be able to spend this Thanksgiving with this man, my best friend. It will be a wonderful holiday filled with friendship, love, and great thankfullness for all Christ has done for us!
My favorite Thanksgiving memories have always started with a lazy morning in our pajama’s watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade together as a family and then having a big Thanksgiving lunch and dinner with the ones we love. Every year we go around the table and share what we are thankful for and it is so special to see how many ways God is working in all of our lives! 🙂
I love everything about Thanksgiving. I do not have just one particular “favorite” Thanksgiving, but enjoy each holiday with our family traditions. My Dad always cooks the turkey, Mom does her famous dressing, and the kids bring sides & goodies. I love that it is truly a family effort 🙂
I have always been a straight to Christmas kind of a girl. November 1st means I am playing Christmas music not stop! I am just now, probably because I am getting old, beginning to love the fall season…maybe even more that Christmas. My family has never done anything too terribly exciting on Thanksgiving. We eat too much, watch football, and plan our shopping for Friday. Well, a couple of years ago our church started Advent Conspiracy. This is thinking at Christmas time where you spend less on yourself and give more. We raise money just during the holiday season for different outreaches all over the world. This thinking completely changed my Thanksgiving. I am no longer scouring the ads for the best deals at 3.a.m. the next morning. I get to enjoy my family. We have turned Friday into a day to spend together in our home, stress free! Christmas still creeps in….we have turned it into our Christmas movie watching marathon! I know cherish this day and anxiously, with a grateful heart, await its coming!
love the wreath and napkin ties, what a great idea to share the memories, thoughts and putting God at the center of our table. Holiday celebrations are one of the best times to share our love for God and each other. Growing up, we always went to my grandmothers house. I smile at the memories. There was so many of us, the children sat on the floor in the living room with plates in our laps. Only the adults had a preferred spot at the table. I am thankful for that precious time. That was years ago but the memories are still cherished. The time we spend with family can not be replaced.
What a gift to read these treasured memories! It was such an encouragement to read as I face another day of struggles. Loving memories of dear ones, simpler times and the tender care of the One who is worthy of our deepest gratitude. That is all that really matters. Really.
Amen
As a teenager, my youth group always went horseback riding very early on Thanksgiving morning. Then we would go to church and sit in the balcony in our jeans and sweatshirts — which was otherwise unheard of to be dressed that way in church! 🙂
I had always celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, often it was just the four of us. So it went from dinner around the table complete with alll the trimmings of this grateful day to sitting around the TV watching some distracted movie. Then I met him; tall, dark skinned, handsome him. He wrapped his arms around me and invited me to his table. We drove 500 miles and were greeted by 25 smiles and hugs. They told story after story, we ate for days and I laughed and cried! I had not known family like this! This was and is my favorite Holiday and I hope to pass it on in a legacy of gratitude!
Watching the Thanksgiving Day parade while mom began preparing food for the afternoon meal. I still make my kids have the parade; even though they don’t pay much attention to it.
My family did not always celebrate Thanksgiving in the traditional way. I can remember one year that we had family come in from out of state. We had a long table of food set up in our basement with family members from each side of the family celebrating with us. We kids went outside after the big meal and raked huge piles of leaves and jumped in them. We later played cards around the big table that we had used for the meal downstairs. It has always been one of my favorite childhood memories.
When I was growing up, we were poor, so we didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. We couldn’t afford to buy special food. It was just my mother and I, and she was older and was a streamstress. She would make dresses for $1.25. So holidays weren’t anything special. We didn’t celebrate them. Her friends would bring us a plate of food to share so we would get a Thanksgiving meal.
When I grew up, I wanted to make all the holidays special for the kids, so I learned how to cook a turkey and make all the side items. I guess the first time I made the entire Thanksgiving meal is the most special. Even though it’s a lot of work, my kids have good memories of the holidays. They love to come over now and spend the holidays with us.
My most tresured Thanksgiving memory was MY very first making of dinner. My husband had just returned home from a tour in Bosnia, to our new home. We were youngsters raising a youngin. Our son wasn’t a year yet, rollin the house in a car shaped walker. It was my very first time cooking a turkey, making stuffing, pumpkin pie, and homemade mashed potatoes. I am not gonna lie, I only cooked frozen meals and stuff from boxes! I was 20, first time living on my own, thank goodness we rented across the street from my mom!!! I spent all day on the phone with her hanging on her every word and following every detail. You see I wasn’t only cooking for my lil family, but a crowd of single soldiers my husband said needed a hone cooked meal. Utter horror! Me cooking? For other people?!?! My husband swore that ANYTHING was better than MRE’s and chowhall food. I was hoping not to scar his good name at work. I prepped and timed and even cried a little, fortunately not over the stove of food. I set the table with fall decor, scrubbed the counter or dishes…beginner homemakers always have more than sinkfuls of dishes right?!…I got the baby and myself dressed. Guest started to arrive, it hit me I was feeding a house of men. Not single female. There was 5 hungry single soldiers between 19-24yrs, none that had been home yet after the deployment. So my meal was the first and only taste of home they would have in a 8 month time period.They all sat around the table, as I pulled out a PERFECT turkey from the oven. Yes! God was there with me! He knew my poor husband would never hear the end of it if I ruined dinner! But just the opposite, those guys ranted and raved how their meal was as good as there mama’s. Still to this day I can’t quite explain what a blessing that meal was. All of those hard working soldiers laughing and sharing their memories with us. It will forever be precious to my heart.
What an awesome story Carleeh, brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes!
No specific memory, just the fact that the smells coming from the kitchen and the anticipation of a day that is different from all the others bring a smile to my face. I am so hoping to create good memories for my children of Thanksgivings filled with the joy of family and the wonder of our blessings.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was the first time we invited some international students who had never experienced an American Thanksgiving before. Everything was new to them and they took pictures of everything! We shared the history of Thanksgiving including the reasons they celebrated and that we are related to one of the people on the Mayflower. It was really great to be able to share it with them.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is from my childhood. My grandmother would get out her finest china and set her ginormous table and then fill it to overflowing with amazing foods. After the meal was eaten, we would all linger around the table…sometimes for hours , and the older generation would share family stories. Even as a little kid, I would sit and soak up all of the richness of my heritage . Then it was time for PIE!! and more stories. What a legacy of faith that they left me. I pray that I will continue the legacy well with His help.
Our Thanksgiving has been quite a tradition for about 21 years now. My grandmother (who has gone to be with her Lord and son now) started our tradition as such when she encouraged her son(my Uncle Robert) to come at the same time she encouraged his son(Randy) to come for Thanksgiving, trying to rekindle a relationship that had been torn by Satan and a divorce. They both came that year (it was a 9 hour trip for Randy and his newborn son) and every year since, and this celebration grew to be an annual event for them as well as Uncle Robert’s other 2 children, and the rest of our family! It has been so exciting every year to get to visit with them!!! That uncle died a tragic death about 4 years after Mammaw established our tradition and Mammaw has died, but we still meet together with as many as we can each year. What love Mammaw has reignited, just being a mom, doing God’s will.
So perfect for an especially thankful time of year – love, love the napkin ties 🙂
I truly am so thankful for EACH Thanksgiving.. well, especially since the Thanksgiving of 2011. Since January of 2011, I have been free of drug and alcohol addiction — redeemed by our precious Lord Jesus Christ! (I remember before 2011, that when I actually did show up for any holiday “family functions,” I was hung over, withdrawn, isolated, and very ill-tempered.)…. So now, not only is every day a blessing, but the holidays, as well! (Even when I worked last year… as a home health nursing assistant, eating Thanksgiving dinner with another family!)….
These decorations are so beautiful… would really love to give this to either my mom or Grandmother this year…. they put up with so much of my mess in the past… it would be a great way to show/tell them how truly grateful I am to have their forgiveness, mercy, and love!
I don’t know that I have one favorite Thanksgiving Day memory – but it has been so precious to see how our family has changed year to year, from my 30-year-old perspective. Great-grandma Agnes was there, then she wasn’t. Grandparents Kerm and Doe were there, then they weren’t. Death, divorce and distance (even prison one year) eliminated folks from our gathering. But there were new faces, too. My uncle’s niece from his side lost her parents as a teenager – she joined us a few times. Various “significant others” showed up, nervous, and were later welcomed through marriage. Almost every year, some lonely soul would come, invited, and be filled. Now we await babies. I guess my favorite memory, then, and also my favorite expectation, is waiting to see the mix of faces – old, new and absent – around our ever-changing table. Praise God for His faithfulness! 🙂
How perfect for an especially thankful time of year. Both of our boys are in college this year- a first at our house- I’m so thankful to be their mom. The wreath and napkin ties are awesome – love, love the ties 🙂
My most treasured memory is our entire family sitting around the table reading from Barbara Rainey’s Thanksgiving book! We listed what we were thankful for and read the list aloud!! Love her book!
My most cherished Thanksgiving memory was as a child. I am a Navy brat so we traveled and lived all over, but my parents always made it a point no matter how difficult to get home to see our relatives in northern IN. I remember a huge crowd of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins at my Grandmother’s house. The smells and the laughter and happiness. It was a wonderful time. Now some of those relatives are living the promise of God in heaven, so it is not the same but I know they are in excellent hands! PRAISE HIM!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is one that happens each year! All of the family gathers together in one place. We cook, play games, watch movies, catch up with each other and reminisce the entire time. After prayer, but right before we eat the Thanksgiving meal, we each take the time to go around the table and share some of the things we’re thankful for.
Hi Lysa,
I love Thanksgiving — one of my favorite holidays! Lot’s of good memories. It’s the time before Christmas where I can enjoy being thankful! I have to share a funny…. My dad remarried. We were at my dad’s for thanksgiving – they had been married for 3 or 4 years. My step-mom was in the kitchen going to baste the Turkey. She opened the oven door, is pulling out the turkey pan and out comes the Turkey sliding down the oven door and onto the floor. Oh my…I didn’t know what to say, but, she is not one for a loss of words…she just picked it up wiped/washed it’s bottom side and stuck it back in the pan and said “no one will ever know”. I still chuckle to this day.
Thanksgiving 2003 is my most treasured memory of all the Thanksgiving’s… it was the last time my mom was with us… it was also the end of the tradition of gathering at my mom and dad’s house every year.
I am now even more thankful than ever for the sacrifice Jesus gave, so that we can all be together again one day.
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday. I believe that is the absolute most wonderful representation of family and that does not just mean my birth family. I went to college on a basketball scholarship and therefore I had to miss being home with my family for Thanksgiving. My most precious Thanksgiving memory is from my freshman year in college. My team was in Arizona on Thanksgiving and I called home and heard my family having a wonderful time and I cried and cried. Then when I got to the airport at home, my mother was waiting for me with left over Thanksgiving meals.
I have so many treasured memories! Each one a little different with each passing year.
I treasure all the Thanksgivings we had with my parents, who now reside in heaven. I treasure Thanksgivings with our now grown children and their spouses and our granddaughter. I treasure Thanksgivings with my husbands dear family as well.
I am ever thankful for all that God has given to us with each memorable treasure!
My 98 year old grandma making dressing every year!
Your emails and website always are uplifting and God always sends just the right message I need to hear for that day! Thank you!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is the last one spent with my father when we all knew that would be our last. It was such a blessing for that time to spend with him and we cherished every moment! It by far was the best one every! We spent lots of time sharing and laughing and spending time with one another…there’s nothing better!
Thanksgiving 2012 was one of the very best I can remember. Unfortunately our family suffered through much loss last year. On Thanksgiving day we lit a candle representing each person who had gone to be with Jesus (we had 4 candles) and we shared fond memories of each of them.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is the first one my husband and I were married. I had just moved out to WA state that year and was getting to know my husband’s family. We had everyone over to our little one bedroom apartment for the Thanksgiving meal. I felt so proud of my husband and I for making it to that point together after our journey had been filled with some obstacles. I was reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness as I was and have been embraced as family with open arms. I can still smell the wassil I was so proud to have simmering on that tiny stove. God is good! <3
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday…I have so many wonderful memories of family time, since I am from a large extended family with lots of Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins…. I remember once when I was young, we went to an Aunt’s house for Thanksgiving.. My mom’s sister, and her kids came too.. We all arrived the day before, so they could help our Aunt with the preparations.. It was exciting.. That night we all gathered around the Tv to watch the movie that was being aired that night.. It was The Incredible Hulk… I was soo excited, that I couldn’t sleep.. I rememberyhe adults telling me to go back to bed.. I remember lying there for what seemed like hours, till I finally drifted off… Sometime later, I woke the whole house with screams as I had drempt that the Incredible Hulk was after me… LOL… Everyone came running… I’m sure it was nearing morning, because I soon heard the women chattering as they began preparations for the dinner, over cups of coffee… Later, I finally awoke… Everyone was commenting that I nearly missed the dinner, I had slept so long…. I shall never forget scrambling out of bed, and rushing to get dressed and ready for dinner, as alluring aromas of turkey, dressing, yeast rolls, pumpkin pie, and many other foods, beckoning me to hurry and take my place at the table…
My grandparents anniversary was 11/22 & my sister’s birthday is 11/23. A lot of the time one of them falls on Thanksgiving. My grandparents were married 64 years & my grandmother died on that anniversary. I am so thankful for that legacy of commitment & love. My husband & I are coming up on our 25th, & yes honey, I am so very thankful for you. Now all that is left of our family is my dad, & my sister & her family, & me, my husband, & son. Even with the loss of so many members of our family, I am so thankful to know that I will see them again, & the time we spent together was a blessing from God. So now it’s Thanksgiving & my sister’s birthday, & I am very thankful for her, because we have been through the trials of this life together with God’s help & made it. I love you Mandy, I’m so glad God put us together in the same family. He works out EVERYTHING for our good. Thank you Lord Jesus, You are good all the time & all the time You are good!!!
No special memories-Holidays are always very lonely and painful-the wreath and napkin ties are a beautiful idea
My favorite Thanksgiving memory so far has been many years ago, when my children were very young, we went to my in-laws for the holiday. All of our relatives were there with about 12 little children altogether, including my three. Their ages ranged from newborn to 6 yrs old. My mother-in-law bought all the kids either a pilgrim hat or indian feather hat. We sat all the grandchildren on their couch with these hats on & took a picture. It was definitely a “kodak” moment!
One of my fondest Thanksgiving memories is my Grandmother playing the piano and everyone joining in singing hymns, as we cleaned up after dinner. There were at least 3 generations represented at our Thanksgiving gatherings at my Aunt’s home. We ate good, sang to our hearts content and thoroughly enjoyed each others company playing games as well. It was truly a time we were thankful and grateful we were family.
Honestly I don’t have ” treasured” memories…..Thanksgiving in our family was food and football….I am desperate to change the childhood memories for my children to Christ centered and family oriented.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was the year I became engaged. I remember asking my grandmother to give me her best marriage advice and you never asked her advice unless you really REALLY wanted to hear it. She told my soon to be husband and I never let the sun set on our anger. Best advice I ever received and to this day we never do! Thank you my most precious Mam-Ma! (She’s been with our Heavenly Father for 2 years now) I am truly thankful for her great advice!
During nursing school, I became very ill, and I didn’t know what was wrong. My husband and I prayed for God’s will to be accomplished and just for answers. After seeing many doctors, and all saying they couldn’t find anything wrong, I starting researching (what a nursing student does) lol! As I read about celiac disease, I thought, “I have so many of these symptoms.” Sure enough, after different testing, celiac disease is exactly what I have. For so long, food was something that our family had fellowshiped together over, and now, I thought,”I am never going to be able to cook or bake the same way, or eat the same things, ever again.” It was a life changing experience, but life-changing experiences produce growth and sure do increase our faith in our Lord! God has shown me, and grown me so much during this experience. He helped me understand the changes I would have to make, but most importantly, He allowed me to be restored again and healed. Our first gluten-free Thanksgiving was last year, and what a special time with family that it was. He has given me an opportunity to help others with this diagnosis and have an even better time cooking and baking!! Everyone joked about how they didn’t know how everything was going to turn out, but it all turned out wonderful! God has taught me so much during this experience. He has definitely increased my strength in Him. He brought out a strength in me that I didn’t even know that I had! What an amazing and wonderful, gracious God that we serve!!
A few years ago when I was the registered nurse Administrator of a hospice this situation occurred and I will remember forever. It was late in the evening and the night before Thanksgiving, I was just walking out the door of our newly opened Hospice House. As I approached the door threshold to leave I gave thanks to the Lord for making this Hospice House a reality, especially at Thanksgiving time. I stopped for a moment to reflect and was struck by the realization that when our patients came through this door they would not be leaving our facility alive. Now I knew this because I had been a hospice nurse for over twenty years, however, this stark reality hit me. What were our patients thinking about when they entered this place of shelter. Did they fully realize they would go back through this door into the loving arms of Jesus. What a sacred privilege for us and a tremendous responsibility to care for them as they make this final transition into their new life. This was a humbling, joyful and thankful moment. Could we as a multi-disciplinary team of caregivers uphold our commitment to travel with them for part of this journey and assist them in finding comfort and spiritual peace? I rejoiced for this blessed Thanksgiving gift.
Just found you through Incourage! Love both of these items!
love the decorations! My most memorable Thanksgiving was probably the year I was left washing dishes after my husband’s extended family gathering. what I didn’t know is that everyone left so that they could prepare my surprise baby shower! I was definitely surprised.
Love the wreath! My favorite memory is our family all together ~ SO much to be thankful for!
When I was a teenager, my aunt and uncle lived next door. Thanksgiving was going to be at their house that year and I was helping my mom carry dishes over that she had made. In my arms was the delicious green bean and corn casserole! There was a sidewalk between our houses, so visiting was easy. The only problem was that it had several uneven places. I happened to find one that day, tripped, and the favorite casserole decorated the sidewalk. I felt so bad! But, I will never forget what my mom did next. She ran back into the house, got two spoons, and invited me to join her in eating what we could. I have never forgotten that day! Oh, that I could learn to respond to life’s disappointments with such grace!
My most precious Thanksgiving memories are from my childhood, when we would travel to my precious aunt’s house. She was such a servant of the Lord, and just passed away a few months ago at nearly 98 years of age. Her signature on every communication was, “Jesus love you. I do too.”
My Husband has a very large family. Since we have been married we have been a part of huge family gatherings which I so adore and treasure. However I would have to say some of my fondest Thanksgiving memories were before I met my Husband, before I had such an available family to spend the Holidays with… Because of this I always held a meal in my home for all of my friends, co workers, etc who did not have family close by. This looked different every year and so these Thanksgiving were so unique each year and I am so grateful for the different stories shared around the dinner table during these years and the many unique lives I was able to be a part of!
Our eldest son, Rob, carved the Thanksgiving turkey for the first time in 1998, proudly wearing an apron from the Men’s Club at our church and wearing an even bigger smile. It was a rare and awesome Thanksgiving with our entire family together. Early in 1999 he died in a car accident, but this picture of him serving as man of the house is a beautiful memory etched in my heart forever. .
One year at Thanksgiving we were all gathered around, holding hands, going around the room saying what we were thankful for. My son, who was around 6 at the time, said he was grateful for Jesus dying on the cross for him…..my heart just melted and at the same time I was so proud of him.
My husband works on Thanksgiving day each year, so we don’t have time to travel home. But, we’ve spent the last 9 years with great friends making memories to last a lifetime. My favorite memory starts with a traditional kickball game. Our Florida friends do it every year and this particular year my husband, one-year old son, and I joined in the fun. I didn’t know about the game ahead of time, so my wardrobe wasn’t the best kickball choice, but that didn’t stop me. With my son on my hip I walked up to the plate, kicked the ball and headed to first … did I mention the knee-high heeled boots? Against all odds I made it without falling or dropping the baby! And the memory and kickball tradition live on!
My most treasured Thanksgiving would have to be from 1986. I moved 800 miles from home that summer – alone in a huge city, new job, new church, making new friends. I just had to go home for this first holiday! I left at 3:30PM on Wednesday, to make that Thanksgiving journey, driving through the worst storms I could ever remember. Arriving the next morning at 8am, weary and exhausted, the smells of turkey and dressing, lovingly placed in the oven at 4am, greeted me before I even opened the door! And then the precious hugs from my Mom – the best “Welcome Home!” Pumpkin pies were baked, cooling on the counter, anticipating the time for dessert. Egg nog was ready to be poured, the little green and red glasses waiting to be filled. The table was set to perfection. Dad, testing the dressing again and again. The warmth and love of Home!! Then my sister & her family came and my gramas. In would come my brother and his family, and Mom would reveal the ‘surprise’ cake to celebrate his birthday. I loved the incredible chatter and laughter that always happened in the kitchen, after dinner, doing dishes! We laughed until we cried. . . over nothing!!! It would be our last Thanksgiving together. I would make that 800 mile trek for Christmas, every year until my Mom passed away in 2009, but this would be our final Thanksgiving! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a reason to go back and remember those precious times, now just memories of my life! Happy Thanksgiving. . .soon!
I love Thanksgiving because it is such a special family time and a time to reflect on all of our blessings. Every Thanksgiving is special to me but the most treasured one’s that I really anticipated were when I was away at college. It was a gift to be able to fly home and spend time together as a family. There is no place like home!
I love Barbara’s vintage items. I have seen them here in Arkansas and was so impressed with the. What great ideas for keeping Christ the focus off all we do. Thank you for sharing theses.
What a beautiful wreath. I love how it gives Jesus thanks. I am so thankful; to him for saving my soul..
Thanks so much for sharing! I love, love, love decorating our home for Fall & the Thanksgiving Season. Memories of Thanksgiving for me start with family. Growing up we had Thanksgiving always with my Grandparents. The whole family would gather at their house as dinner was being prepared, the aroma of Thanksgiving filled every nook and cranny of their home. Along with the sounds of all of us sharing stories, laughter, and such a warm peacefulness.
Now as I am making memories for our family and creating traditions for them to take with them and pass on, I weave the memories in from that time and we also create new too. Our home is now filled with all that & so much more. I love this time of year!!
I LOVE the napkin ring questions!!! I want to do that, but what I would love is a longer list of “thankful” questions. I’m so looking forward to doing that with my family this year. Thank you!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is of the last Thanksgiving dinner I had with my daughter before she moved out of state, and then passed away in Oct 2011. She did all the cooking and I got to spend the day with her, my two grandsons, my husband, her husband and her brother-in-laws
One of my most treasured Thanksgivings is one of the last holiday’s we had at my grandmas before moving it to someone else’s house. My grandma was getting older and having everyone over was just too much for her. Have everyone gathered in her home, the one she and my grandpa built together, was so special!
I remember before every Thanksgiving meal, we would all share something we were thankful for. We have a big, extended family so the list would grow and there was a lot of laughter and tears involved.
My favorite memory though was of the Thanksgiving my husband first met my family. We weren’t dating yet, because I’d put him through a Herculean quest for my hand and he’d risen to the challenge to meet my dad. He gave my mom a bouquet of white roses, made my younger siblings fall in love with him, and instead of asking for permission to date me (I’m a tough nut to crack), he asked my dad for my hand in marriage. Just to prove that he was serious. 🙂
I especially love having our immediate family for Thanksgiving. A little more relaxing/laid back, and I can try to make their favourites. I start asking a week before, what they would like me to make. When my boys were little we would gather beautiful “nature mementos” to decorate our table – flowers, leaves, pine cones, etc.
So hard to pick my favorite!
One was the birth of my first child on a nov day & her 1st Thanksgiving.
Another was 5 years later when The Lord spared her life & helped her make a full recovery from a life-threatening illness! What a miracle & a blessing!
I LOVE your fall ideas!!
Thank you for sharing!
My favorite Thanksgiving memories is while my husband was serving as a Navy Chaplain. We frequently would invite sailors or marines to our home that did not have a place to go for a Thanksgiving dinner. Our children still talk about how great it was to have a wide variety of people in our home on Thanksgiving over the years, they never quite knew who would show up.
I was 14 years old and this was the last year my whole immediate family would be be together with their families in my parents home. I remember lots of talk and laughter throughout the whole house. Abundance of delicious food with everyone having one of their favorite foods to enjoy and savor. The next get together would be sad times of remembering loved ones who died ( my maternal grandma who lived with us ) was the fist empty seat , then my dad, my oldest brother and lastly my mom’s chair remained empty. So my heart rejoices for wonderful memories that were made that special Thanksgiving in 1973. We never knew that would be the last year together so now I cherish every moment we gather together as a family. I don’t know what my tomorrow holds but Jesus does and I trust Him.
I think one of my favorite Thanksgivings was one when I was little and my grandparents were still living. We had them over along with my Aunt, Uncle, and a cousin. We had a good time with all of us together.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is cooking with my grandma. Each year I would spend the night at her house the night before Thanksgiving, and she would wake me up early in the morning so that I could help her prepare the turkey for baking. When I got married, I started to bake it “by myself” (I was constantly calling her on the phone with questions throughout the whole process – lol;). She would always call to be sure I was awake and that the turkey was is the oven on time. I became more confident in the process each year and called fewer times to check in with Grandma as I was cooking. A few years back, I can remember commenting to her that I didn’t need to call her that year as I was cooking! As we sat down to the table each year, I would always watch Grandma to see if she thought that I did a good job with the turkey and the rest of the meal, including her yummy candied yams. When she gave the nod of approval, my Thanksgiving was complete! This will be the first Thanksgiving that I won’t be able to call Grandma, or have her approval of my cooking, as she went to be with Jesus this past March at 100 years old. I miss her so much and I covet your prayers as this Thanksgiving will be a very emotional day for me. My sweet grandma is my favorite Thanksgiving memory! Thanks for listening:)
One of many treasured Thanksgiving memories was when my husband and I cooked our first turkey. It was 23lbs and was just for the two of us and our 13 month old! We had A LOT of leftovers but had a blast cooking together!
My Dad was not a spiritual leader of our home growing up. But one thanksgiving we went around the table to say something we were thankful for . He praised God for my mom and for what a wonderful wife and mother she was. It really touched my heart.
I just finished a women’s Bible Study and we all decided to do one of lysa’s next. My teacher forwarded this email to us. I am excited to share a past Thanksgiving with y’all, I bought a trailer on my own when my girls were 6 and 3, I was in the process of getting a divorce and I invited my mom, she is a widow and my sister and her family over. It was my first Thanksgiving in my new house and my first ever Thanksgiving I cooked. My mother is a wonderful Christian and raised me right. We said the blessing and my mother’s tradition of everyone in the circle holding hands telling one thing we are thankful for. I am so blessed and happy I have a wonderful family that believes in God. God Bless Y’all.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory was the first one my then boyfriend, now husband, attended. He had helped me prepare a pumpkin pie the night before Thanksgiving, and my mom said he should come since he helped me make the pie. I made sure it was okay with the host, my aunt, and surprisingly my boyfriend said he would go because that was a big step for us at the time. It was also my grandma’s last Thanksgiving making the day even more precious.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is spending time around the table with all my children and grandchildren in one place.We dont get to do that much and every Thanksgiving we can be together is always the best!
Fall is definitely my favorite time of year, too! Such a needed break from the heat of summer, leaves falling, brisk air… I would have to say that Thanksgivings with my dad are what I miss most now. He passed away three years ago and up until that point he was the only family member that would regularly join our family for holidays.
One of my “favorite” {bittersweet} Thanksgiving memories was sharing my grandmother’s final Thanksgiving with us while she was passing with Stage 4 brain cancer. It was precious. Great time together even though she may not have been totally coherent. It blessed my soul to watch her talk and smile to my youngest son (who is now 5). I will never forget that sweet memory… xo
My most cherished Thanksgiving memory is when everyone went around the table and said what they were grateful about the person next to them. So precious!
I love Thanksgiving, One year my Birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day, what a joy to celebrate with my family. I love all of Barbara Raineys beautiful God inspired items
After have been away for ministry for a couple years, My most favorite Thanksgiving was when we had temporarily moved closer to our married kids and were able to spend Thanksgiving with them!!
My favorite memory is the cranberry salad that my grandma use to make. I was a beautiful pink color. We host Thanksgiving now for my family and that is always a staple. If I forget to put it out, someone will ask where the cranberry salad is. My grandma has been gone for over 20 years but lives in our memories with her salad.
My most memorable Thanksgiving was November 2007. Three days prior to Thanksgiving we received the call from our adoption agency that we had to be in Guatemala by Monday to bring our son home. As we frantically packed, bought plane tickets and made hotel reservations, we continuously gave thanks to God for answering our prayers to bring our son home before Christmas. We spent Thanksgiving at my parents and my dad said “God will bless our family from generation to generation.” We left early the next morning for Guatemala and our life has been truly blessed every since we made that journey.
My most cherished Thanksgiving memory is when I was younger and all my grandparents and extended family could get together with us for a big family meal, just having everyone together.
My favorite memory is gathering with family and cooking with the ladies. It was such a blessing as a child to be mentored by my aunt and mom in the kitchen. Truly a blessing
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory would be 2011, It was our first Thanksgiving with my 11 month old nephew! We spent the weekend at my bro and sil’s house, two states away, and that weekend for the very first time he reached for me when he was crying and scared.
My first born son’s birth: November 24, 1995. He’s a senior this year.
My favorite memory of the Thanksgiving holiday would be when I was a young child and we would go to my Aunt’s house for dinner, she is no longer with us, but I will always remember that. Also the memories that I have made with my daughter, who is now 19. I raised her as a single mother and always made sure that we spent time together as a family , even though it was not the “traditional family” in the sense , but it was in the heart.
It’s so hard to pick a favorite memory because I treasure them all. But I remember a time when all the members of my family were able to have thanksgiving at my grandparents home and there were about 15 of us crammed in their kitchen holding hands and praying as a family and then we each shared what we were thankful for that year. I will always hold that memory in my heart because as we all get older it’s so hard to get everyone together for the holidays.
One of my most favorite Thanksgiving memories is from last year’s Thanksgiving. We had a “non-traditional” meal, but were together. It was our last Thanksgiving with my Grandpa, as he passed away 2 months later. Instead of “name place cards” we had cards on the table with different Bible verses about “giving thanks.” Thankful for that special time together.
So excited to see your decorating. I have had on my heart this year to decorate more with purpose. Thank you. And what a wonderful gift!!!!! Soooooo excited. I was reading and thinking where am I going to get the pieces to duplicate? However I am a woman that can accomplish a mission. But you provided. Hopefully still available.
Our Thanksgiving is a big deal at our house, we have all the family as many that can come and any one who we meet that does not have a place to go, they are coming to our house. We prepare weeks in advance, making sure everything is covered. Everyone brings a dish or two of their favorites and we BBQ pig , deep fry Turkey and bake Ham. But the most fun of all is sliding down our back yard on cardboard. We have to make sure there are plenty of slides for all the children, even have footage of my sister trying her expertise at surfing down the hill. I am so thankful because 43 year ago I married the love of my life, his family took me in as their own and how I needed that at that point of my life . I have the most wonderful family including sister-in-laws, brother-in laws, nieces, nephews, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. The most is my mother-in-law and father-in-law who are now in heaven who loved my as their own daughter. God is good and He gives you the people you need in your life at the right time. Thank you Lord for everything!!
My favorite Thanksgiving was many years ago when my three children were small. Having been from a large family all of my siblings had made other arrangements for their holiday elsewhere. It was then that I realized I had to establish a tradition and teach my small children about this wonderful celebration. From that day to present I have continued to plan an entire meal and have my children and their families join together. It was then realized I had much to be thankful and I knew I had gained another responsibility
I cherish the time our whole family can be at the table together as it get harder each passing year! Thanks Lysa for always inspiring nd challenging me to be a stronger Christian.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is from 2010. My husband was in the Italian Navy serving in southern Italy, and the kids and I were holding down the fort here in NC. A year-and-a-half-old new Christian on fire for The Lord, I packed up our three kids the week before Thanksgiving and flew from Raleigh to Rome, Italy to meet my husband at the airport and go see his mother, Elisa – who I knew in my heart was dying of cancer. The two weeks leading up to that trip were a blur of passports and airplane tickets, but I was obedient to the call that was laid on my heart and everything fell into place. We spent a wonderful week there, and Elisa was surrounded by all four of her sons, daughters-in-law and all six of her grandchildren. We returned to the U.S. the day before Thanksgiving, and upon landing back in Raleigh – we discovered Elisa had passed away during our flight. Now, you may be wondering how in the world that could possibly be my most cherished Thanksgiving memory. Wrapped in our grief was confirmation that our Father is sovereign. I believe He waited for Elisa to see her family from far and near reunited next to her, because He knew her greatest passion was her family. Then He took her frail body up into His arms and restored her and made her new. God’s presence was made so clear to me in those moments! I cherish every last bit of that time because of what it signified and for Who it honored. And I am thankful every time I remember – for our God who loves us so much that He carry us across an ocean to reveal it.
My favorite thanksgiving memory is when my dads side of the family all got together and got in a big circle, said what we were thankful for then held hands and prayed. That was the last thanksgiving that my grandmother was present so it is very special to me 🙂
Thanksgiving 2011 ~ My family traveled to see my parents as my dad had been in the hospital/rehab center for a number of months. When we suggested that we could get him home for Thanksgiving dinner, both my parents were leery not knowing how we could pull it off. My amazing husband talked to the rehab center staff and we had a special “delivery” for a special meal. His spirits were visibly lifted and he gave a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving ~ That was the last time he was in his earthly home before his true home-going in early January 2012… God is good!
Our 2nd Thanksgiving while living in Germany has been my favorite….so far (it was 23 yrs ago!) Our oldest daughter was 5 mo old, my husband’s cousin was stationed in country and came to spend the day with us, and we had some dear friends there, also. It was so nice to be able to host friends and family in my overseas apt, I felt like my husband and I were actually becoming our own family!!
The autumn items are beautiful, I think I may have to make a Thankful wreath for our home!!
My favorite Thanksgiving memories were made at my grandma Geyers house going and having Thanksgiving dinner with all the family. We just laid her to rest today at the age of 97.
Every Thanksgiving I leave a paper leaf and a sharpie marker at each place setting and have each person share the thing they are most thankful for that year on the leaf – we then hang the leaves on a “Tree of Thanks” and I keep and put them away when I change to Christmas decorations. My mom passed away a few years ago and I am especially thankful to have discovered the leaves she wrote over the years when I was decorating this fall. They are filled with the joys of her life, children, grandkids, and friends… I think this year my leaf may reflect how thankful I am that I kept her leaves and able to cherish those memories! 🙂
I would have to say that the Thanksgiving after my mother’s passing is most special to me. All 5 of my brothers and sisters got together for the first time in years. My daddy really needed us and we needed him…and we all were truly grateful for our memories, the time shared, and each other.
I knew last Thanksgiving was extra special. A few years ago, I learned that a widowed acquaintance in our small town had no living relatives, except for a nephew several hundred miles away whom she hadn’t had contact with in several years.
In her early 60’s and with failing health, she pretty much kept to herself. Believing no one should be alone, I felt somehow called to pour into her life, letting her know that she was not alone and her life mattered. Our friendship bloomed into a relationship that I’d never imagined and I ended up being the one blessed!
Our family had invited her to our home for Thanksgiving for a couple of years, but she always had a reason why she couldn’t make it; so we would deliver to her home instead. Last year, she finally agreed to come to our home. I didn’t believe it until I saw her come through the door as I welcomed her with open arms. We ate and the guys watched football. And while us gals enjoyed dessert @ the table, I told her how having her join us for dinner had made it one of the most special Thanksgivings I could remember. As she thanked me, several times, she said how wonderful it was to be invited, because she couldn’t remember the last time she had been to someone’s home, but thought it had been about 10 years.
Nancy passed away last February. I am so grateful that God blessed my life with hers, through the many things that she taught me, shared with me and blessed my life with, including last Thanksgiving, which will always be one of my most memorable!!
Best memories before my dad passed away was always inviting a single mom with kids or single people that didn’t have any family over to our house to share thanksgiving meal together and spend the whole day with us. We did this on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
One of the most vivid Thanksgiving memories I have is the first year we were in Brazil serving as missionaries. Being away from family during the holidays was always so difficult. But the year we became part of the tradition of numerous American families gathering for the thanksgiving weekend down at the beach…enjoying fellowship together & making a full course thanksgiving dinner. God blessed us with some new friends through that tradition that quickly became as family. It was a vivid reminder that even when circumstances aren’t exactly what we’re used to or aren’t the way we’d like them to be, He gives us so much to be thankful for & the realization that we are blessed beyond measure.
I love these! My favorite thanksgiving memory is when we were all able to get together for the holidays. Theres nothing like family!
The first Thanksgiving I made dinner all by myself, my Paw-Paw coached me over the phone as I made my first solo roasted turkey. We had a few hiccups, but it went well. It’s one of my most treasured memories of him. He’s been gone 7 1/2 years, and November 1st is his birthday, so I think of him a lot during this time of year.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory is my first Thanksgiving as a newlywed. My husband’s family came in town and stayed with us for 4 days, so I cooked the holiday meal along with 3 other meals, and boy was I nervous. My sweet husband was a total team player and helped so much which calmed my anxious heart and allowed me to really focus on thanks. I’ll never forget how he was all buttered up with his arm halfway in that turkey 🙂 Love that man!
My most treasure Thanksgiving memory was the last Thanksgiving I had with my parents and brother in the house I grew up in. My husband was with me and I was pregnant with my first child. I was able to give thanks for my daughter and that was a special moment to share with my family. My parents both died in the next seven years so I hold the memory close in my heart.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is going to church Thanksgiving Eve, where anyone who wants to can stand during the service and declare what they’re thankful for!! I love it! 🙂 I really want to win these napkins for my momma! 🙂
One of my most treasured Thanksgiving memories is 2 years ago, celebrating with my parents after my Dad had come through treatment for cancer. Just made me so grateful for life, and all the many blessings God has given me.
I love the memories of several thanksgivings…but one that sticks out. Three years ago when amidst the rush of hosting it that year I helped my 5 yr old son make a turkey dinner roll “holder.” On each feather we wrote things he was thankful for. It wasn’t fancy at all…made out of a brown paper sack! But using that turkey to hold the rolls each year since has been so special for him and fun to look back at what he was thankful for. I’m thankful we took that precious time together to make a “treasure.”
That sounds so neat! How did your son turn a paper sack into a turkey to hold rolls? I would love to make one with my children 🙂
oh I love that wreath, so beautiful. my favorite thanksgiving memory will have to be last year which will remain special in my heart. we had a long table outside all decorated beautifully and we ate to our hearts content, played football, ran around with the kids and just loved being together at my grandma’s house. This year she is dying of pancreatic cancer and more than likely won’t be with us at Thanksgiving, so I will treasure my memory of our last thanksgiving with her happy and healthy!
It seems every year brings its own uniqueness and special moments. From memories as a child to memories as a mother and now as a grandmother. Each year there is an abundance of reasons to be grateful. Sometimes there is a reminder of sadness as loved ones are no longer here with us. But there is always the knowledge that God has been faithful. In every situation. And for that – we are thankful.
Thanksgiving 2011 is my most precious. My father in law had a stroke in September 2011 and the most visible signs of stroke were diminished appetite and his inability to speak clearly. He was a preacher for 42 years and God chose a path for him that did not enable him to speak as he did before. Our whole family was together. We all squeezed around a too small table and my husband asked his dad to say the blessing. My father in law began to pray, in a clear strong voice and then ate almost 3 plates of home cooking!
One year my son (who was then 4) made Pilgrim and Indian hats for each family member. He also made a set of turkey legs for my brother bc he was “The turkey.” Before prayer at dinner, my little guy pulled out all these hats and passed them out. It gave everyone alot of laughs, which lasted throughout dinner. It’s a fun memory and was a much needed happy moment as it came after a year of emotional stress in the family, plus it was our first year without all the extended family (like 40 people) together at my parents, which was hard (but necessary as my mom is in her 80s and although she wanted to, just couldnt for all those people anymore). For my parents, siblings and their families who were there though, it was a wonderful fun day of laughter and one proud little boy.
I simply love the fall, and especially Thanksgiving! Choosing a favorite would be impossible. I have had a houseful of family and guests, and the next year only 3 guests. I cherish each unique gathering, even remembering back to childhood. So thankful!
My best memories of thanksgiving were from my childhood. Spending the day with my cousins and the whole family. So fun!
Most memorable Thanksgiving was last year when my sister and husband came to visit from the Philippines. It was their very first Thanksgiving celebration. It was a wonderful time with the family and sharing about what we were all thankful for.
I love those thought provoking decorations, they’re great!
Thanksgiving had always been a favorite holiday, always reminding me to be so grateful for my family & everything God had blessed us with. I love taking turns going around the table& everyone
Sorry, somehow I hit the publish button, with my not wanting to go to bed 20 month old crawling all over me..lol…
As I was saying, I love having everyone go around the table, and saying at least one blessing they are thankful for. I’m looking forward to having many traditions from my husband & I passed down to our daughter in the years to come!
Counting our blessings as we prepare the meal.
Having a hard time limiting my favorite memory to one…I have two – very special memories – one was that of introducing Thanksgiving to some friends in Japan. I initially ordered a 22 kilo turkey – from the States – not being used to kilos (thankfully the one doing the ordering noted the turkey weighed as much as her 11 year old son). It was corrected to 22lbs and so we had turkey tasting and thanksgiving – for many it was their first taste of both! And last year for my birthday, which is at the same time as Canadian Thanksgiving – I was at home in Canada to celebrate – my sister and her “daughter” who is 8 surprised me with the most amazing party – I was 8 again with all the sparklers/noise makers ribbons, funny eyegoggles, streamers and even the goody bag! Truly thankful for both of those memories.
I love love love thanksgiving. One of my most cherished memories was 3 years ago when my granddaughter wrote a thanksgiving play and had costumes. She had her great grandmother and great grandfather in the play. It was a sweet time.
Any Thanksgiving my whole family (husband, daughter, grandson & son-in-law) can share the special day together is my favorite Thanksgiving! Next to giving thanks to Jesus for what he’s done for me, is corporately giving thanks with those I love most.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is of the large gatherings we had as a child, with all the extended family. Before the kids all grew up, the grandparents passed on, and a couple of divorces occurred. It’s a sweet memory to think back on.
My most treasured memory is last Thanksgiving with our precious one year old grandson. Missing him so much this year and praying he and our daughter return soon.
How fun, Lysa! I’m doing your Unglued study for the second time (with the book this time)! I love learning from your insights and applying them in my life!!
Hmmm, my memory isn’t what it used to be… I could tell you how old each one of my four children is, their birthdays, and the dates of their memorable milestones, but I can barely recall what I ate for breakfast this morning! I guess I’d have to say the best Thanksgiving memory I have is from the year that my cousin invited my family out to share the holiday. My dad’s family all live close to one another and consider family to be utmost. My dad, on the other hand, moved my mom and us kids four hours away, to visit only a few weekends each year. It always felt kind of like we were outsiders intruding when we drove out for a visit.
Since my father passed away over a decade ago, relations with his side of the family have been strained, and I was reticent to accept the invitation. Growing up, this cousin and I had been very close, and my longing to reunite with her, as well as to see our children play together, ultimately brought my family four hours away from home to visit my dad’s whole, huge, rowdy family.
I’m so glad that I didn’t let fear keep me away! It was wonderful to know that my dad’s five siblings plus three generations down still loved me and considered me and my children to be a part of their family!
My most memorable Thanksgiving happened a week before our big feast. I gave birth to my second daughter. Before I was pregnant with her doctors told me I would have a difficult time getting pregnant again and tried to take my uterus due to a complication with my first child. After trusting in The Lord and not the doctors, I took the leap of faith even thought I had to face the possibility of death or infertility. And we were blessed with a healthy girl who will be one year old in a few weeks. Much to be thankful for.
My Memorable Thanksgiving is carried over each year with being able to cook and spend time with my mom and dad!
One our first Thanksgivings I remember being married to a man in the military was one where it ended up being just me, my husband and our three girls. My mother-in-law was supposed to drive from Virginia to our home in Maryland but she had car trouble. We ended up have a small family Thanksgiving just the 5 of us! The memorable part is that it was unseasonably warm that day and after dinner we went out on the deck and sang “Give Thanks” which we blasted on the CD player, um, more than one time, the girls got so into it. Even though it was just us and we were just getting by financially it was one of the most blessed times I can remember.
I remember a thanksgiving when my Gramsy asked for someone to toss her the salt. I watched my dad pick the salt up and literally toss it to her. Dinner lasted a lot longer that year by the time we all could stop laughing, wipe our eyes and start eating again. Now both my dad and my Gramsy are home and I treasure those memories.
My favourite childhood Thanksgiving memory is of the time it was my parents’ turn to host the extended family on my mom’s side. It was special because, though we lived in the same town as most of my dad’s side of the family, we usually saw mom’s side only once a year. On this particular occasion, we were having so many people for dinner (more than I had ever seen in our house!) that my dad got a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of plywood and laid it on top of the dining table, for a bigger table surface. It worked great, and afterward, he painted the plywood green with white lines, for an inexpensive ping-pong table!
My funniest Thanksgiving memory was our first year of Christian service with our church mission organization, almost 4,000 miles away from our home location. All of the couples involved were getting together, and since we lived next door to the dinner venue, I was assigned to roast one of the turkeys and make some of the stuffing.
I had never done either before, but I knew there was never enough stuffing. So I made extra stuffing, and put it into a bread loaf pan. Unfortunately, I put the extra pan of stuffing into the oven when the turkey went in. I later took out a solid black brick. I’ve never lived that one down!
P.S. I love both ideas—the wreath and the napkin ribbons!
Thanksgiving is somewhat bittersweet when you’re the only one at the table who is actually giving thanks TO God. I am blessed with a wonderful family, steeped in traditions of food, family, friends, and generosity. I yearn for them to all personally know the love and salvation of Jesus, and each year, my heart breaks when they irreverently shout their Thanksgiving prayer, “two potatoes for four of us, thank the Lord there’s no more of us”. Then God sweetly reminds me that He IS the Lord of all, and He is still at work in each of us. Every year. Same food. Same prayer. Same heartbreak. Same comforting. It IS my favorite memory because, in God’s perfect timing, it is a memory of victory. My loved ones have all been bought with the same price I was, and God’s work is occurring, even when it doesn’t seem evident from my perspective.
Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your household.
PS – thanks for the wonderful ideas that will enable me to subtly bring God into His rightful place at the table without getting in their faces in an obnoxious way. I’m not very crafty at all, but I’m going to try!
We have been blessed in my family, to spend our Thanksgiving holidays with the entire family, arriving at Grammie and Popsie’s house from all over the place. I treasure the time that we spend catching up and re-connecting each year. My most treasured memory, is of our family as we gather in a circle each year, hold hands and pray. My dad always blesses the food, and we follow with whatever is in our heart. What was so precious on this particular Thanksgiving, was that as we prayed, the dog began to “talk” and join right in with our prayer. The little Maltese named Mikey, prayed right along with us!
I love a great “funny” thanksgiving memory… One year when we all got together with nine grand kids, six aunts and uncles, and my parents, we just finished eating our dinner and were laughing and having a glass of wine together and my brother’s chair decided to collapse. It happened in slow motion it seemed, so that we had no idea what was happening other than my brother looked scared and he got lower and lower to the ground before ending up on his back….with his wine glass in the air flat, wine still in the glass. We laughed for the longest time. So fun!
My treasured memories always include my children, who are my greatest blessings…we all share a love of cooking…celebrating Thanksgiving gives us opportunity to be thankful to God for sooo much and to play together doing what we all enjoy! Thank you for the chance to share and to have a chance at the lovely napkin rings and wreath.
My most treasured Thanksgiving is just my husband and 2 children cooking dinner together and enjoying it just the 4 of us. It was the first Thanksgiving we didn’t celebrate with everyone else in our family but it was the simplest and sometimes that’s the best to remember what God has given us.
Traditions for Hollidays was established in my home life while growing up. Every thanksgiving we would start out with a special simple breakfast together. Then we would all have jobs to do in helping prepare the meal for ALL the family to come to our house to eat lunch. The smells that filled our home created such a warm and inviting atmosphere. My Dad would always put on Praise music to fill the house (and wart off any attitudes of frustration or the tizzies 🙂 When family arrived there was always hugging and laughter. At the lunchtime table, full of mouthwatering food, we would each take a moment during the Thanksgiving prayer to thank the Lord for ONE thing. My Dad, who passed away just 9 months ago , would be the last one to pray..and his thanks would always be ….FOR OUR LORD JESUS 🙂 Traditions….are Treasures for a lifetime.
Ginger – the Redhead from Texas (as my new husband of 2 yrs refers to me !)
Thanksgiving evokes memories of family. Too many to just pick one.
Thanksgiving in my family has always involved gathering family together for a special meal, but that is usually where it stops. I would love to have a Thanksgiving meal that goes a little further…where we truly open up and share our gratitude and Christ’s love with one another. These napkin holders are perfect for bringing out the true and treasurable meaning of Thanksgiving. Would love to win them!
wreath and napkin rings are a great idea…but I will make my own paper and ribbon. your stuff is a little expensive
I cherish my childhood Thanksgivings so much. My grandma and one very special aunt passed several years ago and they always made the day so special.
I love everything fall and Thanksgiving. This last year my two little ones were 2 and 3 and I decided to make a thankful tree on our wall. It was really fun to see them understand thankfulness more and a good reminder too of the simple things they usually picked. Then when we had a house full of inlaws, we all added together to it. We actually have kept it up on our wall ever since.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memories are of the few rare times the whole family got together. With an uncle stationed in Germany, and a Grandfather living hundreds of miles away , it rarely happened.
Hosting friends from church several years ago that did not have family locally. It made it so much more special and made us be more thankful for each other when you choose to share your home with fellow believers.
My most treasured moment was as a youth leader I taught the teens about Sukkot! The Jewish thanksgiving and the praises lifted to God during that week! You can see how the kids were excited to learn that Thanksgiving wasn’t what they were brought up to believe but that it had biblical background ! I told them the story of the day after thanksgiving working a trader joe’s and this woman came up and expressed how awful of holiday season she’s had due to death in the family and being over-worked at her job. I bought her flowers , all I knew how to do, and prayed that would brighten up her spirit . I told our teens sometimes thanksgiving isn’t just about loved ones but pouring out the love to strangers God gave us and we at times hold it all in for ourselves. It plants a seed ! And we all know God handles the rest! It’s my most treasured memory !
last Thanksgiving, we started off the day with an annual Turkey Bowl. Where men all of ages gather and pretend they are 13 again and can play football. It was cold and the air was full of laughter, and teasing, and high fives and grunts and moans. Haha. We spent the afternoon with my mother and stepfather in their home. We invited our best friends (who had taken us to the Turkey Bowl), and their teenage daughters because they didn’t have family in the area. Kendall baked 5 delicious pies from scratch. He was amazing at baking pretty much anything. Becci made homemade rolls that were so good, my son couldn’t stop eating them. We played games and ate and laughed and talked for hours. Becci and Kendall were both killed in a car accident this summer… We plan on attending the annual Turkey Bowl this year and we are going to make Beccis rolls. It will be a bittersweet Thanksgiving this year… But we are so grateful for so many memories with them. They changed our lives while they were here and we have changed because of the tragedy. We learned in our friendship with them to always express how we feel about one another. To make plans and make memories. To lean on another for prayer ad fellowship. Walking with them in this life was an amazing experience we’ve never had before and we know that came from God. I am so so grateful for such a wonderful friendship.
My father-in-law is a pastor and so everything Thanksgiving before we eat we go around the table sharing what we are thankful for. The first year that I had Thanksgiving with my husband’s family I remember everyone sharing all these beautiful things and I was just so emotion filled that all I could say was “family” and was trying my hardest not to cry. A few years have passed and my husband’s siblings have kids and it is a lot of fun to hear what they have to say.
Last year we were in Haiti and celebrated with several missionary friends in a country that didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving it was a true blessing to be able to share our American holiday with other Americans who understood that it wasn’t just about the turkey or football but is about being thankful to God and the things that he is blessed us with whether we lived in a Third World country or a first world country
One of my most treasured Thanksgiving memories was when I was in high school and my family went camping with another family over Thanksgiving. Neither family had much and it was super cold but we had the most incredible weekend. And it was the first time I had fried turkey which was made in a garbage can and it was the most delicious turkey I’ve ever had!
my Favorite memory of Thanksgiving is this and its that I was born on thanksgiving
and last year I turned 50 and my friend gave me a 50 th birthday party that was a fun one for me . thats a great memory to have for thanksgiving and just being with my family cause who knows how many more I will have with my mom now Im thankful for for my family
Love these items. My most favorite memory is when my husband let the family know about our expecting another child as he was saying the blessing before the meal. There was a silence before each one got what he said. Then the excitement and congratulations!
The past couple of Thanksgivings have been super special because I have passed around our Thankful journal. Each person at our table writes what they are thankful for. What a blessing to go back and read them later!
I hosted Thanksgiving a few years ago and used cut out leaves from colored construction paper and had my kids tie them on tree branches for our centerpiece. Upon arrival all the guests took one leaf and wrote what they were grateful for and hung it back on the tree. Before we ate, each guest read a leaf out loud and we guessed who wrote it!
I’m always grateful for the ability to spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately my husband and I have moved alot and rarely get to spend Thanksgiving with family. The most special Thanksgivings are ones I remember being able to visit my parents and my in-laws, my sister and her family, all the kids running around, football on TV, my mom bustling around the kitchen making everyone’s favorites, my grandpa (who is now passed) sitting in a chair wacking people with a cane, and my grandmother (also now passed) yelling directions into the kitchen 🙂 our chaotic, often time crazy, perfect family gatherings 🙂
Thanksgiving in my home growing up was always bringing the whole family together for a very special meal of yummy foods that you don’t normally have throughout the year. Since getting married 10 years ago and now having 3 children, we look at Thanksgiving a little differently. After moving a few times for my husband’s job, we have always been “away” from immediate family, so now we usually stay home on Thanksgiving day and I always fix at least one special dish from each side of the family so that it feels like we are all together. Plus we always take a time to remember who/what we are thankfully for and give thanks to the Lord for our blessings!
She was visiting home from college, while I was still in high school and lived at home with our parents.
She looked so beautiful in a hot pink wrap-around silk top and a blushed lipstick to match, but I was so-so bothered by the wine glass in her hand that she held tight at her bosom while laughing like nobody noticed.
She was under-age.
She continued on to make fun of my dinner rolls after the guests had complimented them, so I told her that they will start to look better to her if she kept on drinking like she was…
She threw the wine in my face, slammed it down on the kitchen counter and broke it, and I knew to take an exit.
I spent thanksgiving dinner in my car in the church parking lot, wiping raindrops from the windshield and tears from my eyes.
Alcohol would take her life twenty five years later. One place setting at our Thanksgiving table sets empty.
Find thanks in your storms, and thanks in your healing. Each day is so precious; you are so very precious in His sight.
I love you.
I have so many favorite memories from Thanksgiving but the one that stands out the most has to do with my Grandmommy. Grandmommy was my mom’s mother and the most sweet, reserved little southern preacher’s wife you would ever meet. She let my Granddaddy lead everywhere and through every situation … except the kitchen! That woman knew more about southern cooking than I can ever hope to understand. Every year for about 6 – I held a meal and fellowship time at my house for my friends the weekend before Thanksgiving. Every year, I would call my Grandmommy to update myself and review her recipes that I would use for the upcoming party. She would go through each one of them with me with the same patience and love that I had come to remember and cherish. Last year was the first year that I was unable to make that phone call because she passed away unexpectedly in August 2012. That wonderful woman will always be my inspiration as I move toward marriage and motherhood. She will forever be a part of my Thanksgiving traditions!
the thanksgiving after 9/11– we were gathered together with my husband’s side of the family…every single one of us was deeply moved by the significance of family being together and safe from harm…lots of tears! followed by a beautiful time of fellowship and appreciation for one another.
Live the napkin ties. Great idea for Thanksgiving dinner share time.
Those are both so beautiful! My most treasured Thanksgiving memories were all those spent with my grandma. She passed away last year, and her fun loving spirit will be missed around the table.
Each thanksgiving is filled with some of it’s own best memories. I look forward to each year as we celebrate around the table with a very blessed family
Too many wonderful Thanksgiving weekend memories to pick ‘favorite’, as we visited Alabama grandparents from our home in GA. On Thursday we would gather @ my paternal Grands: men outside playing pranks & telling tales from childhood on each other, as ladies were busy in the kitchen making sure all was warm at the same time. Us kids would play in the barn and build tunnels/mazes with hay bales. Hide ‘n seek, singing w/ the piano, of course our ‘BLESSING’ usually said by my daddy. (Grandmother’s appointing of who said it.) then dig in, find a chair, sofa, step outside, or anywhere to eat! The teenage girls (sisters & me) were dishwasher duty! I’m sure the ladies sorted food & divided that to share. I remember there seemed to never be an end to the dirty dishes! At my Maternal Grand-ma’s house, things were stiff (alcoholic behaviors overshadowed the atmosphere). Men watched the football games on TV, ladies in the kitchen, kids picking up pecans, or playing ‘beauty shop’… However we always had a blessing led by one of the ‘believing’ men. Different but still blessed by 2 Matriarchs who loved their families, and wanted the day to be the best! I do miss them very much…
I love all the decorations….what beautiful blessings.
Most memorable or unmemorable…..my aunt was hosting Thanksgiving and left the thawed stuffed turkery on the counter in the roasted when she went to bed so she could get up at 4:00 am to put in oven……when she got up she found the roasted and particially eaten turkery on the floor. Her dog decided he was hungry. Notbsurevwherevthe turkeybthat we hadbfor dinnerbcame about only that we did have one.
By far my favorite memory is of my three young elementary age kiddos reading “Give thanks to The Lord” Psalms before we ate. It was beautiful.
I love those decoration ideas! I love Thanksgiving…I am a military wife and so not always close to “home” for the holidays, we have spent Thanksgiving with family when we can go “home”,it’s been just our little family in our own home,also with friends we make where we are at the time, a coulple timea at our home with friends and single soldiers we invite, and many more, but the one I love most is 2009 Thanksgiving, when we were going to have it in our own home by ourselves, I prepared everything…except we didn’t stay home, we put everything in our van and drove two hours to have Thanksgiving dinner with my brother-in-law and his wife who were in the hospital because of pregnancy complications…that year we had Thanksgiving at a hospital keeping family company(they to we’re military and far from home) giving thanks to God for the opportunity to bless someone on such special day.
We started a Thanksgiving journal years ago. Every year anyone who graces us with their presence is invited to share their heart and what they are thankful for. When we take down our Fall boxes to decorate our home I love to look at this book and recall who we have spent precious time with and what they have shared. I love seeing our 4 kids writing over the years too. It is truly a treasure.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday so it is hard to pick one. But the first one that came to my mind was in 1996. My mom had always hosted Thanksgiving in their tiny cape cod, sometimes as many as 40 people crammed in every available spot. But by 1990 at the age of 81 her health had deteriorated to the point that each of her three daughters (I am the youngest) started having Thanksgiving in their own homes with just their kids and grandchildren. We all took turns having them in our homes for the day. But by 1996 she was bedridden and unable to leave home. We knew it would be her last Thanksgiving on earth. So my family prepared food and carried it to their home, setting the table with their best china. We gathered around the table, our five sons, our daughter-in-law, the girlfriend (to be his wife two years later), my mother-in-law, my dad, husband and I to give thanks and enjoy fellowship. There was much laughter as the girls and I did last minute preparations in the kitchen, trying to keep my dad out of “his” kitchen. It was a wonderful day for my dad who was now loving caretaker of my mom and was unable to get out with family as much as he would like. I still remember my oldest son bending over my mom and telling her he loved her. It seemed she didn’t even know we were there but somehow I think she was joining us in spirit as she had for so many years in body. (I also wonder if she was a little irritated about what we were doing in “her” kitchen!)
I’ve learned so much from past Thanksgivings, from those fond childhood memories when dad would buy too big a turkey to fit our oven & had to be flattened to fit & mom baking 9 pies & countless rolls from scratch to feed total of about 24 family members(no contributions from other family members). Years later family would come to my house & I’d not buy turkey but capon. My family. I learned to pass around the blessing of getting others to help cook. But those that didn’t, love to clean! Thank you Lord! In 1972, my mom had a dehabilitating stroke on Thanksgiving Day so Thanksgiving brings back memories of her. One Thanksgiving I was cooking for my family & my sister- in-law & her daughter when stove caught on fire so we counted our blessings that home didn’t burn down & all were safe as we loaded up dinner & drove the 25 miles to her home to finish cooking the bird & trimmings, Many Thanksgiving mornings were spent at church praising God in morning and sometimes church family eating together. Then my eldest granddaughter was born on Thanksgiving morning and my daughter checked themselves out of the hospital because she wasn’t going to eat hospital food on Thanksgiving! Now in my autumn of life I find that the baton has passed and Thanksgiving is at my daughter’s house where we give thanks to The Lord and each other. I (selfishly) enjoy Thanksgiving for other reasons–not only do we celebrate my granddaughter ‘s birthday but mine as well since it’s 5 days later. Secularly, since I was brought up on football, I love the parades and football games, throw in autumn scents of fires, spices from pumpkin pie, colorful mums and one can’t help but delight in God’s and human creations.
~~~ As a child growing up in Pennsyylvania I would wake up to the smells of the turkey starting to cook low and slow. The celery , butter, onions being prepared for the dressing. The kitchen windows are steamed up due to the cold weather outside and the warm cozy kitchen. Even today I can have Thanksgiving in my heart with all or some of these memories.
My favorite thanksgiving memory is 2010. We had my whole family of 15 plus ppl at our house. It was my dad’s last one as he went unexpectedly to be with the Lord that next April. He loved a day when we each shared our thanks and got lots of time to eat, play games, laugh, talk, and eat 🙂 He’s greatly missed…
Celebrating at my aunt’s house every year, eating great food, and playing with my cousins!!
When I was young(er) I loved Thanksgiving because my older sisters would come home from college. I loved having them back home! I still enjoy Thanksgiving as a time when our family gathers around the table and spends the day relaxing with each other.
I love fall and have many dear memories over the years! You said “treasured memory”. So mine would be a childhood memory, our last with my daddy. I was 10 yes old, (now in my 50’s). Daddy was young, just turned 34 that month. And he and momma cooked for us together, for holidays. The smells of early morning cooking of the feast we’d later enjoy, woke us. So much love and laughter they shared for each other. We were so Happy…and simply time of life. Happy times, good food and playing games. Yet, this year daddy didn’t help mommy so much, as in past. As he was sick. Being young, us children didn’t know or understand how sick. As our parents protected us from such things. Not quite 2 weeks later daddy was put in hospital. His heart was very bad, had been for yrs.
You see this IS Most Treasured Memory. Because it’s the last Happy one of my daddy with us. We never seen him alive again, when ambulance took him. He past at hospital few weeks later.
Love and miss him very much! We grow up, but in many ways…. when we lose a parent as a child, part of us (@ heart) remains and longs for that Lil girl who was.
My favorite memories are when my grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins all lived in the same small town and our Thanksgiving celebration was just an extension of the fellowship we shared all year long. Those memories are more precious now as we are old(er) and scattered and my children don’t know that kind of family relationship. We have created out own traditions and memories, but I miss the absoluteness of those early years!
I love Thanksgiving! I have lots to be thankful for and people’ moods seem to be brighter around this time. My most memorable one was a Thanksgiving several years ago my dad and brother were passengers in a vehicle rollover due to ice. They all walked away with nothing or just a scratch. God was truly protecting them!
I love this idea, we usually make paper leaves to write thanks on but these are beautiful
Over the years during holidays we have liked to search out people who have no family near, or who will be alone…it always enriches our day and has taught our children (now 17, 19, 21 & 23) hospitality and how blessed we are by others when reaching out. I guess a tangible memory, would be the smiles on my kids (middle school age) faces several years ago when we first implemented our annual pie baking contest. They had to find a recipe, gather ingredients, hand make their own crust…it has become a tradition, and we have been treated to many different pies over the years…
Oh wow where to start lol. I don’t know if it would be when we (my husband and I newly married I might add) lived in Seattle we did not have any family in the area and he was in the Navy so I thought what a great time to spend with others that are in the same “boat”. My husband was stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln an aircraft carrier. Anyways I told Chris (hubby) to find people on the ship that would need somewhere to go for Thanksgiving and bring them home with him. It was one of the most amazing Thanksgivings we have ever had. We opened our door at noon and we “closed” it at about 8pm I think we had about 20 in and out all day.
It is not a memory- it is a HOPE for an amazing memory for this Thanksgiving! I was recently SAVED and will be celebrating with a baptism that I am purposely having at Thanksgiving- because I am so very thankful! My prayer that I ask with all of my heart, is that God blesses us with a miracle of my boyfriend being saved also, so that we can actually share a baptism together, a marriage together, for many Thanksgivings together, and most importantly, SALVATION together!
On the spur of the moment my family and I decided to take a 10 hour trip in dubious weather to visit my family in another state. We totally surprised my family and enjoyed the holiday eating, playing and reminiscing. The following March my mother passed away. We know that God put in our hearts to make this visit and spend our last Thanksgiving together! What a blessing!!!
Our Thanksgivings have been different over the years — sometimes small and intimate, sometimes wall-to-wall with extended family and guests. But, consistently over the years, two of my favorite traditions are 1) having all present share what they are thankful for or how God has answered specific prayers during the past year, 2) and inviting someone who is far from home or loved ones to join our family for the day.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is being crammed into my Grandparent’s small dining room with ALL of the family present. It was perfect!
My most treasured Thanksgiving was the year my Grandfather passed away. He passed away on November 9th. Grandpa was the spiritual rock for our whole family. The one to give the family prayer on get togethers. The one to carve the turkey in the masterful way he would always do. The one to give huge bear hugs to all of us as we were welcomed into their home making us feel like we were so loved and cherished. This was the first Thanksgiving without him. We placed paper tablecloths on each table and had everyone write a message to Grandpa as we sat and enjoyed our Thanksgiving as much as we could that year. It helped us to focus on the memories of him and to be grateful for all the times each of us had. And that is what Thanksgiving is all about. Being thankful. It was an incredibly healing day filled with a lot of tears and a l of love and most of all, a lot of thankful memories.
I love going around the circle of family, holding hands and saying what we’re thankful for♥
My favorite thanksgiving memories come from my adolescent years. My parents were transplants to the Baltimore/ Washington metro area with no family within 700 miles. They would always invite other families from our church and neighborhood that were also without family to our house for Thanksgiving Dinner. The kids would run and play outside until dinner and then we would all sit down to dinner. Since my mom did not have a formal dining room she would bring in the picnic table to the family room, set up card tables alongside the dinner table and picnic table. She always made special table arrangements and place cards. It was what community was about sharing and giving thanks together!
I love these ideas! We have a hand carved stone with the Shema! I love having the reminder that God is ever present in our daily living!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Giving thanks & praise to God for EVERYTHING in my life; His saving grace, my family, all my material blessings and yes, even my trials in life. The trials bring me closer to Him & remind me that He is always there. My favorite memories are the years after my mother could no longer host the family Thanksgiving meal & I started hosting. I just loved having all my family gathered together in my home. Now we have moved a 1,000 miles away & gather with new friends instead, which is nice, but the family gatherings were such a blessing.
In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. In 1994, on October 10th, my first child, Daniel, was born. He has been a blessing every day & Thanksgiving since!
As a young, newly married with babies in tow those first few years…lots of BIG Thanksgiving dinners with extended in-laws, always about 30-60 in attendance…the pool table covered and converted to the dining room table / buffet… the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Football game on all the tv’s…and the pecans we had picked up out of the yard, cracked patiently all Fall, and then baked into goodies (pecan pies included), Uncle Don’s thanksgiving prayer over the meal, and watching Dad S and Uncle Don – fall asleep, with belts loosened and full, on opposite ends of the couch – while ALL of the ladies were in the kitchen cleaning up and dividing up the goodies left to send home with each family. How I miss those days… .family life has changed incredibly, many have gone on to be with the Lord…families have divorced.
I remember this ~ GOD is still God, and HE is worthy of our THANKS AND PRAISE.
Hugs~
My most cherished Thanksgiving memory is being toasted by my oldest daughter during the last Thanksgiving dinner our immediate family spent together. She died the following Sunday in a car wreck.
Thank you for your ministry and the giveaway! I have cherished all Thanksgivings spent with family.
Sorry, I love this idea and “stole” it and put in on my FB page. Here’s what I wrote:
Let’s not wait…let’s do this now.
1. I’m warm – I have a home.
2. I have pictures of my family around my desk.
3. I see a checkbook with our names on it – I have SOME $$.
4. I see a frame with postcards that my parents bought me in Switzerland showing scenes from a book that I got when I was a child from a great aunt in Switzerland.
5. I see bookcases filled with several Bibles and various textbooks and interests.
I’d say I’m blessed! Now, it’s your turn. 5 things that you see right now.
These are lovely. Thank You for sharing!
Found a website that carries them along with the wreath!
Untie Your Story Vintage Ribbon
http://shop.familylife.com/p-3325-untie-your-story.aspx
this year we will be sharing a special thanksgiving, God willing, with our new Tanzania student. we are her community family. these would give us oodles to talk about around our table and we’d all be blessed from the sharing.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory was when we thought mom was not going to make it to November. She had been ill and was having physical difficulty with what seemed “everything “; so we had Thanksgiving dinner in the month of July. Can I just Praise Him!!! Mom is still with us today she’s 87 now ;)!!!
Love going to the Oak Glen apple orchards in Southern CA with family and friends. Crisp air, shopping, apple pie, petting zoo, etc. Usually part of our Thanksgiving weekend memory making!
I love the fall and it come to a peak with Thanksgiving. Although things are extremely difficult now, thanking God daily makes me wealthy. Being able to share our thanks with family and friends is a great way to worship and praise the Lord!
My most precious memory of Thanksgiving is when my husband and I were engaged. We had the whole family over for thanksgiving, we even had friends over. It was such a special moment, it has not happened since.
What I do when I set the table is put down a white tablecloth and color markers. As our family comes in, they get to leave their message and name..-when I lost my mom and brother in the same year two years ago–I will always have their last Thanksgiving message to our families. Thanksgving was always my mom ‘s best get together…
Loved the article and fall creations. You have many talents and many blessings that you shared. Thank you!!!
It was a long time before I could consider this a treasured memory, in fact – Thanksgiving was very hard to celebrate for several years after, but my treasured memory is walking my grandfather to the Lord early one Thanksgiving morning. I was the only family in the state at the time and had to make the decision to turn the machines off. But I told him we would make sure to take care of my grandmother and he squeezed my hand before he stopped breathing. I spent a few years wishing I didn’t have to have that memory, but now I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m so thankful to the Lord for it.
Our Thanksgivings are always special as our entire family gathers together to enjoy each others company and remind everyone what we are so very thankful for. The ones I remember most were the ones spent with my Grandmother…she was the best cook in the whole world (I learned from her) and she always went all out on Thanksgiving…she kept with traditions and since she has gone to heaven my Mother has since started her own new traditions which are also awesome and we will remember her by them but nothing compares nor will ever compare to holidays with my Grandma. I am so blessed to have had her in my life.
Until I read this book “Thanksgiving (A FamilyLife Book) A Time to Remember” by
Barbara Rainey, I didn’t realize how much Christianity was actually in Thanksgiving. I had never heard this great story, only the ones they teach in school. So this was about 10 years ago & it made that Thanksgiving mean so much more, brought so much more to my thoughts of how they actually lived & died back then. It’s a must read for all!!
My most treasured Thanksgiving memories were those spent with my Grandma. Standing shyly in the corner of the kitchen doorway, I’d watch her strong arms relentlessly rolling the dough for pies. Ingredients for our bountiful feast strategically spread across the kitchen table and counters created a kaleidoscope backdrop for her culinary creation . A light dusting of soft, white flour covered the floor around one side of the table and around her ever-nylon-covered feet. The apron she wore around her waist could barely contain the drops and splatters of what always promised to be a divine meal filled with laughter, stories of Thanksgivings past, and sighs from full bellies. She’d always softly call me in to help, although my inexperience surely slowed her down. Later, her smile would shine with great pleasure at her family’s enjoyment of the meal she laid out with love. My greatest and fondest memories flood back to my mind at each year’s first whiff of Thanksgiving turkey as I remember going to her side as she rested from her long day of work & love. The feeling of this woman of God’s gentle yet strong arms around me as I buried my cheek in her shoulder made each Thanksgiving complete!
A few days before one Thanksgiving, my sister and I went with our Mom (who was raising us on her own since our father left us so he could continue the drug and alcohol filled life he preferred) to a building in downtown Tampa, Florida. Mom worked 3 jobs but there wasn’t much left after the bills were paid, so we had nothing to make for our Thanksgiving Dinner. In the building was a desk where Mom signed a paper and spoke to a lady. The lady went through a door and came back with a big box containing a canned ham and a bunch of other food. I’m sure she could tell that Mom was embarrassed to have to ask for the help, but she made no comment on it. She asked how we were going to be for Christmas and Mom started to cry, and the lady took us to the back and gave us another box of food, saying it was to help us between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then she signed us up for a box of food and toys for Christmas and told Mom when to come back for them. That year was the only year Mom had to ask for help, thankfully. It was also one of the most meager holidays we ever had, but it meant so much that there were people out there willing to help when we needed it that it turned out to be one of the most touching holiday seasons I’ve ever had. It showed me you don’t have to have much to be thankful for what you DO have.
My best memory of Thanksgiving is one when extended family (many have passed away now) all got together at my Aunt’s home. We had so much fun, lots of laughter and fun that day! Nowadays, our family is divided and we don’t get together. Many don’t even speak. It breaks my heart and I long for the days when we all got together and had such fun, making memories.
My favorite thanksgiving year was the year my sister and I chose to make place cards with cornucopias made out of bugles and trix cereal (which we never had to actually eat!). I think we ate more than we glued. And we may or may not have had a little glue with what we ate. Thanks Lysa!
Every thanksgiving starts with the Macy’s parade on TV and the smell of the turkey cooking. Everyone gathers around the table with a thankful before dinner.
My most wonderful Thanksgiving memory was back in 2003. I was 19 and my husband was 21. We had saved every dime we had to buy our house that September on our own. For Thanksgiving that year we barely had a dime to our name but we managed to pull off a Thanksgiving Dinner and share it with family and friends. That year and many years after taking in 4 siblings, starting our own family, and inviting friends and family over our house was the place to come for togetherness. Every year, barely any money but lots of love and good food. Money is not everything. All the riches in the world won’t matter when you have no one to share it with. After 9 years of being married, this is the first year since being relocated to Charlotte we won’t have family and friends. Ironic because we are not as broke as we have been in years past. With no family here other than us and our boys we are a bit sad but are reminded of how God has blessed him and I because we were always so giving even when we barley had anything.
Lysa Terkuerst is such a wonderful influential woman!
One of my most thankful time are growing up thinking as a child that this time was with family only which i did not have at the time ,now that I am grow i have learned that the people around was not only my family but the blessing god have given me. So i’m thankful to learn this
When I was growing up, Thanksgiving was always a time for family gatherings, getting to see seldom seen family members and playing outside, playing in the leaves… But I never truly appreciated how much time with family meant until I moved 6000 miles away and for 17 years was not with an extended family. In 1996 we moved “back home” and spent Thanksgiving with all the family again.
10 years ago this Nov. 3rd, our daughter, Leah, had a bone marrow transplant at Children’s in DC. We were told to expect to be in the hospital at least a month, but our desire was to be home for Thanksgiving. The Lord heard our cry and answered our prayer, and we brought Leah home 2 days before Thanksgiving. We had several other brief hospital stays over the next couple of months, but we will never forget our God answered our desire to all be together as a family to celebrate His faithfulness.
Leah is now 13, in 9th grade, and thriving. She has many late effects from 2 years of chemo, radiation, the transplant, and graft vs. host disease, but her favorite verse is Jer. 29:11. She believes, as we know, that God has an amazing plan and purpose for her life.
She will be celebrating her 10th rebirthday this year at a Toby Mac concert with some friends. Praise the Lord!!!
I really enjoyed taking our son to a Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Houston a couple years ago. Though the parade didn’t turn out to be that amazing, it was fun going to one live and making a big deal of it for him. I loved seeing the reactions on his face more than any of the antics themselves.
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is going into labor for my daughter. This year she turns 8 on Thanksgiving Day 🙂
We would just LOVE the wreath and napkin holders. They would be such wonderful additions to our table! My favorite Thanksgiving was, without a doubt, Thanksgiving of 2000. That was my first Thanksgiving as a Christian and as a wife. I’ll never forget the experience of making that first Thanksgiving feast for my in-laws (we married on Oct 15, so they were very NEW). I was so excited and terrified! But what I remember even more was how overcome I was with gratitude to my Lord and Savior who had rescued me from darkness and bondage only 10 months before. It was the most wonderful Thanksgiving. Words just can not capture the joy and beauty and excitement of that day!
My most treasured memories of Thanksgiving are when the family would talk about the things they are thankful. We all have a little different take on some of the same things that we remember. Amazing!
I have too many sweet memories of Thanksgiving to pick just one! I love all of the memories I have of going to my grandparents while growing up, and now we’re making new memories with our family as they grow. I would love to have the napkin holders to use with my family!
My most treasured memories were with my parents and in-laws when they were both living. We all gathered at one home or the other & the smells were wonderful and tantalizing the senses as both my mom and mom-in-law were great cooks. [I was blessed with a great mom-in-law, too] What was one’s specialty -another one may lack, the other one made up the difference. It was not go to this home or the another for the holidays as some do it now…we did it as one family unit so we could all enjoy God’s bounty of family in gratitude and thanksfulness..Miss this so much..blessings.
Both items are very beautiful, and should make a great addition to any home. 🙂
I’m German, and still kinda new to this holiday (married an American and moved over here). So my memories are still in the making, so to speak… but I instantly fell in love with this holiday! My husband likes to tease me about this being my favorite holiday! 😉
I love these ideas and all the special memories posted! My favorite Thanksgiving memories are from childhood, as many others are, but also the first Thanksgivings I shared with my husband and two beautiful babies. I waited all my life for all of them, and I’m so grateful that they’re finally here!
My most memorable thanksgiving moment was when I spent the week of thanksgiving getting the news that my mothers cancer was back. My head just dropped, and all I could hear is my whole family take a deep breathe, and then I began to hear the sound of crying. For the of the rest of the week all I could do is just think of how much time I had left to spend with her. For the first time I would not cook thanksgiving, for my own family instead I would spend it in the hospital helping my sibling by taking shifts to care for my mother. My mother didn’t want to be alone. I know that may not be such a good memorable time but it was for me because my mothers and my relationship was not close from the age 13-mid 30’s. We began to speak more often one year before she was diagnosed with caner for the first time 2007. I would read the bible to her I would prayer for her when she was sleeping, and I would play worship music for her. Even though she was sleeping or not feeling up to hearing me, the silence as just as special to me and I would just look at her beautiful face. Before her passing on April 5 2011, I have kept one last very memorable moment in my heart that her and I shared, I bent over and kissed her fore head and looked her in the eye and said, mom Jesus loves you. She gave me this big smile and said I know. After that I knew Jesus was with her. Since her passing I have not really been that enthusiastic to cook thanksgiving dinner like I use to with the hole shebang. What my own family is use to having and I’m sure they miss. I would love to surprise them with the whole shebang once again. The wreath and the napkin ties would be a start.
It has been a wonderful joy for me to set our Thanksgiving table for 27 years of marriage. Each year I bring out my Great Grandmother Maude’s crocheted table cloth, my husband’s Grandma Sophie’s silver and my Grandmother Lillian’s dishes. Our three children grew up with this tradition and enjoyed and appreciated hearing stories about these women that are part of their heritage. We have had a few lonely Thanksgivings as the kids have gone off to college and not been able to come home BUT the tradition of the table setting has lived on and been a great comforted for my missing loved ones on a day we count them as blessings!
I would love to have these napkins ties for Thanksgiving. Every year I host at my house and I have at least 20 people from all families! This was my mother’s favorite holiday and has become mine also. My mother passed away 25 years ago but it seems like it never goes away, always in spirit. With love!
My favorite Thanksgiving memory is the same one every year. My grandma making the main meal. She just wanted to do it all by her self for 26 people and growing! When she passed away in ’07 it just hasn’t been the same. After all, Mothers are always the glue to the family.
Our children lived in another state and Thanksgiving was our holiday. They would always spend it with us. They all moved here and the tradition continues.Thanksgiving at moms house, always a blessing.
My favorite Thanksgiving memories are more like feelings really. Being at my grandmothers while she made homemade biscuits, potato salad served warm, and how she always had cookies in her apple shaped cookie jar. My dad and granddad had been out hunting all morning and would come in smelling like cold outside and a little gun powdery, all filthy wearing orange stocking caps. Grandma would send them to the basement to clean up. We would all squeeze in her little kitchen and give thanks. After supper we would turn on the redskins game and look at catalogs ( grandma always had a huge pile of catalogs) while granddaddy would “rest his eyes.” Makes me feel comfort and happy just thinking about it. Grandma and Granddaddy are both celebrating in Glory at the best party this year and for many years prior. We still make the potato salad in her honor and serve it warm. Love you grandma!
I love these great ideas! We are going through a very difficult time in our home and counting blessings each day. This is a great way to praise Him through the storm. Thanks for sharing!
I so love your “Leave Him Thanks” wreath. The meaning of being “Thankful” is taken for granted these days. I love your idea for sharing as a family and with friends of why were thankful and expressing same.
It is truly a blessing to be able to read everyones comments about praising our God with thanks for everything we have. We are all blessed as a nation to be able to receive, to give and share love, to invite others into our homes who have little or none, people who don’t know the true meaning of Thanksgiving, who haven’t experienced what we should be thankful for. I’m extremely thankful for his presence in my life, simply because if I didn’t I’d be lost.
I love that wreath! Thanks for sharing!
My favourite memory would probably be of the last Thanksgiving that we celebrated when my dad was still alive.
Thanksgiving day has been a bit unusual for our family. My first husband passed away in 1992 on Christmas Day and my son turned 17 on the 6th of January 1993. We never celebrated the holidys for several years and in 2001 my son moved to Atlanta Georgia area. I stilled lived in Missouri. Still feeling empty on Thanksgiving day. Now for the first time in several years my husband now and I have also moved to Georgia in September 2013 where we are united with family to have dinners and get to celebrate the holidays. And we have a 4 month old grand baby. God is so good.
I love the wreath!!! Thanks!!!
When my baby girl was 16, we were faced with a life threatening illness. My husband and I heard those dreaded words that no parent ever wants to hear; “If she makes it 48 hours, she might have a chance.” On Thanksgiving Day, 2005, we passed that 48 hour barrier, and after long battle, she was able to recover, despite the doctors warnings that if she did recover she would be brain dead or lose her arms and legs. God gave us our most memorable Thanksgiving Day in His mercy and grace.
My most treasured Thanksgiving memory happened about two Thanksgivings ago. We had the traditional Thanksgiving dinner at our home as the senior parents/grandparents.
What a surprise and joy it was to have family show up that we hadn’t seen in years and to see infant relatives we had never seen except via facebook. What a joy and one blessing too was that the Lord multiplied the food! We planned for eleven people and ended up feeding almost twenty people. Wow talk about God multiplying the food. He did it for us with tons of leftovers. Yep that has to be my most memorable Thanksgiving ever in the Yates’ household thus far. Thank you Lord for family and friends far and near.
My most precious Thanksgiving I would like to share whether chosen for the lovely gift or not is a dear memory of mine that I will cherish forever. After many long seasons of moving up and down and place to place as a young mom of three children we were always going to others houses for thanksgiving. And although we were always blessed with invitations there was nothing like having your own home to have thanksgiving cooking and laughter around the table. January 2012 The Lord blessed me with a husband and that thanksgiving was the first time I could open my house to others and offer back what was only given to me love and open doors. That will always be the most precious memory for me. Not a day goes by that I don’t praise god for what he blessed me with I finally had a home of my own for me and my children.
Two thanksgivings ago I decided to host dinner for my very large family into my small house so we were cozy. I also love to cook and bake and decided to make everything in my also small kitchen instead of doing potluck. What made it special was my husband worked all day so my grandmother and great grandmother (she was 92) came over to help with making stuff and keeping the dishes cleaned. It was so special and everyone including me wanted to make that our yearly tradition including my grandmothers they loved it! The next thanksgiving I was 8 months pregnant so I decided to forego but planned to continue the following year. My great grandmother we all called her memere got horribly sick that thanksgiving and died the day after Christmas which is the day my daughter was born. So now when I look back at that time it was so special to spend the day with my grandma and memere making food and memories!! Little did I know that she wouldn’t be around much longer to spend time with but so glad for the 93 years we did get with her!!
Lysa, the Words just prior to what you quote from Deut. 6 are known as the Shema, Deut. 4:4-6, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” These word are foundational to the Jewish people.
I think one of my fondest memories of Thanksgiving is spending it with my cousin and his family in NC (I live in VA). I went down on Tues. night after work, and his wife and I cooked all day on Wed. Then on Thursday, we had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends at their house. I spent the entire weekend with them and we had the best time together.
My favourite memory is that Thanksgiving is where all of our family would gather and we would eat in the formal dining room. As kids we were not allowed to eat in there and would sit in the kitchen at the “kids” table, it was my brother and 2 cousins and I. When you got to be a certain age you got to go and sit with the adults. Since I was the oldest I was the first, man was I excited about that! The china, silverware, fancy glasses, it all just made the turkey taste that much better! It was a bit of a right of passage growing up.
After being told I would not live until Thanksgiving in 2004 due to major complications from diabetes, I woke up on that wonderful Thanksgiving truly being thankful for everyone and everything in my life. Now it is 2013 and everyday is Thanksgiving because not only am I alive, I am now working full time and have four beautiful grandchildren I enjoy everyday. God is so merciful and gracious. He continues to bless me each day.
Hi everyone,
I have never done anything like this before…but here I go, because I want to and I’m able…praise God.
I can honestly say that I don’t believe I have ever had a wonderful Thanksgiving. There may have been one that was slightly a little nicer than an other but growing up in an abusive home then marrying an abusive man, I tryed to make it as nice as I possibly could for my daughters, but it never was the way I would hope or dreamed for my girls. One year after my divorce, my younger daughter, Sasha and I used a good portion of our food stamps to buy turkeys for a local mission. That was very nice and rewarding for both of us.
Due to many years of suicidal thoughts and attempts, i recently was hospitalized again and now upon my discharge, i feel closer to the Lord, then i have in some time. I am looking forward to spending this Thanksgiving with Sasha,my son-in-law, Andy, and my two beautiful granbabies, Justice, 3yrs.and Hudson, 1 1/2yrs. old. i thank our Lord for so many chances, His mercy and grace. It’s as though i am a cat, with nine lives, 7 x 70!!!! Thank you for allowing me to share.
Sincerely,and in Jesus name, love, Debbie, Rochester, New York
A blessing was rarely given at our Thanksgiving table. So, two years ago while God was leading me to speak out and reveal my growing faith, I took a courageous step and surprised everyone with a few words of Thanksgiving. About 20 words into the blessing, my dad loudly interrupted and asked when we all could eat? As my face flushed with embarrassment, I finished quickly and then excused myself to recover gracefully. What made this event my “favorite” memory was what happened next. As I returned to my place at the table, my 20 year old son who does not easily share his feelings, leaned over, gently touched my shoulder and whispered, “I love you, Mom.”
Very creative! Although I can’t totally relate to this but I am sure women would love to have this in their homes. I think I know to whom I should recommend this post 😉 Thanks!
I feel like my life is falling apart. My marriage is falling apart.
I love all the decorations but my favorite are the napkin ties. Since they are all sold out on the website would you mind listing what all the questions are that are typed on them so I can try to make some of my own? Thank you for sharing these great ideas!