Thanksgiving Traditions

I just love the week of Thanksgiving.. Growing up, family started arriving a few days before the big day, and the festivities lasted all week long. Now that I'm an adult, I'm blessed to have married into a fun-loving in-law family. So, the celebrations doubled after I joined the Metz family. My husband, Michael, and I go back and forth every year between family celebrations. His family lives about 6 hours from us in Michigan and we typically travel there, but this year we hopped a plane to Louisiana to celebrate Thanksgiving with his parents and extended family (grandparents, aunts, and uncles, etc.) in the deep south! So, since we are out of town I prepared a few blog posts ahead of time for the holiday week. Today I'm sharing some of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions I've enjoyed over the years. Outfit details are linked at the bottom of the post.

1. Peeling Potatoes with Cousins the Night Before Thanksgiving
Growing up, my best friend and cousin Julianna always came to stay for Thanksgiving. We always got the duty of peeling potatoes the night before. Sometimes others would join in and help. We usually had somewhere around 20-30 for dinner, so it was no small task! Lots of laughs and fun times were had around a giant pile of potato peelings.

3. Reading all the Black Friday Ads Before Dinner
Back before technology took over the world, the ladies would make sure to pick up a newspaper early Thanksgiving morning (or send the men to get one) and spread the ads all over the coffee table, and floor etc. and read all the ads together! So fun!

2. Singing before Thanksgiving Dinner
We usually have a lot of family at my parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. My dad always led us in the Doxology/Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow before we ate dinner. Coming from a musical family, it was so fun to harmonize with all of my cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents. It never fails to bring lots of tears to our eyes and help us realize how truly blessed we are!


4. Going Around the Room Telling What We're Thankful For
In the years when we had smaller gatherings, we always went around the room and listed what we were most thankful for. This is a tradition my husband's family also shares. I love how our families put an emphasis on the real meaning of Thanksgiving.

5. Games After Dinner
My family played games here and there over the years, but when I married into the Metz family is when this tradition really started. My husband's family is all about the laughter and games and they always play games in the evening after dinner.

6. Black Friday Shopping
I'm mostly an online shopper these days, but I do enjoy getting out in the hustle and bustle. My sister Brooklyn, Julianna, and I usually go out for at least a few hours late on Thanksgiving night. One year when MP3 players had just been released, Julianna, Brooklyn, me, and my Aunt Michele waited in line outside in the cold for a long while and when we got to the front counter the last one was sold right in front of our eyes. We still laugh about that one and say we'll never do that again! HA! We usually end the night with a trip to White Castle for cheeseburgers, mozzarella sticks, and Big Red! The perfect way to top off our healthy Thanksgiving cuisine. ;)

7. Family Time
All the activities and traditions are always so much fun, but I think my favorite Thanksgiving tradition of all is just spending time with family talking and catching up. I am so grateful for the family and friends I am blessed to have in my life.

What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?

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I'm loving this cable knit pumpkin colored cardigan! It's so thick and cozy! It's a one size fits all... I normally don't buy anything that is OSFA, but this cardigan was too cute. I was so surprised with the way it fit when I got it in the mail. It looks adorable on. I would say it would fit sizes 4-12. They also have it in several different colors. My boots are on sale for about 50% off and they are so high quality. I got them for a Christmas gift last year. They are also available in wide calf. My skirt and tee are sold out, but I linked a few similar ones for you! :) Happy Thanksgiving!