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In less than two weeks, we’ll gather around our tables to celebrate Thanksgiving, the great feast of gratitude. As schoolchildren, we learned that the holiday grew from expressing our thanks and appreciation for the harvest and the season’s bounty.
Yet Thanksgiving is about more than just appreciating the food that’s on the table. It’s also a chance to reflect on our relationships and consider ways to strengthen those bonds as we share this special day with loved ones and friends.
Let’s be honest: it’s been a challenging year that’s strained many relationships. We’ve navigated a divisive election and are still facing a national loneliness epidemic. Many of us are yearning for deeper connections so that we can more fully appreciate life’s blessings.
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to connect with others is by simply saying, “thank you.” These two words, at the heart of this month’s holiday, can make a world of difference. Saying thank you lets others know they matter, that their actions or words are noticed and appreciated, and that their presence makes a meaningful impact in our lives.
This year, we need Thanksgiving more than ever. It’s a time to pause, connect, and express gratitude. Not just for what’s on the table, but for everyone who sits around the table.
A feast of rituals
Rituals are a big part of the Thanksgiving season, each one nurturing a spirit of gratitude, appreciation, and connection. From sharing a holiday feast and watching football games to volunteering and participating in turkey trots, these traditions bring us together and remind us to be thankful for the relationships that enrich our lives.
Thanksgiving makes it easy to show gratitude and strengthen connections. This is especially important, as research shows that gratitude does more than boost our immediate happiness – it has lasting benefits for our well-being. Practicing gratitude can reduce stress, improve sleep, and support both physical and mental health. It shifts our perspective on life’s challenges, fostering a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.
The benefits extend beyond ourselves to enrich the health and well-being of our children, grandchildren, and the wider community. These rituals transform a holiday meal from a simple dinner into something deeply meaningful. They build anticipation and form the foundation of lasting family and community memories.
What fascinates me most about rituals is how they evolve. Each year, we come together in anticipation of familiar traditions, yet we also weave in new activities and layers of meaning. Rituals honor the past, grounding us in shared memories, while also embracing change and looking toward the future. They remind us that tradition isn’t static; it’s a living, breathing expression of who we are as individuals, families, and communities.
My family rituals
One of my favorite Thanksgiving rituals was started years ago by my sister, Julie. As the dinner host, she made it a tradition for everyone to share one thing they’re grateful for before we started eating. Over the years, the answers have ranged from lighthearted jokes and "no comment" responses to heartfelt stories that have brought tears and sparked deep reflection. It’s a wonderful way to catch up with everyone around the table and set the tone for the meal.
A newer family tradition is Papa’s Turkey Tacos. This one started during the pandemic when we celebrated Thanksgiving in the backyard, and I decided to get a little creative. The tacos were an instant hit with the grandkids, and now they start asking about them as soon as the leaves begin to change color.
But even this new tradition has evolved. After a few days post-Thanksgiving, when we found ourselves a bit too full to enjoy the tacos, we moved the celebration to the Sunday after the holiday. This not only gave us a chance to make the most of leftovers but also allowed us to broaden the tradition to include neighbors and friends, making it an even bigger occasion.
A new family tradition
This year, our family is starting a new Thanksgiving tradition that adds a bit of purpose to our celebration. To honor the harvest roots of the original Thanksgiving, the McCann family is putting the grandkids in charge of the vegetables!
Each child (there are seven of them!) is getting a different vegetable from The Chef’s Garden and has been asked to report back on the benefits of their vegetable and create a dish using it. From carrots to sweet potatoes, they’ll be responsible for selecting and preparing their vegetables, and contributing their dish to the family meal.
This new tradition has a deeper intention. In a world where processed foods still dominate grocery store shelves, it's more important than ever to introduce kids to whole, nutritious options. Not only does this tradition give them a sense of ownership and pride in their creation, but it also helps them develop a lifelong appreciation for healthy eating. By learning about the unique benefits and stories behind each vegetable, they’ll gain a greater understanding of nutrition. And who knows? We might even discover a budding chef!
As we gather around the table this year, we’ll not only enjoy the kids' creations but also share our thanks – for each other, for all we have, and for the new traditions that we’re passing down to future generations.
No matter which rituals you partake in this Thanksgiving, remember their endgame: They all strengthen bonds, reminding us that we’re not alone. We’re part of a support network that carries us through both good and tough times. This shared gratitude extends beyond the faces around the table; it’s about the act of gathering, the traditions that come alive, and the memories we create together.
All the best,
Jim
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AUTHOR
Jim McCann is the founder, CEO, and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. as well as a business leader, author, and philanthropist with a passion for helping people deliver smiles. Devoted to helping others, he also founded Smile Farms, a 501(c)3 organization that provides meaningful jobs in agricultural settings to young adults and adults with developmental disabilities.