A Thoughtful Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, you are probably growing excited to dive head first into a mound of food surrounded by family and friends. Thanksgiving is a holiday rich with tradition and is a special time for many people. There are endless possibilities for how you chose to spend your holiday and so we have listed a few of our favorites to give you some ideas for how to maximize your time with those near and dear to you.

1. Play a Football Game: Just like apple pie, football is a staple of Thanksgiving and what better way to burn off all those calories than tossing the football around the yard? Play your own Turkey Bowl! Obviously it is probably best to install the two hand touch rule as nobody wants to get hurt before desert, but a friendly game of football is a great way to get the whole group involved, active and having fun to kick-off the holiday!
2. Run a Turkey Trot: If your family is anything like mine, you didn’t have a choice but to run a Turkey Trot growing up. 3.1 miles may seem like a long distance, but the reward at the end is well worth it. What is that reward you might ask? The peace of mind to eat as much as you want and not feeling guilty about it afterwards! This is a great way to gain a sense of accomplishment and start or continue a family tradition.
3. Volunteer: Thanksgiving is a holiday intended for reflection. Reflecting on our opportunities and those who surround us is a major component of the day. However, many are less fortunate and it is important to keep them in mind during the holiday season. There are always charities working tirelessly to provide the less fortunate with a great holiday experience and what is more rewarding than giving back? Whether you deliver a meal or actually volunteer your time, this will surely be a humbling and rewarding experience for all involved.
4. Black Friday Preparation: Every Thanksgiving it seems as though retail stores are opening their doors earlier and earlier for Black Friday deals. Black Friday shopping can become an art form and it is important to be prepared if you plan to get the bulk of your holiday shopping done this coming Friday. If you want to be prepared to get the most bang for your buck, do your research before and make a list of the items you hope to purchase ahead of time. Identify the store locations and get an idea of their hours and prices. This can be a fun and competitive activity for the whole family, turn it into a game for your family! See who can get the most for the least and come up with a reward for the winner. Maybe the last slice of pie?
5. Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade: Maybe a more relaxing way to spend your holiday would be to wake-up to no alarm clock and turn on the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Watch all of the balloons and floats roll down the streets of New York City while staying nice and toasty.

From the team here at Stran, we want to extend our warmest wishes as you and your loves one’s this Thanksgiving!