Family Bonding Activities for Thanksgiving.

Permissino to reprint and change title.--------------There are three main themes for Thanksgiving: gratitude, the harvest, and family. We can lose track of these things when we're busy preparing for company and big meals, and Christmas shopping, and the kids are out of school too! Here are some ways you and the family can share some time recapturing the meaning of Thanksgiving, or even start some new traditions.

Let each member of the family make a list of things they're grateful for. Read the lists before the meal and save them for memories in years to come.

Start a "thanks" journal you'll keep all year.Instead of writing down problems and concerns, write down the things you're grateful for.

Think harvest! Make a trip to your local Farmers Market or Produce Row to take photos, have fun, and support the people who feed us all!

Spend the long weekend on family projects such as making a Family Tree. For help, visit ancestry.com, or check out the Family Tree maker on geneology.org.

How about some family crafting for Thanksgiving? There are some great crafts ideas hereto do with the kids, plus recipes, songs, and learning activities, even computer worksheets for older “kids”.

Put the family photos in order, and share some memories and tales. Go here to learn the basics of scrapbooking. Take the time to sort them by date, and write on the backs who all the people are.

Make some "Corny" Table toppers. Find directions here -- Thanksgiving place cards and napkin rings.

Make some "Good Manners Napkins." This is so sweet! All you need is cloth napkins, pieces of paper, pencil, fabric markers, and scissors to write on napkins "Use your napkin," or "Chew with your mouth closed." Go here for these darling reminders to "mind your manners"!

Make Color Me Thankful Posters for each guest at Thanksgiving table. Download poster and instructions here.Did you know Sarah Josepha Hale, an acclaimed author and editor lobbied for 23 years before she got President Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863? Spend some evenings reading about the history and traditions of Thanksgiving. Here's one site with information.

Try some of these family bonding activities to share the season and appreciate it, and one another, more.