New Traditions to try this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about good food, great company, and taking time to reflect and appreciate what you have. But that doesn’t mean you have to celebrate the holiday the same way every year. From changing up the menu to rethinking your traditions, these ideas can help you celebrate in a way that’s fun and fresh.
Skip the formal dinner
Who says Thanksgiving has to mean a seated dinner with turkey and stuffing? Shake things up this year with a Thanksgiving brunch, lunch, or even a casual dinner instead and let fall flavours inspire your menu. Try cinnamon and spice waffles, sweet potato tater tots, or a creamy pumpkin soup that’s sure to please even the pickiest palettes.
Get creative with leftovers
Thanksgiving leftovers are great—but eating the same plate of turkey and mashed potatoes for three days can get boring. Challenge your family to create a new dish using what’s left from dinner. Try spicy turkey tacos, cranberry grilled cheese, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a pumpkin pie milkshake. Make it a competition to see who can create the best leftover dish for an added twist.
Dress for the occasion your way
Forget the pressure to find the perfect Thanksgiving outfit. Make the dress code something unexpected instead. Tell your guests to wear their pjs or favourite sweats for maximum comfort, give everyone a specific colour to wear and represent the entire rainbow, or let everyone dress up as a character from their favourite show. A silly, unconventional dress code can give everyone something to laugh about and makes for memorable family photos, too.
Make Thanksgiving crackers
Why limit place setting entertainment to Christmastime? Get crafty and make your own Thanksgiving crackers this year. Save your toilet paper or paper towel rolls, decorate them with stickers, glitter, and tissue paper, and then stuff your crackers with small goodies like chocolates, mints, bookmarks, travel toiletries, or scratch tickets. It’s a fun, unexpected way to kick off your Thanksgiving meal and treat your guests to a little something extra.
Add your own tradition
Sometimes the best way to make Thanksgiving special is to do something completely unique. Take an annual Thanksgiving photo that everyone can look back on, turn Thanksgiving into a movie marathon, or something else entirely. Your tradition doesn’t have to be elaborate—just needs something everyone can look forward to.
This Thanksgiving, don’t be afraid to break from tradition. Make time to laugh, celebrate, show gratitude, and enjoy your time—together.
From the holiday must-haves to decadent desserts, from play to going away, Westshore Town Centre offers something for the entire (read: busy!) family. Situated in the City of Langford, Westshore Town Centre’s convenient location, along with numerous retailers, such as Cobs Bread, Dollarama, and Bulk Barn, allows for the quick and easy completion of one’s daily “to do” list, including getting everything you need to try a new recipe. We’ve got you covered. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on everything WTC-related!