Parent Magazine Volusia November 2018 | Page 10

A by Christa Melnyk Hines fter all of the hours of prep work that go into Thanksgiving dinner, it seems as if the meal is gobbled up in no time flat. Now what? Here’s a bounty of activity ideas, big and small, for the entire family to enjoy after the big feast. Sign a pumpkin. According to positive psychology research, simply expressing gratitude can actually enhance our overall happiness. Invite your family to consider their individual blessings. Purchase a large artificial pumpkin that you can bring out each year for your family to sign. Ask each person to write a note on it about what they’re most grateful for this year. Perhaps a new baby arrived into the family, wedding bells will soon be ringing, your child got an A in a difficult class, or a loved one overcame a health issue. Be sure to have everyone sign and date his or her note. Create a Thanksgiving tablecloth. Similar to the pumpkin idea, lay the Thanksgiving table with a memory tablecloth. After the table is cleared, each person can write a note to the host or a note of gratitude using fabric markers. Protect your table by placing a matte, like cardboard, under the tablecloth in case ink bleeds through the fabric. 8 | VOLUSIA parent MAGAZINE