Teens Transforming Thanksgiving And Christmas Traditions

The winter holidays are a festive time, and while Thanksgiving and Christmas are both highly anticipated, teens can sometimes be less than enthusiastic about the celebrations. However, teens can play a significant role in making these holidays memorable and enjoyable for the entire family. From planning to cooking to bonding, there are numerous ways to engage teens and ensure they feel valued and involved. Here are some ideas to get you started on creating new traditions and making lasting memories with your teens this holiday season.

Teens can help with cooking and cleaning

Teens can play a significant role in contributing to the success of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations by actively participating in cooking and cleaning. Here are some ways they can help:

Cooking

Teens can be involved in the cooking process by choosing the menu and preparing dishes. They can be given the option to select which dish they want to help prepare, giving them a sense of ownership and making the experience more enjoyable. It is important to allow teens to be creative and do things their own way, even if it differs from how their parents would usually do it. For example, if a teen cuts vegetables differently for a salad, it is okay as long as they are still edible.

Teens can also assist in the planning stage by taking inventory of the kitchen tools and ingredients needed. They can utilize their organizational skills by creating a list of items to purchase and gradually collecting them. Additionally, they can help with grocery shopping, ensuring all the necessary ingredients are available.

Cleaning

In the kitchen, teens can learn and practice daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks. These tasks include washing dishes, either by hand or loading and operating the dishwasher. They can also clean the sink, wipe down counters, stoves, microwaves, and small appliances to remove grease and prevent pest infestations. Taking out the trash and replacing it with a new trash bag is another essential task. Sweeping and mopping the floor, especially in corners and under tables, are also important to maintain a clean space.

Monthly tasks may include cleaning the oven and wiping down the inside of the refrigerator. This involves throwing out expired food, cleaning shelves, and removing spills. By teaching teens these cleaning skills, parents are preparing them for adulthood and successful independent living.

By involving teens in cooking and cleaning, families can create lasting memories and strengthen their bond. It also teaches valuable life skills that will benefit them in the long run.

They can be included in the planning process

There are many ways to include teens in the planning process for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Planning and Logistics

If you have family visiting, get your teen involved in the logistics – the earlier, the better. This can include planning where everyone will sleep and where they will sit at the table for dinner. If you have a teen who can be trusted with the car, they could be in charge of picking family up from the airport and running any holiday-related errands.

The Meal

Get your teen involved in planning the menu. They can help find interesting, fun, and different recipes online, and there are also teen-friendly cooking and recipe websites with video tutorials on everything from shopping to cleaning up after the event. Your teen may also enjoy cooking part of the meal. If they are older, they can handle more complex recipes, but there are also plenty of simple recipes that teens can make with supervision.

Activities

Teens can be in charge of planning activities for the day before and after Thanksgiving, when family is around and free time is abundant. They can plan day trips, fun local events, or a game night at home. If the weather is nice, they can organise a game of football outside, or if it's colder, they can set up a board game or a deck of cards.

Decorations

Teens can be included in making decorations for the table, such as place cards. If they are artistic, they may enjoy making an edible Thanksgiving village using a teepee cupcake idea and a log cabin design. They can also help set the table, put out fancy china and crystal, and fold the napkins with sophistication.

Entertainment

If your teen is interested in media, you can put them in charge of finding and playing the best Thanksgiving-themed videos, songs, funny clips, historical videos, and satires to share with the family.

They can organise day trips and activities

Organising day trips and activities is a great way for teens to affect Thanksgiving and Christmas positively. Here are some ways they can do this:

Planning Activities

Teens can be included in the entire planning process for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They can help with the logistics of where everyone will sleep and where they will sit at the table for dinner. If they can be trusted with the car, they could even be responsible for picking family members up from the airport and running errands.

Day Trips

Teens can research and plan day trips and activities for the family to do together. This could include a game night at home, playing football outside, or finding fun local events to attend.

Outdoor Activities

Teens can be put in charge of setting up outdoor lawn games, such as washers, horseshoes, and croquet. If the weather is too cold or wet, they can organise indoor games like Monopoly or card games.

Media Activities

If teens are reluctant to put down their devices, their media habits can be harnessed for good. They can be tasked with finding and playing the best Thanksgiving or Christmas-themed videos, songs, funny clips, historical videos, or satires to share with the family.

Fundraising

The holiday break is an ideal time for teens to organise fundraisers for their favourite club or cause. They can take the lead and engage local businesses, neighbours, or the school administration in the process. Bake sales and hot cider are perfect for this time of year.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way for teens to give back during the holidays. They can volunteer at a food bank or homeless shelter, either with the family or independently. This can be a valuable opportunity for them to connect with their community and embody the spirit of the holiday season.

They can be encouraged to put their devices down

Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the most important holidays in the US. They are a time for family, gratitude, and celebration. However, in today's world, it can be challenging to encourage teens to put down their devices and engage in the festivities. Here are some ways to encourage them to disconnect and be present:

Planning and Logistics

Involve your teens in the planning process. If family is visiting, ask your teen to help with the logistics – from figuring out sleeping arrangements to creating a seating plan for the dinner table. If they are old enough, they can even be tasked with picking up family members from the airport or running holiday-related errands. This will make them feel independent, responsible, and valued.

The Meal

Get your teens involved in planning and preparing the menu. They can look up interesting, fun, and different recipes online and explore teen-friendly cooking websites and video tutorials. They can also help with the grocery shopping and cleaning up after the event. Teens who enjoy cooking can be assigned specific dishes to prepare for the meal.

Activities

Encourage your teens to plan activities for the family, especially during the free time surrounding the holiday. They can organize day trips, local events, or a game night at home. Outdoor activities like a friendly game of football in the yard or a family hike can also be a fun way to disconnect from devices.

Sports

Suggest that your teens use the break to engage in sports or other extracurricular activities at school. This is a great opportunity for them to connect with friends or make new ones.

Fundraising

Encourage your teens to organize fundraisers during the break for a club, cause, or charity they care about. They can engage with local businesses, neighbors, or the school administration to support their initiative. Bake sales, hot cider stands, and food drives are perfect for the season.

Tutoring

Teens can offer tutoring services to their peers during the break to help them catch up before semester finals. This is a great way to keep them busy, earn some extra money, and provide a valuable service to their community.

By encouraging teens to put down their devices and engage in these activities, you can help them develop a sense of responsibility, independence, and connection to their family and community. It is also an opportunity for them to learn about gratitude and the true meaning of the holiday season.

They can be involved in family bonding activities

There are many ways to involve teens in family bonding activities during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are some suggestions:

Planning and Logistics

Teens can be involved in the entire planning process if family is visiting. This can include figuring out where everyone will sleep and where they will sit at the dinner table. If your teen is trustworthy with the car, they can also be responsible for picking family up from the airport and running holiday-related errands.

The Meal

Get your teen involved in planning the menu and cooking part of the meal. There are teen-friendly cooking and recipe websites with video tutorials on everything from shopping to cleaning up after the event. For teens who enjoy mixology, they can be put in charge of keeping guests hydrated and serving tasty mocktails.

Activities

Teens can find and plan day trips, fun local events, and game nights. They can also be in charge of setting up outdoor lawn games and indoor board games, which will encourage them to invest time in playing.

Volunteering

Volunteering as a family is a great way to instill a sense of gratitude in your teens and remind them of all they have. Many organizations and soup kitchens sponsor meals on Thanksgiving Day, and senior centers allow visitors for those without family. Alternatively, your family can write letters to soldiers or veterans, host a food collection drive, or clean out closets to find items to donate.

Conversations

Thanksgiving and Christmas are great opportunities for meaningful conversations about gratitude. It can be interesting to hear teens voice their appreciation for relationships, health, and freedom.

Frequently asked questions