10 Ways to Have Happy Holidays—No Eating Required

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Whenever you hear the word Thanksgiving, what is the first image you picture? The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Your guests sitting around the T.V. watching the football game? For many of us, it is a time for family and friends to sit around a festively dressed table with a nice roasted turkey sitting in the middle with lots of side dishes scattered around. It is a day we give thanks, but it is also a day many of us will eat a hearty meal of turkey, fixings, and lots of yummy, tasty desserts.

But what if you had a few fun-filled activities to participate in that did not involve food preparation and eating, would that help make the holiday a little less stressed about being around all that food?

Below is a list of a few fun-filled activities, both indoors and out that may inspire you and your family to get up and move, while taking the focus off of the food.

  1. Take part in your local Turkey Trot or Thanksgiving Day run- Many cities across the country host an early morning run/walk event for all fitness levels. Check Active.com or visit your local running specialty store to see if they may know of an event in your area.

  2. Take a walk with family and friends- If your city doesn't hold a Turkey Trot event, how about holding your own with family members? Walking is a great way to begin the day and get moving.

  3. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen or nursing home- With many people out of work and others living on a limited income, soup kitchens are expected to overflowing with people seeking a hot meal this Thanksgiving Day. What better way than to spend a couple hours donating your time helping others.

  4. Have a Wii-Fit or Dance, Dance Revolution tournament- Not only are you going to have a great time with family and friends, but you will be sneaking in some exercise while having fun, too.

  5. Take a family photo- For many Thanksgiving is the ideal time to take the yearly family photo. The weather in most parts of the country is still warm enough to go outside to take a photo of the family amid the beautiful fall skies.

  6. Hold a Thanksgiving Day scavenger hunt -Who doesn't like going on a scavenger hunt? Come up with a list of items such as acorns, oak leaves, pumpkins, pine cones, even objects you have hidden ahead of time for your guests to find. Whoever finds all the objects on their list first has a special seat at the table.

  7. Play a friendly game of flag football, soccer or even basketball- For many this is a family tradition that is just as important as the Thanksgiving feast itself. Not only do we get in some nice activity, it gets your guests out of the house while enjoying the crisp fall temperatures.

  8. Play a fun game of charades- Try choosing holiday themed answers such as pilgrims, The Mayflower, Plymouth Rock, Turkey, etc. Here is a link how to play charades for those who may not know how.

  9. Play board games such as Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary- Break up into teams and have a friendly competition. Just imagine the fun to be shared as new family traditions are being made.

  10. Share family stories- Thanksgiving is a great time to sit down and listen to stories from our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, etc. One of the biggest regrets I have is not sitting down with my Grandparents and listening to their childhood tales. This is a great way for us to connect to our past.
These are just a few ideas I have, but I do hope you will share a few of your own family traditions and ideas that may help others take the focus off the food and place it on giving thanks for sharing a wonderful day with family and friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

What are some of your non-food activities you and your family participate in? Is there a special activity that you would like to do this Thanksgiving that you have never done before?

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