By Katelyn Fry
November 1, 2017

Are you spending time with nieces and nephews this Thanksgiving but feel like you’re missing all the niece and nephew action while you're sitting at the grownup table? Why not make a mini-Thanksgiving for you and your nieces and nephews! It can take place before the main Thanksgiving dinner. And hey, a new tradition can absolutely be about not sticking with tradition!

The Menu:   Who says it must be “Turkey” Day? Create an alternative holiday menu with your nieces and nephews with their favorite foods. Maybe they love pizza and mashed potatoes while you love tacos and macaroni and cheese? Why not have all of them? Kids will get a kick out of having such a diverse meal and you’ll all have fun making each item from scratch. (Or ordering it if the kitchen is otherwise occupied with preparations for the traditional meal. We won’t tell.)

Theme is Up! Decide on a your alternative Thanksgiving theme together. Say they love the Harry Potter series. You can all dress up as wizards for dinner and watch the movies afterward. Or, how about a sports theme? Maybe they love basketball, not traditional Thanksgiving Day football, and you all wear a jersey and play outside - or indoors with soft indoor ball and a waste basket. Or, how about a “sleepover theme” you all wear pajamas and slippers and make S'mores and roast marshmallows!

Why Dinner? What more alternative than a Thanksgiving Breakfast? Make it an Auntie (and Uncle) with nieces and nephews breakfast - with all their favorites! Pumpkin spice pancakes? Eggs with turkey sausage and sweet potato home fries? Cranberry and pumpkin muffins?

Grateful for Meaningful Things. Have your nieces and nephews come up with a list of things they’re most thankful for, and you do the same. Of course, some things are intangible, like your love for each other. And that’s cool and all, but why not show your favorite things? Let them show the thing they are most grateful for: a stuffed animal, a cozy blanket, or for you - your favorite sweatshirt from your college days. Did the sweatshirt keep you comfy during your all-nighters? Did your niece's doll make her feel better when she was sick? Did your nephew's blanket make him miss home less when he was visiting grandma and grandpa? Then, after Thanksgiving, take the kids shopping for similar items to give a child in need so they have similar comforts.

The best part about this kind of Thanksgiving is that there are no rules! You and your nieces and nephews can make this holiday anything you want it to be. Be as creative and silly as you like; the possibilities are endless. But be prepared – they might have so much fun that you have to make this a tradition and have two Thanksgivings every year!

Happy "Alternative" Thanksgiving!

Photo: RockandWasp