Jeff Hamilton is a friend and someone I respect greatly. This is a great blog on Dad’s involvement around Thanksgiving. It is helpful, practical, and inspiring. Here is a link to learn more about Jeff’s ministry DadAcademy.info.
Holidays give dads a chance to lead intentionally. They are a built in opportunity to craft experiences that reinforce who his family is and what matters most. Thanksgiving, then, isn’t just a meal. It’s an invitation to build memories, model gratitude, and give your children a 365-day perspective—a way of seeing life through the lens of God’s goodness.
This short guide offers three ways Dads can lead well this Thanksgiving:
MEMORY MAKERS that build your family identity
These activities help establish a sense of “who we are” as a family—your family’s greatest hits, the fun quirks, the favorite games, the yearly jokes, and holy moments that get repeated for decades.
• TURKEY TROT – Run a local 5K as a family, take a lap around the neighborhood, or hit a favorite trail for a walk together. When feet and mouths are moving, ears and hearts are open.
• STORY TIME – Share your favorite memories from the year—or better yet, have your kids interview a grandparent or older family member.
• MEAL PREP – From making a favorite side dish to setting the table, the day is more meaningful when everyone contributes in some way.
• FAMILY FUN – Backyard football, cornhole competition, board games, karaoke, or movie night—time together makes for memorable moments.
CULTURE CREATORS that reinforce your family values
The best traditions aren’t just about what you do—they’re about why you do them. These activities align your family calendar with your values, creating rhythms that point back to God, community, generosity, and love.
• THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP – Attend a church service the night before as a way to re-center the holiday around giving thanks to God.
• SERVING BEFORE SECONDS – Serve together at a food pantry, deliver meals, or participate in a canned food drive before diving into leftovers.
• INVITE THE OUTSIDER – Model hospitality by inviting someone new—a neighbor, international student, military family, or friend who’s far from home.
• FAMILY COMMUNION – Begin Thanksgiving dinner with a short time of Scripture, prayer, and sharing the Lord’s Supper together.
GRATITUDE GIFTS that practice a life of Thanks giving.
Gratitude is more than a polite response—it’s a perspective-shifting practice that rewires our hearts and homes. The more we practice it, the more it becomes who we are. Here’s how dads can lead their families in thanks giving—not just on Thursday, but every day after.
• THANK YOU CARDS – Give each child a few blank cards and encourage them to write a note to a teacher, coach, mentor, or friend. Model this by doing your own and reading it aloud before sealing.
• GRATITUDE JAR – Set out a jar and blank slips of paper. Invite family members to write something they’re thankful for—each day leading up to Thanksgiving, or all year long. Open and read them next November.
• “NOTE OF WORTH” – Write your child a letter highlighting something you’re proud of and thankful for in who they are—not just what they do. Consider giving this before dinner or after dessert as a final blessing.
Every small choice—every note written, walk taken, story shared, or prayer whispered—contributes to the rhythm of your family life. And over time, those rhythms (rituals and traditions) shape identity and legacy.
This Thanksgiving, don’t settle for just carving turkey. Carve out space to create memories, build culture, and give the gift of gratitude. Let this year be the start of something bigger than a meal. Let it be the start of a few intentional traditions your children carry forward for the rest of their lives.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18