When you gather around the table this year – there are many things to sit back and think about. Have you had a prosperous year on the farm? Have loved ones moved closer to home? Are there new family members graciously joining you around the table this year? While we all have many reasons to give thanks, it’s good for us to take a look at how we achieve that.

Most of us already have our “ways” of doing things at the holidays. But how can we take those traditions to the next level?

5 Thanksgiving Traditions to Steal This Year

If you’re looking for ideas on how you can make this holiday season even more memorable – here are some of our favorite ideas.

1. Take time for yourself, before time with the extended family. We all know that feasting on food, visiting with family and traveling in such a short time-frame can be exhausting. Wonderful, yet exhausting. Start your Thanksgiving holiday by drinking a good cup of coffee, reading a book, reflecting on the past year or simply preparing your food for the day. Whatever you do – take time for yourself.
2. Relax & enjoy a nice, scrumptious breakfast beforehand. We know your day is likely filled with mashed potatoes, gravy, and turkey galore, but don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a nice, scrumptious breakfast as well. Pancakes, waffles, eggs – they’re all good!
3. Write your thanks on butcher paper tablecloth. This is one of our favorites – and good for all ages. Cover the table with butcher paper, and during the meal, distribute pens, pencils, etc to all who are in attendance. Let them write (or draw) their favorite memories – and even rip them off and take them home.
4. Take a long walk after dinner (then relax on the couch). Who is ready for dessert right away after dinner, anyways? If the weather will allow it, take a nice, brisk walk outside (or for our farmer friends, take a tractor ride), and take in all that nature has to offer. When you come back in – you’ll be ready for your dessert.
5. Stay connected with your family members – near and far. If you have family members who are unable to make it home for the Thanksgiving holiday, start a tradition of doing a virtual video call (or phone call if that works better) to share your thankful memories together before the meal. This helps to provide a feeling of “togetherness” no matter the distance.

We hope you find joy and happiness in your moments together this year with family and friends. Please enjoy a recipe from ABM staff, and a fun Thanksgiving memory, as we share in this special holiday!

Monkey Bread Recipe – Vince Wertman, Regional Sales Manager & Technical Services Director

Every holiday we make Monkey bread here in Minnesota. It’s great to enjoy with a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa as we head into winter.

Ingredients:

• Frozen bread dough – 2 loafs (thaw and cut in golf ball size pieces)
• 2 lb Brown Sugar
• 1 lb Butter

Directions:

• Mix ¾ lb butter, 1 ½ lb of brown sugar and bread pieces, add to baking pan, cook @ 350F in preheated oven
• Heat remainder of brown sugar and butter, pour on top of monkey bread quickly after removing from oven
• Let cool 3-5 minutes… best eaten warm and with whole milk.

Thanksgiving Memories – Pete Hayes, Vice President of Marketing

A special memory for me at Thanksgiving goes back to when I was a child. Our family would go to my aunt and uncle’s house Thanksgiving morning. If there was still corn to pick (yes I said pick) we would do that until noon and then we would stop for the day and eat a big Thanksgiving meal. In the afternoon, all the cousins would go outside and play backyard football.

As family and friends gather together this year – how will you make the holiday special and one everyone will remember for years to come?