A Fun Thanksgiving Family Tradition: Grateful Pig

Meet Grateful Pig, our favorite Thanksgiving family tradition. Many years ago my mom gave us a sparkly piggy bank and shared a sweet poem with us about gratitude. Now, each November we pull out Grateful Pig. Most years he sits in a prominent place with scraps of paper and a pen next to him. As family members walk by, they think of a blessing, quickly scribble it down, and stuff it into Grateful Pig.

At Thanksgiving dinner, we open Grateful Pig and read all that we have been blessed with aloud. The kids love emptying the pig and hearing what every one is most grateful for. People can sign their name or leave it anonymous but the kids love hearing their special moments called out for all to hear! Such a fun and easy Thanksgiving family tradition to bring more gratitude to the season.

Share This Thanksgiving Family Tradition with a Loved One

This tradition was a really wonderful gift a few years ago from my mom. We especially love starting what often becomes a “gimmie” time of year with a way to remember all that we already have. There is always a sweet spirit of gratitude in our home during the month.
She gave us a fun glittery piggy bank but over the years Grateful Pig has taken on many different shapes and sizes. He once made an appearance on vacation with extended family members over Thanksgiving, even in a few short days he was filled to the brim, and everyone had such a fun time sharing their gratitude moments at dinner.
Here is the poem my mom shared with us all those years ago. Consider writing or printing this out for a friend or family member. The best thing about a fun Thanksgiving family tradition is sharing it with others!
Meet your family member for November
His name is grateful pig.
All month long slip in notes of thanks
For things little or things big.
Think of people who help you
Be who you want to be,
And those who teach you every day
Or keep your country free.
Think of things you love to eat
And songs you love to sing,
Be specific, really think
And be surprised with each new thing.
Think of good friends, fun places
And homes that keep you warm
Think of Jesus Christ our Savior
To free you he was born.
Then stuff that little piggy
With every happy bit.
This month will be different,
And not because of what you get.
One a day or even more,
Filling him up is not a sin.
Then on Thanksgiving dump him out
 And read how blessed you’ve been. 

More Traditions to Try

Grateful Pig has brought our family together for years! I craved something like that for other holidays too so overtime we created other Simple, Inexpensive Traditions for Every Holiday. We also practice gratitude throughout the school year using the Modern Manners for Kids book and at the end of every school year as we make Teacher Thank You Notes. Share your your favorite easy and fun Thanksgiving family traditions in the comments below. How do you bring more gratitude into the holidays?

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