Writing & Blogging Prompts

Reflecting on the Thanksgiving Holiday (United States)

By Chris Dunmire

"In the United States, Thanksgiving is a four day weekend which usually marks a pause in school and college calendars. Families and friends gather for a reunion, a day of thanks, and a festive meal.

Thanksgiving meals are traditionally family events where certain kinds of food are served. [...] In keeping with the holiday theme of giving thanks, during the socializing or meal, people talk about what they are thankful for or tell about experiences during the past year which have caused them to feel grateful." (Source: Wikipedia.)

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 1:

Priming the Pump: Words to inspire thankful thoughts. Choose one word (or a group of words) from the list below and write freely about what they personally mean to you.

Thankfulness, gratitude, abundance, warmth, security, family, football, tradition, November, Harvest Festival, fourth Thursday in November, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Thanksgiving Proclamation, George Washington, 1789, Pilgrims, settlers, Indians, fall, autumn, feast, turkey, gravy, dressing, stuffing, corn, yams with marshmallows, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, cranberry sauce, corn bread, Christmas shopping.

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 2:

What do you know about the history of Thanksgiving? Does it bother you that many refer to it as "turkey day"? Do you believe the Thanksgiving holiday has been romanticized?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 3:

Do you think the history of Thanksgiving Day matters to people anymore? Is the current meaning of a holiday celebration or family tradition more important than its roots?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 4:

What does celebrating Thanksgiving represent or symbolize to you?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 5:

Do you spend Thanksgiving day alone or with others? How would prefer to spend it?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 6:

Thanksgiving day is an American holiday. Do you think an annual "day of thanks" should be celebrated earth-wide? Do you feel the focus on the positive in our lives is too often overlooked in favor of the negative or sensational?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 7:

Does your family gather together at Thanksgiving? If so, do members travel great distances and put a lot of effort to get together and make the event memorable? What do you enjoy about this event?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 8:

How does Thanksgiving Day normally go at your house? Does it go smoothly or is it a time of family stress or disagreement?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 9:

Do you watch football games on Thanksgiving Day? What have been the most memorable Thanksgiving football games that you remember?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 10:

Do you remember celebrating your first Thanksgiving dinner with your family? How old were you? Who did you sit next to? What else do you remember about it?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 11:

Do you remember preparing your first Thanksgiving dinner for your family? What was the experience like? Was the turkey dry? Did you burn a casserole? Can you look back on the "bad" experiences with humor and perspective now?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 12:

Is Thanksgiving a time for "thanks" and "gratitude" for you? Or are you primarily focused on preparing a meal or entertaining guests? If you go to someone else's home, are you able to truly enjoy yourself? Why or why not?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 13:

What are you thankful for? What are you grateful for?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 14:

Thanksgiving often symbolizes "abundance". What do you feel about the idea of abundance in the world?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 15:

Do you feel guilty about the abundance in your life when you see others who lack abundance? How do you create abundance in your life? What causes a lack?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 16:

Some people volunteer in "soup kitchens" on Thanksgiving Day, serving the less fortunate a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Have you ever volunteered your time to help the needy? How did you feel about doing it? What did it teach you about people?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompt 17:

Do you look forward to the "biggest shopping day of the year" kicking off your Christmas shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

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About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an author, artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind multiple creativity-inspiring features for Creativity-Portal.com, a Writer's Digest best Web site. Chris trained with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. as a creativity coach and inspires people of all ages at CoachingYourCreativity.com. She also develops printable project playbooks (including the world- famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant) available for instant download at CreativeSlush.com.

11/09/07