It's November in Hinsdale and you know what that means: CHRISTMAS IS HERE!
I always marvel at how fast halls are decked and stockings are hung in our village mere hours after Halloween candy bowls are emptied, but our family takes a slightly slower approach. I'm not saying I haven't checked our lights to make sure all bulbs are functioning or sorted decorations, but Thanksgiving is the real MVP around here.
It's not so much about the food (though my mom's twice-baked potatoes and my aunt's pumpkin pie are second to none) but about the meaning: This is a time to reflect on what we are most thankful for and how we can channel that gratitude into becoming better versions of ourselves. This can be a tough concept for littles to understand, so enter the Thankful Turkey. It's been a staple in our home since our kids were old enough to talk but if you're unfamiliar with the tradition, it's simple: Cut out a turkey body, write something you're thankful for on a feather and stick said feather on the turkey. You can even let your kids name it; ours has been Telemachus for three years running - thanks to "Bluey" not "The Odyssey.
My husband and I could probably buy a private island if we reallocated the funds for the construction paper, Sharpie and glue stick budget needed for this project, but I digress because the result is equal parts heartfelt and entertaining. (Not to mention eye-catching: We've gone from one feather per day to one feather whenever anyone has an idea so this fowl gets huge by November's end.)
It's also an amazing way to get candid answers from a 6- and 8-year-old. This year, for example, there's a "Memories of Tone-Tone" feather (their name for my father, who died this summer) across from a "Farting" feather. We let it ride because though kids do say the darndest things, their honesty is refreshing. And I know my dad is absolutely laughing about the juxtaposition.
Even if you don't construct your own Thankful Turkey, take a moment to marinate (or brine, perhaps?) on the values you hold close and what you're truly grateful for this season. And when you're done, take a quick drive around town and bask in the decorations adorning the twinkling streets and illuminated avenues.
Our house will happily join those ranks on Nov. 29, but today, we simply and wholeheartedly give thanks.
- Lex Silberberg of Hinsdale is a contributing columnist. Readers can email her at [email protected].
