Written by Hannah Conlin

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes: ‘Tis the season to gather with family and friends, to indulge in the annual starch- and sugar-enriched feast, and to reflect on what you are most thankful for. Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to laugh, to share memories with loved ones, and manage to move up two pant sizes in a single night!

Many people partake in certain traditions which make their holiday special, so before you find yourself slumped on the couch hit with the ever-so-common post-feast food coma, consider doing the following to craft your own Thanksgiving Day tradition:

• Eat your dessert first. Don’t wait until after the turkey and plethora of side dishes to dig into your grandmother’s famous pumpkin pie. Have a small slice before the meal, just to get your taste buds warmed up for Thanksgiving feast.
• Run a 5K with a friend. Turkey trots are very popular across the nation. Walking or running a few miles in the morning before the big feast will rev up your metabolism, produce an endorphin rush to boost your mood, and will set the tone for a day where you’ll need lots of energy – especially if you’re playing host or hostess to house guests. In addition, most run/walk events are tied to a charity, so you’ll be giving back, too.
• Go to a parade. While the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade held in New York City is perhaps the most famous of all, many states hold turkey day parades. Gather up the family and head down to a parade near you to see the different floats, costumes, and catch some candy because, hey, candy is just what you need before chowing down on a massive Thanksgiving dinner.
• Enjoy the games. When family and friends gather together on Thanksgiving, they seem to share one love: football. Everyone gathers in the family room to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the field. If you aren’t a football fanatic, consider starting your own gaming tradition. Hold a Twister or Jenga tournament and show Uncle Joe the steady handed master you are.
• Cut the coupons. With Black Friday promising the best deals for your wallet, it is important to be prepared and know where to find those savings before waking up at 3 a.m. Seek out the best deals over a slice of pumpkin pie and to map out your shopping route to ensure you hit the best discounts in a timely manner.
• Share what you’re thankful for. Congregate around the dinner table and have everyone write down what they’re thankful for on a piece of paper and put it into a bowl. Then, pass the bowl around and have each person select one of the hand-written sentiments and read it aloud, and guess which person is thankful for what.

No matter what you do this holiday season, remember to enjoy your time with family. From our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family to yours, happy Thanksgiving!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.