Make Giving Thanks Fun -  As guests arrive, ask them to write on index cards what they are most thankful for in the past year. Collect the cards in a basket and read from them at several points during the meal. Guess who wrote each one of them.

Involve Kids - We all enjoy what we help to create. Invite others – especially children – to help cook, shop, decorate and clean up. Put crayons and drawing paper to keep young children entertained during dinner.

Tell YOUR American Story-  Tell stories about the founding of America, and then share the story of how and why your own family came to this country.

Start A New Tradition - Have everyone sign a Thanksgiving book that will stay in your family. Take a picture of the whole gathering and put it in the book (or in an online journal) to share with others and savor over the years.

Showcase Family Strengths - Ask a lawyer to discuss her favorite amendment to the Bill of Rights, a police officer to talk about constitutional rights, a businesswoman to share how recent laws have impacted her business, a third-grader to teach what he learned about the pilgrims.

Donate To Charity - Collect a small donation from every guest and let the oldest children or a special guest decide where the funds will go. You can also use the opportunity to discuss the symbols on the dollar bill.

Sing! - Everyone loves great Thanksgiving songs of gratitude and gathering. Challenge your guests to lead the company in a sing-along of patriotic songs.

Remember The Earth - Take the opportunity of celebrating the harvest to discuss ways that Americans can better help to take care of the earth and all of its natural resources.

Consider The Freedom We Have - To Travel Hang maps of the U.S. and the world. Have guests mark all the places they visited in the past year. Talk about what people learned from their travels.

Reflect On America's Freedoms -  As America's most universally celebrated holiday, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reflect on what makes our nation special and to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy. Go around the table and ask guests to complete the phrase, "I am thankful for America's Freedoms because…"