Photo by Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov on Unsplash
Thanksgiving is a magical time for families, a day built around food, gratitude, and togetherness. But for dads, it can sometimes feel intimidating, especially if you're stepping up to take on a bigger role in the holiday planning. Whether you're coordinating the entire feast, herding the kids, or simply trying to savor the moment, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to create memories your family will cherish forever. Here are some practical tips—and a personal story or two—to help you nail this Thanksgiving and remind your loved ones why you're their superhero.
1. Get the Kids Involved
If there's one thing I've learned as a dad, it's that everything is better (and messier) with kids involved—but that's also where the magic happens. Thanksgiving is a prime chance for little ones to take part, from folding napkins to helping prepare the meal. A few years ago, I decided to teach my daughter how to mash potatoes for the first time. Armed with a potato masher and more enthusiasm than precision, she mashed half of it onto the floor. Instead of getting frustrated, we laughed. To this day, she still calls herself the "potato expert" whenever Thanksgiving rolls around. Including your kids might slow things down, but the memories you'll create are so worth it.
2. Plan Ahead and Delegate Tasks
Organizing a feast is no small feat. I've learned, often the hard way, that it's best to plan as much as possible ahead of time. Write out your menu, shop for ingredients early, and assign roles. Don’t be afraid to delegate—whether it's asking your partner to bake the pie, getting your teenagers to set the table, or having Uncle Joe deal with carving the turkey. One year, I decided I could handle it all by myself. Let's just say the result was half-cooked stuffing, salad still in the fridge, and a turkey that gave "fashionably late" a new meaning. Trust me, teamwork is the key to a stress-free Thanksgiving.
3. Create New Traditions
Sometimes Thanksgiving feels like it’s all about recipes and routines, but don’t hesitate to shake things up and start a family tradition of your own. A few years back, I decided to introduce a "Thanks Jar." Before the meal, everyone writes down one thing they're thankful for on a small slip of paper and tosses it into the jar. During dinner, we take turns pulling one out and guessing who wrote it. That first year, my youngest son stole the show with, "I'm thankful we have the best daddy in the world." Now it's something we look forward to every year, and it's a heartwarming reminder of what the holiday is really about.
4. Lower Your Expectations (and Just Have Fun)
Thanksgiving comes with a lot of expectations—perfect food, harmonious family moments, a clean house—and as a dad, it's easy to feel the pressure. But I’ve realized that perfection rarely leads to lasting memories. Instead, the moments that stick with you are often the unexpected ones. Like last Thanksgiving, when our turkey ended up a little (ok, very) overcooked. I was mortified at first, but as we joked about it at the table and turned the turkey mishap into a running family joke, I realized that everyone was having a great time anyway. Don’t sweat the small stuff; your family won't remember your "perfect turkey," but they’ll remember the laughter and love you shared.
5. Take Charge of the Cleanup
After the feast, when the food comas hit and everyone else is slipping into the couch cushions to watch football or chat, step up and take the lead on cleanup. It’s a simple thing that speaks volumes. Last year, I grabbed the kids after dinner and made a game out of clearing plates and loading the dishwasher in record time. Sure, there were a few spills and lots of giggling, but the work got done—and my partner got a rare chance to relax. Bonus points if you crank up some music during the cleanup to keep the energy going.
6. Make Time for Gratitude
Amid all the food and chaos, don’t forget to pause and reflect. Before dinner begins, consider leading a short family moment to express gratitude. Whether it’s a prayer, a story, or simply taking turns sharing what you’re thankful for, this helps re-center the day on its true meaning. I’ll never forget the Thanksgiving two years ago when my son, who often doesn’t show his emotions, stood up and thanked everyone for always supporting him during a tough time at school. It was one of those moments where you realize the effort you put into family life is absolutely worth it.
7. Seize the Opportunity to Connect
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food—it’s about the people. With our busy schedules, it’s rare to have everyone together in one place. Use the time to truly connect. Ask your kids how school is going, check in with relatives you rarely see, and just savor the togetherness. After all, that’s what they’ll remember years down the line. Personally, one of my favorite Thanksgiving moments was sitting on the couch with my kids after dinner, watching their favorite movie and just soaking in the peaceful aftermath of the holiday. Moments like that are priceless.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a perfect production for it to be meaningful. It’s the effort, love, and laughter that make it special. Dads have a unique role to play—whether it’s stepping into the kitchen, starting new traditions, or simply being present. One day, your kids will look back on these holidays, and it won’t be the perfectly browned turkey they remember. It’ll be the sound of your laugh, the warmth of your hugs, and the fact that you were there, making it all happen.