15 Forgotten Thanksgiving Traditions We Should Bring Back

Here's a fun and engaging list of forgotten Thanksgiving traditions that once brought families and communities together in simple and meaningful ways.

Alyana Aguja
November 24, 2025
4 min read

15 Forgotten Thanksgiving Traditions We Should Bring Back — Joseph Gonzalez from Unsplash

This article explores old Thanksgiving customs that shaped early celebrations throughout American history. These traditions showed how people valued gratitude, community, and creativity long before modern versions of the holiday took hold. Bringing them back today could add warmth, connection, and charm to future Thanksgiving gatherings.

1. 1. Community Harvest Dances

Early American towns often held lively harvest dances the night before Thanksgiving. People gathered in barns lit with candles, shared music played on fiddles, and enjoyed simple food. This tradition created a warm sense of togetherness that made the holiday feel like a true celebration of the season.

Families once played pumpkin rolling contests and pumpkin seed spitting games during Thanksgiving gatherings. These playful activities added humor and excitement to long afternoons. They also reminded everyone that the holiday came from rural life and seasonal harvests.

3. 3. Thanksgiving Morning Church Bells

Church bells traditionally rang on Thanksgiving morning to call communities together. The sound marked a quiet moment of reflection before the feast. It set a solemn yet hopeful tone that reminded people to give thanks for another year.

4. 4. Gratitude Readings by Candlelight

Some families gathered at night to read poems, scriptures, or written letters of thanks by candlelight. This gentle ritual slowed down the pace of the day. It allowed everyone to share personal gratitude in a warm and intimate setting.

5. 5. Old Fashioned Taffy Pulls

Before large desserts became standard, Thanksgiving often ended with taffy pulls. Families made batches of warm taffy, then stretched and pulled it together. The tradition turned dessert into a group activity that sparked laughter and friendly chaos.

6. 6. Orchard Walks After Dinner

Many rural families took long strolls through nearby orchards after the meal. These walks helped with digestion and offered a peaceful way to admire the late autumn landscape. It also gave relatives a chance to talk without the noise of the feast.

7. 7. Storytelling by Elders

Older family members once led storytelling sessions after dinner, sharing tales of early settlers, past hardships, and local legends. This tradition kept history alive through spoken memory. It also brought families closer as they listened to voices filled with experience.

8. 8. Thanksgiving Shooting Matches

In some regions, communities held turkey shoots or target matches during the holiday. These contests were friendly and brought people together in lively competition. They also reflected the early American blend of celebration and outdoor skill.

9. 9. Homegrown Ingredient Challenges

Many households challenged themselves to make the Thanksgiving meal from ingredients they grew or raised themselves. This practice honored the spirit of self-sufficiency and local harvests. It also encouraged creativity in preparing dishes that depended on what the land provided.

10. 10. Handmade Table Decorations

Before store-bought décor, families crafted their own centerpieces using leaves, berries, and homemade candles. These handmade touches gave the table a natural and personal charm. They also turned preparation into a shared creative moment.

11. 11. Daylong Baking Sessions

Thanksgiving once involved nearly a full day dedicated to baking pies, breads, and pastries. Families filled kitchens with warm smells and constant activity. The long process helped build anticipation for the feast and taught younger generations important skills.

12. 12. Games of Blindfold Guessing

Children played guessing games where they identified spices, fruits, or objects linked to the season while blindfolded. These simple games kept them entertained while adults cooked. They also taught kids about ingredients and traditions in a playful way.

13. 13. Seasonal Nature Offerings

Some families placed small offerings of harvested corn, apples, or grains outside for wildlife. The act symbolized gratitude for nature’s gifts. It created a gentle ritual that connected households to the land that sustained them.

14. 14. Shared Singing After Dinner

Communities once gathered to sing folk songs or hymns together after the meal. Singing created an atmosphere of unity that lasted long after the dishes were cleared. It also filled homes with joy and reminded everyone that the holiday celebrated togetherness.

15. 15. Handwritten Blessings Under Plates

Hosts sometimes hid handwritten blessings or kind messages under each guest’s plate. Guests discovered them at the start of the meal, creating instant smiles. This small gesture made the holiday feel deeply personal and heartfelt.