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Thanksgiving: The Holiday Built on Rituals

Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

Shari's Berries

Sent on 19 November 2023 02:06 PM

If youre like my family, on Thursday youll be enjoying turkey, stuffing, lots of side dishes, and too many desserts all wrapped up in a large serving of Thanksgiving rituals. Those activities repeated year after year are what make the holiday feast different from just another family dinner. They help build anticipation for the event and ultimately become the foundation of our memories.

The most fascinating part of rituals is how they evolve. Each year, we gather in anticipation of something familiar but keep layering on new activities and meanings. The rituals are grounded in the present, look to the future, and are rooted in traditions across generations.

Years ago, my sister Julie started one of my favorite rituals. As the dinner host, she required everyone to share one thing theyre grateful for before diving into the feast. Over the years, the answers have shifted from jokes and no comment to stories that trigger tears and deep reflection. Its a great way to catch up with everyone at the table.

A more recent McCann family ritual is Papas Turkey Tacos. It started during the pandemic when we celebrated Thanksgiving in the backyard, and I got a bit creative. The tacos were a hit with the grandkids, and they started looking forward to them as soon as the leaves began falling.

But even this new ritual has changed over the years. After ruining a few appetites on Thanksgiving Day, we moved the taco celebration to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The change gave us something to do with leftovers and more importantly, extend the holiday celebration with family and open it to neighbors and friends.

Extending your rituals

At a time when loneliness has reached epidemic proportions, we should be thinking about our rituals and how we can invite others to join in. I was reminded of this by Jay, a community member who shared a Thanksgiving memory:

I happened to be all alone on Thanksgiving five years ago, and a friend of mine sent out a blast text that said, Happy Thanksgiving. I responded with a nice note, and she wrote back and asked what I was doing. When I said nothing, she invited me to her home, and so I went. There were 14 women, and me. When I walked in, I almost died, but everyone could not have been nicer. It ended up being one of the most memorable Thanksgivings Ive ever experienced.

Jays story serves as a reminder that not everyone has a place to go on Thanksgiving. In fact, it can be one of the loneliest holidays for people who are far from their families or have lost their relatives. Thats why its important to use your power, like Jays friend, and reach out to friends. If someone has no plans, consider extending your table and rituals.

Even if you cant extend an invitation to dinner, think about other ways you can broaden your holiday rituals. If you decorate your home, why not do it along with a neighbor? Or if you partake in post-Thanksgiving celebrations or donate leftovers, why not invite a co-worker or friend to join you?

Psychologists point out that rituals are profoundly important to our lives. They weave together our culture, identity, and shared experiences, providing a structure for us to express emotions. They also create a sense of community whether its just the extended family or the whole society. Very importantly, rituals foster a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jim

Aging doesn't necessarily signify a slowdown. In fact, for many, it marks the beginning of an "encore" phase a time to pursue passions and activities previously set aside due to younger years' demands. Yet, with aging comes the need for vigilance against health changes, declining mental sharpness, and other challenges with self-care. How do we gracefully handle these complexities and enrich our golden years?

Join me on Celebrations Chatter as author M.T. Connolly delves into the intricacies and opportunities that accompany aging. Her book, The Measure of Our Age, serves as a comprehensive guide for seniors and their families, addressing care, safety, finances, and the quest for purpose and meaning late in life. We explore M.T.'s path to writing this impactful book and her dedicated advocacy for elder justice, including her instrumental role in establishing the Elder Justice Act.

Enjoy the episode and please share your thoughts at .

The Smile Farms gala

Earlier this month, our signature philanthropic partner, Smile Farms, held its Growing Together Gala at the historic Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The annual event celebrates Smile Farms and supports its critical mission of providing vocational, educational, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Thank you to all who participated in the spectacular evening. Laughter, tears, dancing, singing this years gala had it all! We beat our ambitious fundraising goals and set a record for the event.

More than 375 people attended the gala, which featured music by Captain Kirk Douglas of The Roots. The biggest surprise was Chef Geoff Sewell who went from table to table speaking to the menu before he burst out into song and had everyone singing and holding hands.

I also want to thank all our event sponsors and our incredible honoree Dina Colombo Alessi. We also are sending special shoutouts to our fantastic hosts Raphael Miranda and Gus Rosendale of NBC4 New York, and to our producers at Eventsful as well as Geoffs organization, Incognito Artists.

Were already looking forward to topping it next year. We hope youll join us.

In the meantime, dont forget to order the Smile Farrms 2023 holiday ornament, which was designed by Jennifer Intindoli, a participant at our newest campus with Catholic Health (which is dedicated to providing food to people who are food insecure). Her design was selected by you, the Celebrations Pulse community.

Show your thanks to veterans by sponsoring a wreath

On Dec. 16, volunteers from Wreaths Across America will lay wreaths on the graves of more than 3 million veterans across the United States. In addition, the organization turns the ceremony into a learning experience for thousands of schoolchildren and other volunteers.

If you want to give thanks to the men and women of the military, consider sponsoring a wreath through 1-800-Flowers.com. Sponsorships start at just $17 and will help Wreaths Across America fulfill its mission of remembering and thanking each fallen service member by name.

To read more about our work with Wreaths Across America, check out the Nov. 2 Celebrations Pulse here.

Celebrating a special retirement

Retirement parties are happy occasions tinged with sadness. On the one hand, the retiree is entering a new and exciting phase of life. On the other, a departure from the office leaves a void. Its all too easy to lose touch with the retiree.

I was thinking about this ritual of retirement when we hosted a party for Mike Keenan, our banker from Wells Fargo for roughly 20 years. Over those decades, the company has developed a very strong relationship with Mike.

Mike, thank you and congratulations!

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Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

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The most fascinating part of rituals is how they evolve. Each year, we gather in anticipation of something familiar but keep layering on new activities and meanings. The rituals are grounded in the present, look to the future, and are rooted in traditions across generations.

A more recent McCann family ritual is Papas Turkey Tacos. It started during the pandemic when we celebrated Thanksgiving in the backyard, and I got a bit creative. The tacos were a hit with the grandkids, and they started looking forward to them as soon as the leaves began falling.

But even this new ritual has changed over the years. After ruining a few appetites on Thanksgiving Day, we moved the taco celebration to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The change gave us something to do with leftovers and more importantly, extend the holiday celebration with family and open it to neighbors and friends.

Extending your rituals

At a time when loneliness has reached epidemic proportions, we should be thinking about our rituals and how we can invite others to join in. I was reminded of this by Jay, a community member who shared a Thanksgiving memory:

I happened to be all alone on Thanksgiving five years ago, and a friend of mine sent out a blast text that said, Happy Thanksgiving. I responded with a nice note, and she wrote back and asked what I was doing. When I said nothing, she invited me to her home, and so I went. There were 14 women, and me. When I walked in, I almost died, but everyone could not have been nicer. It ended up being one of the most memorable Thanksgivings Ive ever experienced.

Even if you cant extend an invitation to dinner, think about other ways you can broaden your holiday rituals. If you decorate your home, why not do it along with a neighbor? Or if you partake in post-Thanksgiving celebrations or donate leftovers, why not invite a co-worker or friend to join you?

Psychologists point out that rituals are profoundly important to our lives. They weave together our culture, identity, and shared experiences, providing a structure for us to express emotions. They also create a sense of community whether its just the extended family or the whole society. Very importantly, rituals foster a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jim

Chris

Spotify

Apple Podcast

Join me on Celebrations Chatter as author M.T. Connolly delves into the intricacies and opportunities that accompany aging. Her book, The Measure of Our Age, serves as a comprehensive guide for seniors and their families, addressing care, safety, finances, and the quest for purpose and meaning late in life. We explore M.T.'s path to writing this impactful book and her dedicated advocacy for elder justice, including her instrumental role in establishing the Elder Justice Act.

Enjoy the episode and please share your thoughts at .

The Smile Farms gala

Earlier this month, our signature philanthropic partner, Smile Farms, held its Growing Together Gala at the historic Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The annual event celebrates Smile Farms and supports its critical mission of providing vocational, educational, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Thank you to all who participated in the spectacular evening. Laughter, tears, dancing, singing this years gala had it all! We beat our ambitious fundraising goals and set a record for the event.

More than 375 people attended the gala, which featured music by Captain Kirk Douglas of The Roots. The biggest surprise was Chef Geoff Sewell who went from table to table speaking to the menu before he burst out into song and had everyone singing and holding hands.

I also want to thank all our event sponsors and our incredible honoree Dina Colombo Alessi. We also are sending special shoutouts to our fantastic hosts Raphael Miranda and Gus Rosendale of NBC4 New York, and to our producers at Eventsful as well as Geoffs organization, Incognito Artists.

Were already looking forward to topping it next year. We hope youll join us.

In the meantime, dont forget to order the Smile Farrms 2023 holiday ornament, which was designed by Jennifer Intindoli, a participant at our newest campus with Catholic Health (which is dedicated to providing food to people who are food insecure). Her design was selected by you, the Celebrations Pulse community.

Last-minute Thanksgiving inspiration

If youre like me, you wont be done preparing for Thanksgiving until... Thanksgiving Day. If youre looking for inspiration on anything from your table centerpiece to side dishes and the main course, check out these ideas from lifestyle experts Lindsay Veremis Perrault and Ziba Lennox.

Lindsay and Ziba also share some of their favorite rituals on a new page that is full of ideas and advice for making the most of Thanksgiving.

Show your thanks to veterans by sponsoring a wreath

On Dec. 16, volunteers from Wreaths Across America will lay wreaths on the graves of more than 3 million veterans across the United States. In addition, the organization turns the ceremony into a learning experience for thousands of schoolchildren and other volunteers.

If you want to give thanks to the men and women of the military, consider sponsoring a wreath through 1-800-Flowers.com. Sponsorships start at just $17 and will help Wreaths Across America fulfill its mission of remembering and thanking each fallen service member by name.

To read more about our work with Wreaths Across America, check out the Nov. 2 Celebrations Pulse here.

Celebrating a special retirement

Retirement parties are happy occasions tinged with sadness. On the one hand, the retiree is entering a new and exciting phase of life. On the other, a departure from the office leaves a void. Its all too easy to lose touch with the retiree.

I was thinking about this ritual of retirement when we hosted a party for Mike Keenan, our banker from Wells Fargo for roughly 20 years. Over those decades, the company has developed a very strong relationship with Mike.

Mike, thank you and congratulations!

Thanksgiving: The Holiday Built on Rituals

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