In my family, one of the things we do during a big family get together, like Christmas, is spread out a big white linin table cloth, reusing the same one year after year until it is full and start another one, everyone present signs it with permanant maker. It is so nice and creates heirlooms for the future generations.
On my Ma’s side we all get together every year for a pool tournament. Which ever relative wins, we go to their home town the following year to hold the tournament, where we have drinks and share old and new family stories.
At the table on the night of Thanksgiving, one of us is selected to pass a fish bowl around. We all have to give thanks for one member of the family being in the family. And must stand up and read what is written down on a piece of paper by another member, placed into the fish bowl, and then picked at random.
Then the person to whom praises are given is the next to pick out of the bowl, until all people are represented. Then we all rise, before sup, make a toast to the powers that’d be…and hope in unison and (out-loudly) that we’ll all be together again the following year. Same time, next place, at another relative’s home! Then we feel truly close as a family! Another time YET around.
I love this tradition of ours!!!