Thanksgiving might look a little different when you’re living abroad — but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. Whether your family is serving turkey in Tbilisi or pumpkin pie in Pretoria, these simple ideas will help you bring warmth, gratitude, and togetherness to your table — wherever you are in the world.

🦃 1. Engage Locally

Most Foreign Service families won’t be driving to Grandma’s this year, but we can gather around the table with friends new and old. Try these simple ways to make the holiday meaningful:

• Invite a Marine to join your family.
• Include a single person, couple, or single parent with kids at post.
• Invite a locally employed staff member to share an American tradition.
• Celebrate on a different day (or more than once!) to include friends who don’t get the day off.

✨ Connection is what Thanksgiving is all about.

🍂 2. Make a Thankful Tree

This simple craft can become a treasured yearly tradition!

You’ll need:

• Construction paper or a printable tree trunk template
• Paper leaves (cut your own or order pre-cut ones)
• Markers, tape, and a basket for supplies

Throughout November, encourage family and friends to write what they’re thankful for — big or small (“my friends,” “jellybeans,” “my pet”). Add the leaves to your tree and watch it grow! Don’t forget to take a photo before you take it down.

👉 Prefer to buy one ready-made? Try a Thankful Tree kit on Amazon.

🎬 3. Movies, Crafts & More

Keep the fun going with these simple activities:

• Pick up Thanksgiving-themed craft kits to share with the neighborhood.
• Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (25 min).
• Learn a bit of history with PBS’s “The First Thanksgiving”.
• Stream Saints & Strangers (available on Amazon/iTunes).
• Make “Gobbler Goodies” using Oreos, candy corn, and cereal treats.
• Have the kids make place cards for dinner with folded index cards and stickers.

From all of us at U.S. History Worldwide — Happy Thanksgiving!
May your table be full, your hearts thankful, and your traditions meaningful no matter where in the world you’re celebrating.