| In our fast-paced techno-world it takes effort to | | | | write their names and something they are |
| slow down and appreciate our blessings - including | | | | thankful for on the back and return the ornament |
| the very technology we depend upon. Declare this | | | | card or feather to you. In a couple weeks you |
| Thanksgiving a techno-free day (after you read | | | | should be able to post all of the thanks on a |
| this article of course) and start some traditions | | | | refrigerator, bulletin board or wall, string them |
| beyond the feast. | | | | across a fireplace mantle, or hang them on your |
| A techno-free day means no use of television, | | | | Christmas tree. |
| DVDs, computers, video games, cell phones and | | | | Remember the families of soldiers who are |
| music/video players. | | | | deployed overseas because they are sacrificing |
| Don't take photos during the Thanksgiving dinner. | | | | their Thanksgiving holiday to serve your country. |
| Designate one photographer to take "official" | | | | Make a poster to give to a local military family. |
| photos to share with everyone the next day. | | | | Title it "We're thankful for you and your soldier." |
| Instead of a group photo, take individual photos | | | | Decorate it with well-wishes and encouraging |
| that can be used on decorations later. | | | | messages, as well as holiday colors and designs. |
| During Thanksgiving dinner each person can share | | | | You may want to include a photo of your family |
| which techno-tool they miss the most and why. | | | | and say that you are thankful for the freedoms |
| Older family members can each talk about one | | | | soldiers protect. |
| old tech tool they remember, such as black and | | | | Make Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations as a |
| white TV, 8-track tapes or wind-up telephones. | | | | family from recycled glass and mirror. Before |
| Hide a gift card for a technology store or some | | | | Thanksgiving ask a local glass shop if they have |
| music downloads under one of the seats to find | | | | pieces of leftover glass and mirror to recycle. |
| at the end of the meal. | | | | They can even custom-cut large pieces for you. |
| Some alternative techno-free post-meal activities | | | | Thick mirror and glass can be cut into simple |
| include board games, party games, and picnic | | | | shapes with rounded corners and edges for |
| games. If you're having a large family reunion, | | | | ornaments. Use paint or glitter glue to decorate |
| turn it into an olympic games of sorts with | | | | with symbols, characters, names or scenes. You |
| competition according to teams or families, and | | | | could even write events, things or people you are |
| multiple games in each category. Each team | | | | thankful for. |
| member participates in one game in each | | | | Get ready for Christmas with simple glass |
| category. Winners get different colored | | | | decorations. Round mirror can be placed under |
| construction paper turkey feathers for first, | | | | candle jars or candlestick holders to reflect the |
| second or third place in each game. The family | | | | light. You can recycle old picture frames too. Have |
| with the most feathers at the end of the day | | | | a piece of mirror cut to size and attach it to the |
| gets to take home the best leftovers. | | | | frame with glue. You paint the frame a holiday |
| If you don't have extended family with you for | | | | color and decorate the mirror first. |
| Thanksgiving, you can cut and decorate | | | | Most importantly, tell the people who are most |
| construction paper turkey feathers or index cards | | | | important to you that you are thankful for them. |
| as Christmas ornaments. Make them big enough | | | | On techno-free Thanksgiving, you may need to |
| so that people can write on the back. Mail one to | | | | write a note. Count your blessings every day, in |
| each extended family member. Ask them to | | | | every way. |