In our fast-paced technological world, it takes an effort to slow down and appreciate our blessings, including the very technology we depend on. Declare this Thanksgiving a day without techno (after reading this article, of course) and start some traditions beyond the party.

A tech-free day means no television, DVDs, computers, video games, cell phones, and music/video players.

Don’t take photos during Thanksgiving dinner. Designate a photographer to take “official” photos and share them with everyone the next day. Instead of a group photo, take individual photos that can be used for decorations later.

During Thanksgiving dinner each person can share which tech tool they miss the most and why. Older family members can talk about an old tech tool they remember, like a black-and-white TV, 8-track tape, or wind-up phones. Hide a gift card to a tech store or some music downloads under one of the seats to find at the end of the meal.

Some Alternative Activities After Meals Without Tech They include board games, party games, and picnic games. If you have a large family reunion, make it a kind of Olympics with team or family competition and multiple games in each category. Each team member participates in one game in each category. Winners get different colored construction paper turkey feathers for first, second, or third place in each game. The family with the most feathers at the end of the day takes home the best leftovers.

If you don’t have extended family with you for Thanksgiving, You can cut and decorate turkey feathers from construction paper or chips as Christmas decorations. Make them big enough so people can write on the back. Send one to each member of the extended family. Ask them to write their names and something they are grateful for on the back and return the embellishment card or pen to you. In a couple of weeks, you should be able to post all the thank you’s on a refrigerator, bulletin board, or wall, hang them on a fireplace mantle, or hang them on your Christmas tree.

Remember the families of soldiers who are deployed overseas. because they are sacrificing their Thanksgiving vacation to serve their country. Make a poster to give to a local military family. Title it “We are grateful for you and your soldier.” Decorate it with well wishes and encouraging messages, as well as Christmas colors and designs. You may want to include a photo of your family and say you are grateful for the freedoms soldiers protect.

Make Christmas or Thanksgiving decorations as a family with recycled glass and mirror. Before Thanksgiving, ask a local glass store if they have glass and mirror scraps to recycle. They can even cut large pieces to size for you. Thick mirror and glass can be cut into simple shapes with rounded corners and edges for embellishments. Use glitter paint or glue to decorate with symbols, characters, names, or scenes. You could even write down events, things or people you are thankful for.

Get ready for Christmas with simple glass ornaments. The round mirror can be placed under the chandeliers or chandeliers to reflect light. You can also recycle old picture frames. Have a piece of mirror cut to size and glue it to the frame. First you paint the frame with a Christmas color and decorate the mirror.

The most important thing is to tell the people who are most important to you that you are grateful for them. On Thanksgiving without technology, you may need to write a note. Count your blessings every day, in every way.