Have fun reading the simple tips and advice for you and your partner to use.

American Thanksgiving this year falls on Thursday, November 26. This traditional American holiday focuses on feasting with family and friends and expressing gratefulness and gratitude. Woah! What a cool opportunity to leverage the momentum of Thanksgiving and apply it to our marriages!

5 Thanksgiving Marriage Tips

1. Show and Thanks—let’s take the “show and tell” to a brand new level!

As part of the Thanksgiving holiday (with friends or family around), husband and wife plan on making a small presentation to each other—something like “show and tell” of long past school days—this time with a bit of a twist! Each couple brings something to “show” that represents their gratitude to their partner. This could be done before or after the Thanksgiving meal.

For example, to express thankfulness to my wife, I could bring a little teddy bear to her. The idea isn’t just to give the item as a gift—the item is meant to represent something! In this case, the teddy bear represents “friendship, emotional safety (for kids)”. I want to thank my wife for the enduring friendship and emotional safety I find in my relationship with her!

2. Custom of the Corn Kernel
This is a great custom to develop with a growing family—but beginning with husband and wife. Of course, the symbolism of the dried corn kernel reflects back to the origins of American Thanksgiving and the corn harvest celebrated with Pilgrims and Indians. At the Thanksgiving Dinner, after praying and saying grace—a small bowl of corn kernels is distributed. Each person around the table takes the kernel and expresses gratitude for things in their lives. Husbands and wives use this opportunity to voice gratitude for each other.

3. Tom the Turkey Gets His Day
This custom is based on the fact that the turkey was very close to becoming the United States’ National Symbol—but the American Eagle was chosen instead—despite the efforts of Benjamin Franklin, who voted for the Turkey!

Tom the Turkey, therefore, symbolizes the person with inborn greatness—though he is overshadowed and somewhat in the background.

Tom the Turkey Gets His Day is a fun way for each spouse to brag about the qualities, character, and/or accomplishments of their partner.

Bring into the open the greatness of your husband or wife—boast about them in front of family and friends! Give Tom His Day!

4. Romance Pumpkins
Take a break from the scary variety of jack-o-lanterns, and carve a romance pumpkin for a change!

Our daughter was in a pumpkin-carving contest—and carved all types of hearts into her pumpkin—it was beautiful! Decorating your home with a few romance pumpkins would be quite the conversation starter!

5. Husband Thanksgiving Day Contest
On Thanksgiving Day, send out an email to other couples you know, and announce a Thanksgiving Day Contest, intended to thank and honour wives.

The contest consists of creatively expressing gratitude publicly (in front of the group of friends you’ve invited to join the contest). Expressions may be written, video-taped, or sung. When everyone has made their presentations, together pick a winner!

Just last week, our second son proposed to his sweetheart!

This wonderful engagement of our son and his fiancée reminded us of our engagement—and, specifically, the proposal!

For most couples, the proposal is a big deal! Making sure that the element of surprise is not compromised, and that romance is everywhere are two top concerns for most couples waiting to be married.

What was your proposal story? Share with our readers what you did to prepare for “popping the big question”! Just follow this link, scroll down the page, and fill in your story!