Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, gratitude, and gathering with loved ones. It’s a traditional holiday, from watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade to enjoying Grandma’s famous pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving celebrations create lasting memories as families reconnect over nostalgic sights, smells, and flavors.
Here are 50 Thanksgiving Writing Prompts to get you in the mood to be with family and feast. Sometimes, it’s nice to write something that brings out nostalgia, or these prompts will inspire longer pieces. Either way, we hope you enjoy them.
We love reading holiday pieces so that you can post your results below, or if they turn out well, submit them for publication. Also, if you have suggestions for this list, please post those down as well. Happy Thanksgiving and happy writing from Every Writer.
- Write about your earliest childhood memory of Thanksgiving.
- What are you most thankful for this year?
- Describe your ideal Thanksgiving meal.
- If you could have Thanksgiving dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
- What is your family’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition?
- Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of your family’s Thanksgiving gatherings.
- Tell the story of a particularly memorable Thanksgiving you experienced.
- What food do you most look forward to eating on Thanksgiving?
- Which family member’s cooking do you enjoy the most on Thanksgiving?
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert? Write about a memorable experience with it.
- If you could add or change one food item on the traditional Thanksgiving menu, what would it be?
- Do you have any funny Thanksgiving stories? What happened?
- What are you thankful for about autumn?
- Write about a time you felt especially grateful.
- What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
- What is your family’s Thanksgiving history?
- Describe the perfect Thanksgiving weather.
- What TV specials do you enjoy watching on Thanksgiving?
- Do you volunteer or donate around Thanksgiving time? What organizations or causes are important to you?
- Tell about a Thanksgiving tradition you’d like to start.
- If you could travel anywhere for Thanksgiving, where would you go?
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving activity?
- Write a poem about Thanksgiving.
- What is your favorite childhood Thanksgiving memory?
- What are the three words that come to mind when you think of Thanksgiving?
- Describe your ideal Thanksgiving table setting.
- Tell about a memorable Thanksgiving mishap or disaster.
- Write a story from the perspective of a Thanksgiving turkey.
- If you could be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, what would your float look like?
- Imagine you could go back in time to the First Thanksgiving. Write a story.
- Do you enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers? What is your favorite?
- Make a list of things to be grateful for.
- Write a blessing or prayer for Thanksgiving.
- What are you looking forward to most this Thanksgiving?
- What is your favorite place to celebrate Thanksgiving?
- Describe the worst Thanksgiving meal you’ve had.
- Do you have a funny or favorite Thanksgiving memory?
- Imagine you wake up on Thanksgiving as a pumpkin pie. Describe your experience.
- If you could speak to a turkey on Thanksgiving Day, what would you say?
- Write ten things that make you feel cozy on Thanksgiving.
- Describe your worst experience cooking Thanksgiving dinner.
- What are three non-food related things that remind you of Thanksgiving?
- Make up your own origin story for one of the traditional Thanksgiving foods.
- Imagine aliens came to experience Thanksgiving. Describe it from their perspective.
- Write a Facebook status update capturing your Thanksgiving celebrations.
- If you could add a new activity to your family’s Thanksgiving traditions, what would you add?
- Describe the clothes you like to wear on Thanksgiving and why.
- What is the most unusual or creative dish you’ve had for Thanksgiving dinner?
- Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving movie? What is it and why?
- What are you thankful for about writing?
If you liked our list, or if it was helpful, let us know below, and remember if you liked the results of these prompts, send them to us!
Richard Everywriter (pen name) is the founder of EveryWriter and a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry. With degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology, and Education, Richard has dedicated two decades to teaching writing and literature while championing emerging voices through EveryWriter's platform. His work focuses on making literary analysis accessible to readers at all levels while preserving the rich heritage of American literature. Connect with Richard on Twitter Bluesky Facebook or explore opportunities to share your own work on ourSubmissions page. For monthly insights on writing and publishing, subscribe to our Newsletter.
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From that very moment that door rings, and hearing cheerful ring tone. As the door then opens and greeted with that warm hug and a sweet kisses on my kiddo’s cheeks. Because this has come a traditions when upon arriving the smell of pies and cakes most fill the hallway.. As all eyes are guided to the side dishes that laid on the buffet table the sweet potato stuffing , potatoes salad, bake macaroni and cheese ,whole grain brown rice and white with black eye peas too. And the homemade mashed potatoes, with lumps made with grandma love. Butter dinner rolls hot and ready;to be place on the side of plates. Vegetable ! not many besides corn on the cob and broccoli with melted cheese always make me smile. And now on to the main event a butterball 14 lbs Turkey ,and of course stovetop stuffing on the side and gravy from scratch slowly poured out . Over the sounds of joy and laughter .When our family get together on Thanksgiving.