Put the GIVING in Thanksgiving

Many families start the meal by going around the table, each person declaring something he or she is thankful for--good health, family, etc. Some people even take Thanksgiving as a reminder to email friends or co-workers to express gratitude. (Brace yourself for all those thankful tweets.)

How about the giving part?

Here is an idea: skip the flowers. (Why cut down something beautiful only to watch it slowly die over the next few days? So morbid...) Instead, make the centerpiece of the table an empty jar. Ask people to stick some pocket change or cash in it. At the end of the meal, go around the table and ask people to suggest where to donate the funds. Warning: there will be some ridiculous ideas. There will be some widely divergent politics on display. Pick something everyone agrees is a worthy cause and organization. Better? Make the contribution anonymously. That way, its a gift truly about the giving and not the thanks.