1. Watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
The ’70s wouldn’t be complete without watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. The Peanuts gang’s misadventures always seemed to mirror the chaos of real-life Thanksgivings, making the cartoon feel so relatable. It was a holiday staple, giving everyone a reason to crowd around the TV together and laugh at the timeless antics of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends.
2. The Turkey Trot Parade on TV
Before sitting down for the big meal, families would gather around the TV (all three channels!) to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In the ’70s, the parade felt magical with those giant balloons of characters like Snoopy and Mickey Mouse floating through the streets of New York. The parade was a signal that the holiday season was in full swing, and everyone would pause whatever they were doing to catch a glimpse of it.
3. The Never-Ending Football Games
After the turkey was carved and the mashed potatoes were gone, it was time to settle in for an afternoon of football. Watching the game was an unspoken tradition in the ’70s, even if you didn’t care about who was playing. It was an excuse to lounge on the couch, and for some, to sneak in a post-dinner nap. The game was background noise to conversations, laughter, and those delicious leftovers.
4. Setting the Table—Kids’ Style
In many households, setting the Thanksgiving table was a job given to the kids. This wasn’t just placing utensils—it was a carefully choreographed task of folding napkins, arranging the paper turkeys, and setting out the “good china” (or plastic, if the kids were clumsy). It felt like such a grown-up responsibility, and looking at the finished table was a source of pride.
5. The Jell-O Mold with Suspicious Ingredients
Ah, the infamous Jell-O molds of the ’70s. Every Thanksgiving spread had at least one—a vibrant, jiggly creation filled with fruit, marshmallows, or sometimes even vegetables. It was a sight to behold and a source of curiosity at the table. Whether you loved it or hated it, that Jell-O mold was a centerpiece of ’70s Thanksgiving dinners and always sparked some conversation.
6. The Kitchen Buzzing with Activity
The kitchen on Thanksgiving morning was a hive of activity. Moms, grandmas, aunts—everyone seemed to have a task. There was the frantic mashing of potatoes, stuffing preparation, and, of course, the turkey basting. For kids, sneaking in for a taste or getting underfoot while trying to help (or sneak an extra roll) added to the excitement.
7. The “Children’s Table”
For families with lots of kids, the children’s table was an inevitable part of Thanksgiving. This wasn’t just a separate table—it was a whole experience. Sitting at the children’s table was where the real fun happened. Whether you were passing secret jokes, playing with your food, or just making faces at your cousins, it was a riot of fun, away from the adults’ watchful eyes.
8. The Long Drive to Grandma’s House
Thanksgiving in the ’70s often meant piling the whole family into the station wagon for a long drive to grandma’s house. No GPS or smartphones—just a folded paper map, a trusty thermos, and lots of snacks to keep the kids entertained. Those drives, with the anticipation of a feast ahead, were a big part of the experience, and nothing felt better than arriving to the smell of turkey and pies.
9. The Tupperware Bounty
After dinner, the host’s kitchen was overtaken by Tupperware—bright orange, green, and yellow containers filled with leftovers for family members to take home. Tupperware was everywhere in the ’70s, and the iconic sound of lids snapping shut as you packed away food was part of the post-feast ritual. And let’s not forget the Thanksgiving gravy spilling in someone’s car on the way home!
10. Pilgrim and Turkey Crafts from School
Thanksgiving in the ’70s came with homemade crafts that kids brought back from school—construction paper Pilgrim hats, hand-traced turkeys, and cornucopia centerpieces. Proudly displayed on the fridge or the dining table, these little crafts were a reminder of simpler times and the anticipation leading up to the holiday break.
11. The Endless Leftovers
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving in the ’70s was opening the fridge the next day and finding it stuffed with leftovers. Turkey sandwiches, reheated stuffing, and cold slices of pie were often enjoyed for days. The smell of Thanksgiving lingered throughout the house, and there was a certain comfort in enjoying the same flavors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
12. Sneaking the First Slice of Pumpkin Pie
While the turkey was the star of the show, dessert was the highly anticipated finale. And in the ’70s, the pumpkin pie was king. The first slice was always special, and many of us tried to sneak a piece before everyone else could get to it. Paired with a dollop of whipped cream (or two), that first bite was pure holiday magic.
13. Thanksgiving Day Dress-Up
Back in the ’70s, Thanksgiving was often a time for getting dressed up, even if you weren’t going anywhere special. Whether it was a plaid suit, a collared dress, or something just a little fancier than usual, Thanksgiving meant putting on your best for a special family gathering. After all, pictures were likely to be taken for the family album.
14. The Moment of Thanksgiving Grace
Before everyone could dive into their plates, there was that quiet moment of grace—a tradition in many homes in the ’70s. It was a pause to give thanks, recognize togetherness, and appreciate the blessings of family. The smell of the feast filled the room, everyone held hands, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
There’s no doubt Thanksgiving in the ’70s had its own unique charm. From the colorful Jell-O molds to the heartfelt family moments, it was a time when the holiday felt personal, simple, and centered around togetherness. Those memories, though they may seem small, still warm our hearts as we gather around the table today.
