Thanksgiving and Legacy Planning

How to Preserve Family Values and Stories During the Holidays

Thanksgiving—one of the most beloved holidays—offers much more than an indulgent meal of turkey, stuffing, and pie. For all of us, it’s an opportunity to focus not just on gratitude for the present but on building a future your family will thank you for. This Thanksgiving, let’s talk about a topic often overlooked amid the holiday hustle: preserving and protecting your family’s legacy. So, et’s talk turkey about Thanksgiving and legacy planning, shall we?

Whether you’re reminiscing over grandma’s secret stuffing recipe or laughing about Uncle Joe’s legendary Thanksgiving fails, these cherished moments can spark meaningful conversations about what truly matters to your family—your values, stories, and the assets you’ve worked so hard to protect. Here’s how you can use this Thanksgiving as a launchpad for your family’s legacy planning.

A Legacy Is More Than Money

Legacy planning is more than just transferring wealth. It’s about capturing the essence of what makes your family unique. Of course, financial stability is important, but in my experience as an estate planning attorney, clients consistently tell me it’s the intangible aspects—family stories, wisdom, traditions, and sentimental heirlooms—that matter most.

Think about it: when you gather around the Thanksgiving table and share old stories or pass down a cherished recipe, you’re already contributing to your family’s legacy. These traditions and memories, when intentionally preserved, become the foundation of something much bigger—a legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.

Turning Holiday Gatherings into Legacy Conversations

Thanksgiving gatherings offer a perfect opportunity for natural conversations about your family’s future. Here’s how you can incorporate meaningful discussions into your holiday traditions without turning the vibe too serious:

1. Talk About What Matters Most

Gratitude is central to Thanksgiving, making it the ideal time to reflect on family values. Consider asking questions like:

• What makes you proud to be part of our family?

• What values do we want to pass on to the next generation?

These discussions can guide how you approach your estate plan to reflect and uphold your family’s shared values.

2. Incorporate Philanthropy

Many of us are driven by a desire to give back. Use Thanksgiving as a moment to discuss causes your family cares about. This can lead to intentional planning for charitable giving, whether through donor-advised funds, charitable trusts, or volunteering together as a family.

3. Acknowledge Family Dynamics

Holiday gatherings often reveal the unique dynamics in your family. Pay attention to who the natural peacemakers are, who might need extra support, and how these dynamics could impact future planning. For example, you might notice that one sibling is more organized and might be best suited to serve as an executor.

4. Bring Up Your Own Planning

If you’ve recently started—or completed—your estate planning, Thanksgiving is a great time to share it with your family. Consider saying:
"I’ve been working on my estate plan because I want to make things as easy as possible for everyone if something happens to me. I’d love to share my plan and hear your thoughts so that we can all feel prepared. Can we have that conversation after dinner?"

Capturing Family Stories

One of the most underrated aspects of legacy planning is preserving the rich tapestry of family history. Gen-Xers and Millennials especially value authenticity and connection. So, make capturing family stories part of your Thanksgiving tradition.

Ideas for Preserving Family Stories:

• Document Food Heritage: That family stuffing recipe? It’s not just food; it’s history. Write down the recipe along with the story behind it. Was it adapted over generations? Who introduced it to the family? If possible, ask the cook to write it in their handwriting—it’s a keepsake younger generations will treasure.

• Start a Family Interview Tradition: Hand the younger generation a phone or camera and let them interview grandparents or other relatives. Questions like, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?” or “What was Thanksgiving like when you were a kid?” often lead to wonderful stories.

• Showcase Family Artifacts: Dust off those old photo albums, heirlooms, or letters. These tangible pieces of history spark great conversations and allow you to explain why certain items are meaningful to your family’s legacy.

Building Legacy Planning Into Your Holiday Traditions

Why stop at one meaningful conversation? You can integrate legacy-building practices into every Thanksgiving gathering:

1. Create a Family Time Capsule

Each year, have family members contribute something small but meaningful—a note, a photo, or an item that represents their year. Open it together years later to reflect on your family’s journey.

2. Draft a Family Mission Statement

Gather everyone to write or revisit your family’s mission statement. What values do you collectively stand for? What do you hope to accomplish as a family in the coming years?

3. Track Medical History

Though not the most glamorous topic, updating your family medical history is crucial. Thanksgiving gatherings are often one of the few times multiple generations are together—use the moment to document this important information.

The Role of Professional Guidance

While Thanksgiving conversations can spark meaningful legacy planning, they’re only the beginning. For a truly effective plan, you need professional support. That’s where I come in. My Life & Legacy Planning process ensures that your family’s stories, values, and assets are preserved and protected.

This isn’t just about drafting documents—it’s about creating a comprehensive plan that reflects your family’s unique story. I work with families like yours to ensure the memories and conversations from your Thanksgiving table are woven into a lasting legacy.

Take the First Step

Ready to transform those Thanksgiving conversations into action? Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn how Life & Legacy Planning can secure your family’s future. Together, we’ll create a plan that ensures your family’s legacy remains intact for generations.

Let’s turn this Thanksgiving into the beginning of something truly lasting.