Many of us over here at SHE Magazine were not raised celebrating Thanksgiving, so for those of you who don’t partake in Turkey day, we have come up with some fun alternatives for the long weekend! 

For instance, every Thanksgiving weekend my family and I would take a trip! Instead of cooking a big meal we would all bundle up in the car and drive off on a family adventure. Through many Thanksgiving weekends, we were able to visit places such as Quebec City, Washington D.C, New York City, Chicago and many more! A road trip is a great family bonding experience for those who don’t celebrate turkey day and wish to do something a bit more adventurous! 

Seeking adventure, but not looking forward to a hefty car ride? There are many places that are within a close distance that you and the family can check out during the long weekend. Take a trip down to Niagara-on-the-lake where you can partake in the several wonderful attractions they have to offer. Everything from casinos to museums to wine tours, Niagara is a great location for a fun day trip with the family! 

Seeking adventure from the comfort of your own bed? For those who don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, the long weekend is a great time to catch up on sleep, or finally watch that movie you’ve been meaning to watch, or even catch up on some reading! Without all the meal preparations that usually concern most people this weekend, your time is your own! Do all the things you’ve been meaning to do but hadn’t found the time to. 

Start your own tradition! Just because you weren’t raised with a Thanksgiving does not mean you can't celebrate it! Call some friends, prepare some food, add your OWN spin to this long weekend. Whether it is preparing a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal or skipping the dinner and just getting together with some friends, you can create your own tradition and participate in your very own Thanksgiving celebration! 

By: Emilio Llosa