More Than a Feast: Using Thanksgiving to Plan Your Family’s Legacy
Thanksgiving is almost here, and we’re all gearing up for the feast—planning menus, coordinating travel, and perfecting that pumpkin pie recipe. But let’s be real: while the food is chef’s kiss, this holiday is about so much more. It’s the perfect time to focus on something even more meaningful—your family’s legacy.
In this article, I’ll share how to use your holiday gathering to capture family stories, kickstart those legacy conversations without the awkwardness, and turn these precious moments into a solid Life & Legacy Plan that protects your values and your assets for generations to come.
This year, let’s make Thanksgiving about more than just turkey and pie—let’s make it the moment you start shaping your family’s future.
Legacy Planning: It’s About More Than Money
When people think about legacy planning, they often zero in on financial assets. But a true legacy is so much more than money—it’s the stories, values, traditions, and life lessons that define your family across generations. After guiding families through estate planning and supporting them during life’s most tender moments, I’ve learned that it’s these intangible treasures that families hold dearest.
The wisdom, experiences, and sentimental keepsakes often far outweigh financial assets in meaning—though, let’s be real, the money matters too.
Thanksgiving, with its spirit of gratitude and togetherness, offers the perfect backdrop to start exploring your legacy. Those moments spent sharing grandma’s secret recipes, telling tales of ancestors, or discussing what truly matters are the foundation of something far more enduring than a balance sheet. This holiday, let the warmth around the table spark conversations that will protect and preserve your family’s legacy for generations to come.
Turning Holiday Gatherings Into Future-Planning Opportunities
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pie—it’s also the perfect time to have meaningful (and natural) conversations about your family’s future. With a little planning, these chats can help lay the foundation for a thoughtful Life & Legacy Plan. Here’s how to make the most of your holiday gathering:
1. Talk About Family Values
While expressing gratitude—a Thanksgiving tradition—encourage everyone to share what they love most about being part of the family. These insights can guide your estate planning to reflect and preserve the values that make your family unique.
2. Discuss Family Philanthropy
If giving back is a priority for your family, use the opportunity to talk about causes that matter to everyone. This can lead to meaningful conversations about charitable giving and how it fits into your legacy plan.
3. Address Family Dynamics
Holiday gatherings often highlight family dynamics. Who are the peacemakers? Who might need extra support? Recognizing these dynamics can help you design a plan that fosters harmony and ensures everyone is cared for.
4. Share Your Own Planning
If you’ve recently started or completed your estate planning, this is a great time to share it. Try saying:
I’ve been working on something called Life & Legacy Planning to make sure everything is as easy as possible for all of you if something happens to me. I’d love to share what I’ve done and talk about what we want for ourselves as a family. Are you open to having that conversation?
Understanding your family’s values, charitable goals, and unique dynamics isn’t just about having meaningful conversations—it’s about gathering essential details to build a Life & Legacy Plan that truly serves your family for generations.
Capturing Your Family's Story: Preserving Memories That Matter
Thanksgiving has a way of bringing out the best stories—those cherished family memories that make you laugh, cry, and feel deeply connected. But here’s the thing: without an intentional effort to preserve these stories, they can fade over time. Here are a few ways to capture those special moments this Thanksgiving:
1. Record Your Family's Food Heritage
That legendary stuffing recipe isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about the family history behind it. Write down the recipe, along with the story of its origin. Who created it? How has it evolved over generations? If the original cook is still around, ask them to write it out in their own handwriting. Future generations will treasure it as much as the recipe itself.
2. Create a Family Interview Tradition
After dinner, gather the family for a storytelling session. Encourage younger members to interview grandparents, aunts, or uncles about their childhoods, life lessons, or significant family moments. Use your phone or a camera to record these conversations (with permission). It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to be authentic.
3. Share Family Artifacts
Break out those old photos, letters, or family heirlooms. These items often spark stories that reveal your family’s values, history, and traditions. Take the time to explain the significance of each piece to ensure the meaning is passed down to future generations.
Through my Planning process, I include a legacy interview to help families capture their stories, traditions, and values. Ready to make sure your family’s history is preserved for generations? Keep reading to learn how to book a call with me today!
Making Legacy Planning a Thanksgiving Tradition
Legacy planning isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s an ongoing journey that evolves with your family. Why not make it part of your Thanksgiving traditions? Here are a few ways to weave meaningful legacy-building into your holiday celebrations:
1. Create a Family Time Capsule
Each year, have everyone contribute something meaningful to a family time capsule—letters, photos, or small mementos that capture important moments from the past year. Over time, this becomes a treasured keepsake for future generations.
2. Start a Family Mission Statement
Work together to create a family mission statement that reflects your shared values and goals. Update it each year to ensure it stays relevant. This living document can guide decisions and serve as a touchstone for your legacy planning.
3. Document Family Medical History
While the family is gathered, take a few moments to update your family medical history. It’s an invaluable resource for future generations and can help guide critical healthcare decisions.
Incorporating intentional practices like these into your Thanksgiving celebrations ensures legacy planning becomes a natural part of your family’s traditions. Over time, these efforts will preserve what matters most—your shared values, stories, and goals—while creating a stronger foundation for the future.
Building a Legacy That Stands the Test of Time
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to kick off those meaningful legacy conversations, but let’s be real—that’s just the start. To truly protect your family’s legacy and make sure your wishes are honored, you need more than a chat over turkey and pie. That’s where we come in.
At 20West Legal, serving Sudbury, Massachusetts, and the Metrowest Boston area, our Planning Session goes beyond the basics of estate planning. We don’t just focus on your assets; we help you preserve your values, share your wisdom, and capture your family’s story. As your Personal Family LawyerⓇ firm, we turn those Thanksgiving conversations into a lasting legacy that will benefit your family for generations.
Ready to take the first step toward securing your family’s future? Schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation and let’s talk about how we can help you create a legacy that truly reflects what matters most. https://go.20westlegal.com/meeting-scheduler
This article is a service of 20WestLegal LLC. We don't just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you've ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office in Sudbury, Massachusetts today to schedule an Estate Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.
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