How to Bring People Together on Thanksgiving: A Guide to Creating Meaningful Shared Moments

Thanksgiving is one of the few times in the year when people pause their daily routines, gather with family and friends, and reconnect over food, stories, and laughter. But coming together isn’t automatic — especially when people are arriving from different places, juggling schedules, or meeting each other for the first time. Creating genuine connection takes intention, planning, and a few thoughtful touches that make everyone feel included. In recent years, many families have found small digital tools that help them share memories more easily, giving everyone a sense of belonging without taking time away from the celebration.

Make the Gathering Welcoming for Everyone

One of the most powerful things you can do during Thanksgiving is make every person feel seen, even if they’re not part of the usual guest list. Simple gestures — a personalized welcome card, a seat assignment with a fun fact about the person next to them, or a shared gratitude jar — can help turn strangers into friends. The more interactive the environment feels, the faster the group warms up. Some families also include a shared photo activity so that everyone contributes something, even if it's just capturing small candid moments throughout the evening. Tools that don’t require apps or logins make this especially easy, and everyone tends to participate more freely.

Create Shared Activities That Spark Conversation

Thanksgiving conversations often flow naturally, but a little structure can help break the ice. Board games, card games, and storytelling prompts are classic options, but group activities work even better when they create shared memories people can look back on later. Some hosts place a card with a prompt at each table setting: “Share a childhood memory,” “Tell us about your favorite Thanksgiving dish,” or “Say something you’re grateful for this year.” These moments, when captured through a simple group-friendly photo tool, often turn into some of the warmest keepsakes of the night.

Capture the Celebration Together, Not Just on One Phone

In many families, one person ends up being the designated photographer. They miss out on moments, and all the photos stay stuck on one phone. Thanksgiving is far more enjoyable when everyone can participate in capturing the story of the day. Modern families often use a shared photo link so everyone can snap pictures from their own phone — no app, no downloading, no accounts. People simply scan a QR code and add their photos to a shared album. A simple browser-based tool like JoinMyMoment makes this feel like a digital disposable camera for the group, keeping the focus on togetherness rather than technology. Guests enjoy watching new pictures appear live throughout the meal, and the final album becomes a collective memory of the day.

Include Remote Family Members So They Still Feel Connected

Not everyone can travel for Thanksgiving — but that shouldn't mean they feel left out. Many hosts set up a video call for part of the evening or create a shared online space where remote family members can upload their own photos of the day. It’s a simple gesture that makes distance feel smaller. Combining this with a shared photo system guarantees that everyone, whether in the dining room or hundreds of miles away, contributes to the same album. It’s a heartfelt way to bring the whole family together when geography gets in the way.

Build New Traditions That Will Last for Years

Traditions don’t have to be elaborate; the best ones are often simple rituals that bring people closer. Some families take a group picture every year, others write notes of gratitude and save them in a jar, and some host an annual walk, game, or outdoor activity. Creating a shared space for photos — whether a digital album or a memory board — helps preserve these traditions and gives everyone something to look forward to. A light, app-free tool like JoinMyMoment lets people relive those moments instantly and makes it incredibly easy to keep these memories organized year after year.

If your goal this Thanksgiving is to bring people closer, small choices make a big difference: the activities you plan, the atmosphere you create, and the way you help everyone share memories. When people contribute their own perspectives and photos, the day becomes more than a dinner — it becomes a shared story. And with simple digital tools designed for groups, keeping that story alive has never been easier.