A Season of Gratitude

We hope this letter finds you well on this late November Sunday, a quiet day of rest after a week filled with Thanksgiving gatherings and the bustle of holiday preparations. Here in the Heartland, the air has turned crisp, the fields are bare, and families are reflecting on the season's blessings. The Amish community has spent the past week in both celebration and hard work, balancing the joy of Thanksgiving with the demands of preparing for Christmas and fulfilling the many orders of handcrafted baskets that travel from their shops to the shipping barn, and eventually to homes across the country.

Thanksgiving among the Amish is both familiar and unique. Families gather around long tables laden with food, often choosing to sit together rather than cafeteria style, which makes the meal feel more intimate and meaningful. Turkey has become a centerpiece for many, though some remember when it was not always part of the feast. One woman recalled the first time her husband surprised her by bringing home a turkey, and how that small act became a cherished tradition. The meal itself is hearty and homemade: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, garden vegetables, and pies baked days in advance. After the meal, leftovers are often turned into casseroles layered with turkey, potatoes, gravy, and dressing, reheated for supper if guests linger. It is common to send food home with visitors, ensuring that the blessings of abundance are shared.

Evenings after the big meal vary. Some families enjoy quiet reflection, while others gather for games and fellowship. Hymns such as "Bringing in the Sheaves" and "Come and Dine" may be sung, reminding everyone that gratitude is not just spoken but lived. In some families in years past, children baked cut-out cookies to share with neighbors and even left them in the mailbox for the mail carrier, a simple gesture of kindness that reflects the Amish belief that gratitude brings more blessings.

The days following Thanksgiving are filled with visiting if relatives remain in town, and with preparations for the Christmas season. Homes are cleaned, extra beds readied for guests, and food prepared for upcoming gatherings. Many Amish families choose to celebrate either Thanksgiving or Christmas with extended family, but not both, so each holiday retains its own special meaning. Quilting and sewing projects are often planned during this time, as the harvest is complete and outdoor work has slowed. Gratitude naturally flows into Advent, where thankfulness inspires giving, whether through homemade gifts, shared meals, or time spent together.

The shipping barn has been alive with activity these past few days. The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are always the busiest shipping days of the year, as spouses, children, and even visiting relatives gather to help pack and prepare baskets for delivery. The atmosphere is festive, filled with laughter and friendship as families work side by side. Makeshift tables are set up so children can linger, draw, and share in the joy while parents pack boxes and share food. Starting this coming week, every spare moment will be spent weaving, with families focusing on replenishing the baskets that sold out earlier.

Now, on this Sunday after Thanksgiving, the pace slows. The shipping barn, which buzzed with energy, has grown quiet, yet the spirit of those bustling days lingers. Some of the children's drawings even found their way into boxes that were shipped… Tucked inside with love and gratitude. For those who receive a basket in the coming weeks, that joy and thankfulness will be carried forward, a reminder that each order is touched by the hands and hearts of the families who made it.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few happenings the families dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com have shared with us this week.

The Yoder Family

Thanksgiving evening brought unexpected excitement to the Yoder farm. As the family sat together in their living room, a sudden pop and the sound of honking drew them outside. A small black car had stopped not far from their home, smoke rising from under the hood. The driver, a mother distracted by her children in the back seat, had struck a deer. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Soon, the sheriff and ambulance arrived, lights flashing against the quiet country road. The deer lay in the ditch, its antlers shattered, and the deputy handed the Yoders the papers to claim it. Their dogs are now enjoying the venison, a surprising gift from an otherwise tense evening.

The Mast Family

Earlier in the week, Rosa Mast hosted a Sister's Day at her home, a tradition that brings joy and companionship. Her sister joined her to prepare the house for Thanksgiving, scrubbing walls, polishing woodwork, and washing windows until everything gleamed. They shared a potluck lunch of casserole, noodles, and applesauce, followed by a blueberry pie that Rosa had baked. As they worked, the sisters caught up on family news and shared laughter. Before leaving, they ironed and hung clean curtains, giving the home a fresh, welcoming look. The day was both productive and memorable, blending hard work with the warmth of sisterly fellowship.

"Reaching out to touch the hearts of others is too often a neglected blessing."

— Amish Wisdom