Between an early game of football and the big feast, I’ve always enjoyed spending a few Thanksgiving moments watching the annual Macy’s Thanksiving Day Parade. From the giant character balloons to the elaborate floats, the event must be the most-watched parade in America. The final attraction is always the transition from one holiday to the next, when the Christmas season is ushered in by Santa Claus himself!

Use that magical moment as a launching point for reading Miracle on 34th Street. The book picks up where the parade leaves off, and it’s sure to get you and your kids into the Christmas spirit.

The Book

Title: Miracle on 34th Street

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Author: Valentine Davies

Recommended Age: 9-12

Book Brief: A white-bearded gentleman who appears at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade fills in for an unfit Santa Claus-and is asked to become the store’s resident Santa. This Kris Kringle believes he is Santa, as do children from all over the city, and reindeer at the zoo nearby. A few skeptical souls try to have him declared insane, but miraculously, the State of New York, with the help of the U.S. Postal Service, come to the gent’s rescue by declaring that he is indeed Santa Claus.

About the Author: Valentine Davies (1905–1961) was a prominent Hollywood screenwriter. He was president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a member of the Writers Guild of America, which now presents the Valentine Davies Award as one of its highest honors. Davies wrote the book and screenplay concurrently, and they were released in the same year.

The Blast

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Location: Your living room (tune in to NBC)

Date: Thanksgiving

Time: 9am-noon (recorded airing)

It’s a Blast! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade in New York City presented by Macy’s department store. It features floats, bands, dancers, clowns, and other performers and attractions. The parade has been delighting live attendees since 1924 and television viewers since 1948, taking a break only during 1942-1944, during World War II. This year the parade celebrates its 80th anniversary and will feature more than 10,000 participants. It is estimated that over 3.5 million spectators will be present and an additional 50 million people will watch from home while the turkey is in the oven.

Extra tips for a Good Time:

• Don’t expect the kids to watch the whole show (3 hours is REALLY long, especially on your day off of school!). Instead pick and choose a few floats and performances to watch. The best bet is to TiVo it and start watching with about an hour left. That way you pick up all the best parts and pack it into an hour.
• Let your kids play the games on the official website. They can even create and watch their own parade!
• Watch for this year’s new balloons . . . Buzz Lightyear, Horton, and a Smurf.