As your friends and family gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, consider enriching your festivities with a with a Stone Soup Community Gratitude Thanksgiving Party. Drawing inspiration from the enduring narrative of Story of Stone Soup, this tradition will ignite the spirit of unity and sharing. If The Story of Stone Soup is unfamiliar, read the BPALiveWire version below. For those already familiar with it, check out our 10 steps to craft your Stone Soup party and start a meaningful family tradition.
1 Invitations: Send out invitations that tell the story of the Stone Soup, emphasizing the theme of community, gratitude, and sharing. Encourage guests to bring a single ingredient to contribute to the communal soup. If you send electronic invitations, you can link to our Stone Soup story. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FREE CANVA INVITATION TEMPLATE.
2 Setting the Scene: Create a cozy and communal atmosphere by arranging seating in a circle, reminiscent of the town square in the Stone Soup story. Use rustic decorations and soft lighting to enhance the warmth and unity of the gathering. Let the music help set the scene with songs of gratitude.
3 The Empty Pot: As guests arrive, have an empty pot displayed prominently. Share the story of the Stone Soup and invite each guest to add their ingredient to the pot, emphasizing the power of collaboration and generosity.
4 Ingredient Suggestions: Provide a list of suggested ingredients that would complement a hearty soup. This could include vegetables, herbs, spices, and even pre-cooked proteins. Encourage variety to ensure a flavorful and well-balanced soup.
5 Soup Chef Hat and Apron Selfie Station: Set up a selfie station with chef hats and aprons for guests to wear as they contribute their ingredients. This adds a playful touch to the experience. Create a hashtag for your event. Tag BPALiveWire in your photos. Use our hashtag #BPALiveWireGratitude
6 Cooking Together: Once the pot is filled with a variety of ingredients, let the communal cooking begin! Assign a designated soup chef or take turns stirring the pot. Encourage guests to mingle, share stories, and enjoy the process of creating something special together.
7 Entertainment and Activities: Plan activities that promote interaction and gratitude, such as a communal art project, storytelling session, or a gratitude jar where guests can write down what they're thankful for.
8 Festive Decorations: Enhance the Thanksgiving atmosphere with festive decorations like autumnal centerpieces, candles, and seasonal colors. Consider incorporating elements that reflect the spirit of the Stone Soup story.
9 Feast and Celebration: Once the soup is ready, invite everyone to gather around for a communal feast. Serve the Stone Soup with crusty bread and invite guests to savor the flavors they've collectively created.
10 Gratitude Wall and Share Stories of Gratitude: Set up a gratitude wall where guests can write or draw what they are thankful for. This visual representation of gratitude can be a beautiful keepsake for everyone to take home.
The Story of Stone Soup
One of my favorite stories growing up is the Story of The Stone Soup. For those unfamiliar with the story, in the late 1880s, a poor weary traveler was passing through a small town. He was hungry, but the townspeople did
n't know him. They didn't trust him. So when he stood on a corner and asked for food in exchange for work, the townspeople crossed to the other side of the street or passed him by pretending not to see or hear him.
Well, the next day the traveler to the one possession that he had an old cast-iron kettle. He stood in the center of town and started a fire to boil water in the kettle. He took beautiful stones that he had cleaned off in the creek and placed them in the boiling water.
“Mmm mm my this is delicious,” he said tasting the soup, but it sure would be even better if we had some potatoes.
A man passed and said, “I have two potatoes, if you add them to the soup, may I have a bowl?”
The traveler turned soup chef, replied, “Delightful. Of course!” He took the potatoes and added them to the soup. After a few minutes of boiling, he said, ‘This is mighty delicious soup. It sure would be good if we had, some tomatoes.
Continuing his culinary charade, the traveler, now the town's honorary soup chef, suggested, "This soup is truly coming along, but imagine how much more flavorful it could be with the addition of some tomatoes." A woman passing by overheard and chimed in, "I happen to have a basket of ripe tomatoes from my garden. If I contribute them, can I also partake in this communal feast?" The traveler beamed, "Absolutely, my friend! Your tomatoes will make a wonderful addition."
As the pot bubbled away, its enticing aroma began to draw more curious townsfolk. The initial skepticism and hesitation transformed into a shared excitement. One by one, people started to emerge from their homes, carrying various ingredients—carrots, onions, herbs, and even a few pieces of leftover meat. The once-silent town square became a bustling hub of collaboration and camaraderie.
The soup chef continued to play his role with gusto, tasting the soup at intervals and exclaiming, "Ah, this is becoming the most delectable soup I've ever had, but a pinch of salt would truly elevate the flavors." A little girl eagerly offered her tiny bag of salt, asking, "Can I help make it taste even better?" The traveler nodded appreciatively, "Indeed, your contribution will make a world of difference."
The scene unfolded like a heartwarming dance—a community coming together, each person contributing a small part to create something much greater than the sum of its ingredients. Laughter echoed, stories were shared, and a sense of unity enveloped the town square.
Finally, after hours of simmering, the soup reached its peak of perfection. The once-empty pot, now brimming with a rich, robust concoction, was ladled into bowls for everyone to enjoy. The townspeople marveled at the delicious soup they had collectively created and shared knowing smiles of gratitude.
And so, The Story of the Stone Soup became more than just a story; it became a living tradition in the small town. Every year, as Thanksgiving approached, the townspeople would gather with their ingredients, reenacting the timeless narrative of generosity, trust, and the joy of coming together. The Stone Soup tradition carried on, a reminder that even the simplest act of sharing can create a feast of abundance and warmth.