Tamela Mann Shares Her Heartwarming Thanksgiving Tradition and Why She Opens Her Home to Others (EXCL)
The Grammy-winning gospel star shares how faith and gratitude ensure no one feels alone on Thanksgiving
Key Takeaways
- The gospel star opens her home to those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone.
- Tamela shares how faith, gratitude and family make Thanksgiving so meaningful.
- Her Thanksgiving tradition includes gathering loved ones to share what they're grateful for.
One of the most acclaimed voices in gospel music, Grammy Award-winner Tamela Mann has had 13 No. 1 singles and her music has earned more than a billion streams. This fall the Texas native celebrating the 10th anniversary of her One Way album, which featured “Change Me,” “Potter” and the Grammy winning “God Provides.”
As the holidays approach, Tamela is also excited to have a new Christmas EP that will include original songs as well as her take on seasonal favorites. “I’m doing a medley of ‘Silent Night’ and ‘O Holy Night’ together with a young man, Phil Bryant, who is my producer,” she tells Woman’s World as our cover star this week (get your copy here). He’s singing it with me, and I love the arrangement that we have.”
Tamela Mann shares why Thanksgiving is so important to her
As busy as her career is, family has always been her priority and Thanksgiving at the Mann house is a special time. “Thanksgiving to me is so important to give thanks back to God just for the opportunity to be alive and to be together,” says Tamela, who always cooks a big feast for family and friends.
“On Thanksgiving, we come in a big circle and we pray. And as we go around the circle, I encouraged the family to share something that they are grateful for. So many people don’t even have a family to be with, and I really open my house up to a lot more guests because I know a lot of young ladies that have lost their moms and I’ve become their bonus mom or their aunt. I’m just Mama Tam.”
Thanksgiving at the Mann house is definitely a memorable event. “Sometimes we get up to 60 people, but no, no less than 35,” she says of their large gatherings. “It’s usually a lot of us, and then somebody always brings somebody. I don’t ever want anybody to feel like they’re left out.”
Tamela shares her spiciest new kitchen addition
Tamela also loves to cook, and has created her own Mama Mann’s Kitchen Seasoning Blend Collection which highlights her favorite flavors. “Garlic is one of my favorites, so I created a garlic mix for people who really don’t want much salt at all, but still want flavor,” she smiles. “Then another time I was playing around, and I came up with Just for Pie that you can use in your desserts. I’ve used it in cobbler and on my yams. I’ve used it in coffee. David helped me create the All Things Blackened seasoning. I’m proud of the line because we did it ourselves.” (She’s offering Woman’s World readers 15 percent off Mama Mann’s Kitchen Blends with the Promo Code: MMKWW. Expires 12/31/26.)
Tamela shares what she’s most grateful for this Thanksgiving
As Tamela sits down with family and friends this year, she is mindful of all her blessings. “I’m just so grateful to God for being faithful to me, and I just want to be faithful to Him in the things that He’s given us to do,” she says. “I try to be the best representation of Him that I can.”
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