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Thanksgiving success begins with asking yourself a few questions. What matters most to you on Thanksgiving Day? What words come to mind when you envision a great holiday? What memories do you want to make? Knowing the answers will go a long way toward making your Thanksgiving celebration a blessing! Take a few minutes to really nail down what would make things special for you and those you love.
Once you decide how you want to spend your Thanksgiving Day, planning ahead for things like food prep, scheduling, decorating or traveling will mitigate some of the stress of being out of your normal routine. Give yourself some margins for error by allowing more time than usual to complete important tasks.
You will be thankful that you did! Keeping room for error will allow you to extend grace to others who didn't, by giving you space to manuever through delays or frustrations.
When laying out your plans, be sure to incorporate something that truly brings you joy, like creating a playlist that always lifts your mood. If you won't be able to make it home for the holidays, prepare or pick up your favorite foods that bring meaning to the day for the memories they ignite. Pick up a fresh apple pie from a local bakery, or make a point to stop by the grocery store and get the ingredients for a dish you have never made before but always enjoyed! Invite a friend over to help you prepare them ahead of time, making fresh memories to add to the nastalgia of holidays past.
If you will be hosting this year, consider eating a high protein breakfast to stave off getting hangry during your prep time. When you get started, try adding some special touches to your home that will spark conversation among your guests. Pull out some fun photos of your family and put them in frames around the kitchen and living space. Maybe you have some of your grandmother's serving dishes that could be brought to the table for others to recognize. If you have an antique tea pot or pitcher and don't want to use it with a crowd, try adding some flowers and using it as a center piece at the table. If you don't have nastalgic pieces to pull out, look for some cute napkin rings or place mats to bring some charm to the table.
Memory making is another element of making holidays special. Make some sugar cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for your guests to enjoy using holiday cookie cutters, lending their hand to making desert! There are excellent premade cookie doughs available at the grocery store, making this little extra even more convenient if you run short on time. Be sure to have some sprinkles, and icing on hand for those who want to get especially creative! You'll craft an experience of shared stories that will be revisited with smiles and fondness for years to come. If group baking isn't your jam, try making, a new dessert recipe to introduce a fresh tradition to your holidaying! You may just discover a delight you never knew you were missing!
After the meal and activity has passed and you are ready for some relaxation, start your rest with a reflection of everything that you are thankful for. With a heart brimming with gratitude, take stock of the blessings that surround you. When the table is cleared, allow yourself this moment of reflection. Even if you are not into journaling, having a gratitude prompt list might help you get started. It won't take long for you to be on a roll of thankfulness. Add a meditation sound to your moment and you may very well end up enjoying a marvelous Thanksgiving nap. In these quiet moments, you'll find the essence of Thanksgiving—an abundance of gratitude, a treasure of memories, and joy that lingers long after the dishes are washed. May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with warmth, love, and cherished moments. I'm grateful for you all! Happy Thanksgiving my friends!