Some people look at Thanksgiving as a 4-day weekend and the chance to get together with family. Others look at it as the start of the holiday season and the day before Christmas sales start. The majority of us look at the day as an opportunity to share a special meal with the ones we love and reflect back at the year and give thanks for what we have. No matter what Thanksgiving means to you there are certain elements that no Thanksgiving can be without. The first of those is the meal!Most people serve the traditional turkey with all the familiar side dishes. When selecting a turkey figure one pound per person. Not having a huge crowd this year? Cook a turkey breast instead of the entire bird, figure 1/2 pound per person when buying a boneless breast and 3/4 pound per person when buying a boned breast. Any leftovers you have you can make some Turkey Soup or Turkey Salad and enjoy your bird for another meal!
Don’t forget the sides! No self respecting turkey would be seen on the table without being surrounded by a plethora of scrumptious side dishes such as Candied Yams, Stuffing, Hot Rolls and at least one or two vegetable casseroles. Is the menu starting to overwhelm you? Then make dessert as easy as pie. Over half of Americans prefer pumpkin pie for dessert on Thanksgiving; apple pie comes in a distant second but is equally as delicious.
To a lot of people Thanksgiving means eating yourself silly then sitting and watching hours of football. Why not plan and start some new family traditions this year.
- Keep little ones busy while you are cooking with some Holiday Crafts that can double as a table center piece or place card holders.
- Make everyone write what they are thankful for on a piece of paper and put it into a hat then during dessert take turns reading the slips of paper out loud and guessing who’s thankful for what.
- Take a walk after dinner and enjoy nature.
- Rent a Holiday Classic and make it a family movie night.
- Volunteer! It may mean postponing your family dinner until later but after helping those less fortunate you’ll will enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner even more.
