Are you stressing out thinking about Thanksgiving being just around the corner? Are you a perfectionistic person and want everything to be so “right” that you are wearing your family out? Are you a young mom just trying to survive the upcoming holiday with some sanity left? If you fit into any of these categories, this article is for you.
As you begin your preparations for Thanksgiving grab a piece of paper and answer a few questions:
* What are the top three things you would like to accomplish on Thanksgiving Day?
* What is a realistic menu for you and your family? (take into consideration number of people coming and how much money you would like to spend)
* Are there things others can do to help?
For many families eating would top the list of what they would like to accomplish on Thanksgiving Day. Having a realistic menu and a budget will help you make wise choices. You do not need to cook everything yourself. If finances allow, you could purchase previously prepared items at a local deli. For what you are cooking consider items you can cook ahead of time. Find recipes and purchase items needed. You will find several great recipes on our Mentoring Moments site. Many of these can be prepared days in advance. For those items you will prepare that day, do as much prep work ahead of time and then think through a time line to be able to serve on time. Consider asking other family members to help with the meal and assign jobs each person can do. Everyone can take part and have fun!
You may have other objectives you would like to accomplish such as spend time expressing thanks. Is there a fun creative way to set your table or guide conversation that will accomplish this goal? Mentoring Moments has some great ideas! On our home page, click the Art of Homemaking in our navagational bar at the top. When it drops down you will see the link to our Recipe Box which drops down even farther for links to everything from main dishes to desserts of all kinds. For a full menu with recipes to make ahead including a cleaning schedule that does not overwhelm, Loi’s Countdown to Thanksgiving is still the best after all these years. If you are not sure how much to cook for a crowd, I wrote How Much to Cook on Thanksgiving last year.
Here are two Thanksgiving dishes from our Recipe Box:
Maple Sausage and Cranberry Dressing
Another goal may be to have time to talk as a family. Could you plan ahead to have a family member share about a memorable Thanksgiving or even play a game? Bring Your Thanksgiving to Dinner and Edible Twist on Five Kernels Tradition are both easy ways to give thanks and promote family togetherness.
Decorating for Thanksgiving should not be stressfull either. Use some natural elements right from your own backyard (or a friend’s!) A few small pumpkins and votive candles make a simple and beautiful centerpiece. Here are two Mentoring Moments crafty decorations – just remember it is all about taking the stress out of Thanksgiving and if that means no extra decorating, it’s okay.
Some families just want to watch football and play with kids. Assign clean up tasks so everyone can get to spend relaxing time.
No matter what you would like to accomplish Thanksgiving Day it will be more likely to happen if you plan ahead of time. With a good plan and preparation done ahead of time you will be more likely to achieve your goals and have a lot of fun doing it. You may also be able to relax and enjoy the day.
If Page’s post today was an encouragement to you, share it with others by forwarding or sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or pinning to Pinterest. Thank you for passing along our articles and joining with us to encourage and share the love of Christ with others.
*Affiliate links included.
About Page Hughes
Page Hughes is a Jesus loving party girl who is always ready to have fun! She has been married to Dr. Les Hughes for over 30 years and they reside in Alabaster, Alabama. Les and Page have been blessed with 4 amazing children and 4 fabulous grand children who are the source of many great illustrations. Page loves people well through ministering to their hurts, cooking delicious meals, and partying with the purpose of leading others to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Page’s goal in life is to go to heaven when she dies and take as many people as she can with her.
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