having a happy thanksgiving made easy

Having a Happy

Thanksgiving

Made Easy

http://eternalspiralbooks.com/thanksgiving-spotlight

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Introduction

• Thanksgiving is the second most popular holiday in the US, (Christmas is #1). In 2015, Americans spent nearly $2.8 billion on the food alone.

• Unfortunately, estimates show that 40% of the food we buy will get thrown away

• Here’s a checklist of all the things you need to have a Thanksgiving without overspending or wasting anything.


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1-Menu Planning

• No celebration of Thanksgiving would be complete without a nice meal, but there is no need to go crazy and buy out the store.

• Menu planning means you will be organized and not overshop or overspend.

• Write down your proposed menu• Check what you already have in the pantry• Make a grocery list for all the things you will need to make the

recipes• Shop the sales in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving


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2-Decorations

• No house looks complete without Thanksgiving decorations, especially if you are hosting a party

• Get out all your decorations to sort them• Then buy any new items you need once you see

what you have• Carve or paint a fresh pumpkin with a

Thanksgiving theme, like a turkey or pilgrim


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3-Arts and crafts

• Kids love arts and crafts • It is a great way to keep them busy so they don’t go

too wild at Thanksgiving, or over the 4-day weekend• You can also decorate the house with the items they

make• Get out your supplies, find printables and projects

online, and see what they can come up with• Make it educational with an historical focus


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4-Research Food

• No Thanksgiving would be complete without a turkey these days, but what was REALLY eaten at the first Thanksgiving ?

• Have the kids do the research• Try to find a traditional recipe or two• Make creative placemats with what they

discover• Have them clip coupons and help you shop


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5-Drink

• If you are hosting a party, a pretty punch bowl will work well as a centerpiece

• Avoid alcohol if there are kids around• Be sure to have designated drivers if you are

serving booze• Make spritzers with seltzer• Offer a range of juices, such as cranberry and apple• Serve apple cider


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6-Games

• Every Thanksgiving party will need some games to keep the children entertained and work off all the sweets they are sure to eat

• Try pin the feather on the turkey• Apple bobbing is a classic• Also try:• Musical chairs• A Thanksgiving treasure hunt


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7-Activities

• Activities can keep the kids busy for hours

• Try a Thanksgiving arts and crafts table and let them make projects they can take home

• Why not host a talent show• Try charades with an historic theme• Create a collage of all the things they

are thankful for-use as placemats, or take home as favors


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8-Recipes

• Many families have traditional favorites• If this is your first time hosting at your

house, you will get a lot of advice• Also ask for food contributions• Be sure to delegate-someone can bring

dessert, others side dishes, and so on• Remember it is your holiday too, so

don’t overdo it


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9-Dessert

• Every Thanksgiving party should have at least one delicious dessert

• Dress up a cake mix by turning it into a turkey, pumpkin and so on

• Make cookies, cupcakes and cake pops with fun Thanksgiving colors and themes

• Pumpkin and apple pies are classics


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10-Favor bags

• At the end of the party, give out favors• You can organize them ahead of time in

cute little bags• Oriental Trading has cheap favors kids

love• Or, let them make Thanksgiving projects

and take them home with them.


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11-Party supplies

• Throwing a party means paper plates, cups, extra trash bags and more

• It also means Thanksgiving colors, themes and other items for your table display or room décor that can set the tone

• Check your local party store for Thanksgiving-themed serving items you can use again and again

• Orange and gold can be used for other holidays besides Thanksgiving


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12-Activities after the meal

• Have a collection of DVDs that are age-appropriate. This can give everyone time to chill out so the kids are not bouncing all over the place after eating

• You can also go for a walk or play a quiet guessing game while everyone digests

• Watching football is not obligatory if you plan ahead


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13-Making the most of your leftovers

• After the big meal, parcel up the leftovers either for people to take home, or you to make into homemade TV dinners

• Leave some turkey out for sandwiches, and freeze the rest into small portions of about 3 ounces of meat per person

• Turn into burritos, turkey chili and more• Don’t let the leftovers go to waste by being

shoved in the back of the fridge and forgotten


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Conclusion• Thanksgiving is wonderful time of year, a

chance to celebrate with family and friends• You don’t want to overspend, but you do want

to have a good time• Planning ahead means saving time and money• Start organizing your lists and bargain-

hunting, and see what an awesome Thanksgiving you can all have together.


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For more information

• For more information, visit the Thanksgiving Spotlight:






having a happy thanksgiving made easy

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