During November, many people’s thoughts have already turned to the Christmas season. But throughout many American households, another important family holiday comes first. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, reflecting on all of the wonderful things life has given us, and eating a delicious meal. Thanksgiving can also cause a bit of stress for the family members that host the gathering. Here are a few ways that your Thanksgiving can let you focus more on enjoying your time together and less about everything that can go wrong.
Get everything in advance
Don’t put off trying to find a turkey and everything else you need for your famous Thanksgiving spread. If you buy all of your items ahead of time, you won’t be fighting over the last turkey at the store. Instead of sweating profusely while diving into the store’s cooler to score the last thing that resembles a pumpkin pie, you will be at home happily preparing for the onslaught of guests that will be showing up to your door. Keep your supplies in designated areas so that when it’s time to cook, you’ll know exactly where everything, like that bottle of sage you need to season the turkey, is located. If you need more space for everyone to sit, consider buying a new dining set a few weeks before the big day.
Ask for help
While you may be convinced that no one can make mashed potatoes like you do, there is no shame in asking your brother to bring his version to complement your perfectly browned turkey. Have your family members bring an accompanying dish and save yourself the worry and the expense of having to make everything yourself. You can warm their dishes in your already hot oven while your turkey rests. With this type of setup, everyone will feel like they had a hand in creating the incredible meal and they may even save you a huge amount of dishwashing when they take their casserole dishes home full of leftovers.
Don’t focus on perfect
While many people put an immense amount of pressure on themselves to make their Thanksgiving gathering absolutely perfect, there is no reason to stress about it. Life is far from perfect so please cut yourself some slack when it comes to a single event. Do the best that you can and let the rest take care of itself. Take some deep breaths before your family arrives at your door. Put on some football, pull out some board games, and set out some pre-dinner snacks to help minimize any family squabbles. Instead of focusing on details, focus on the love of your family and all of the blessings you have received. Remember, it’s Thanksgiving, be thankful.
