Ahhhh, Thanksgiving. You can practically smell
the turkey roasting in the oven and the sweet potato casserole you’ve been
dreaming of for the past year (not to mention grandma’s famous apple pie). But
before you can gather around the table with your loved ones and share your
thoughts of gratitude, there is a lot to be done to prepare for the holiday -
regardless of whether or not you’re hosting. Check out some of our tips below
to ensure you’re prepped and ready for Thanksgiving weekend, no matter your
plans.
Prepping Your Home
Are you hosting the big
feast this year? If so, it’s probably in your best interest to plan ahead.
Preparing your home for your Thanksgiving get-together before your guests
arrive is the best way to stay on track with grocery shopping and cooking, be
fully in the moment during the meal and enjoy the holiday when it arrives. Take
some time before the big event to think about seating arrangements, decorations
and possible baby-proofing if you’ll have young children running around.
For more tips on preparing
your home for your Thanksgiving get-together, click here.
Kitchen and Cooking Safety
Cooking a whole Thanksgiving dinner can be a stressful
event (who hasn’t worried about everything finishing at the same time?). It can
also be wrought with safety hazards. Learn more about reducing fire hazards
(hint: put the deep fryer away), prepping food mindfully and child safety in
the kitchen here. Additional kitchen
safety and prep tips can also be found here.
Getting the Fridge Ready
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is undoubtedly the
leftovers. Prep your fridge for the big event by getting it clean and organized
ahead of time. In need of some organizational inspiration? Check out our tips here.
Saving Money on Groceries
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, then you know that
feeding a feast to your entire family can quickly add up. Check out these 15 tips for saving money on
groceries and help make your holiday meal a little more affordable. Another
great option? Ask everyone attending to bring a dish to pass! This will not
only put a little less strain on your budget but will also be a fun way for
everyone to be involved in the creation of the meal. Plus, everyone is bound to
have their own specialty dish that they’re eager to share.
Thanksgiving Weekend: Staying Safe on the Road
According
to AAA, it’s not uncommon for more than 50 million people to
hit the road during the Thanksgiving weekend. If you’re planning to be on the
road for the holiday, it’s important to prepare ahead of time for this popular
travel time. These are
our top tips for making your road trip safe and enjoyable this Thanksgiving.
Planning
to fly to your family’s house instead? Check out more holiday travel tips here.
Small Business Saturday
Thanks
to American Express, Small Business Saturday was created as a way for small
businesses to shine and thrive during the holiday season. Following
Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Small Business Saturday was established to
empower small businesses and keep customers shopping locally.
If you’re a small business owner, check out this article for tips on making the most of the shopping event.
On
a similar note, if you’re looking to patronize small businesses this holiday
season, use these five tips to optimize your shopping experience.
Putting Up the Christmas Tree
Wait
a second - Christmas,
already? Yep, Christmas already. Many families use the time together during
Thanksgiving weekend to prep for the next big holiday event by putting up their
tree. If you and your family are planning to travel to a tree farm to ring in
the season, then be sure to check out our tips for making the most of the outing. Nothing says cherished
family memory like a day full of hot cocoa,
Christmas carols and a freshly-cut pine strapped to the top of your vehicle!
While
running around and prepping for the holidays, it’s easy to forget about
important safety precautions that come with the fall season itself. Be sure to
check out our fall safety kit and make the most of the season.
