Getting Ready for Thanksgiving 

Thanksgiving is one of family favourite holidays. And a huge part of this holiday is the food that is shared with family and friends.

There are a number of ways you can prepare your special feast and most of you will probably choose the traditional one: Roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie….

Or you can choose an alternative – not so traditional way to go. That could mean still having the traditional turkey – but cooked just a little bit differently and matched with non-traditional dishes.

But first – as with all special events, organization and planning is a key:

• Make a list – at least one – and make sure you use it! The great idea is to actually have a book dedicated to special events. Your notes may be a valuable tool in the future.
• Write or print out recipes you are going to use – along with all the tips. And then make your shopping list. The trick, of course, is to make sure you bring your shopping list with you when you go to get your groceries! ( I am only saying this because I am notorious for making detailed lists and having to return home to get them)
• Take the time to pull out dishes, cutlery, glasses, napkins and decorations you are planning on using. Add what you need to purchase to your list – or make a list #2 – for items, you can’t get at a supermarket and have to visit speciality or department stores. Really good idea is to review your serving dishes – you can use coloured sticky notes to mark which dish you will use to serve which dish. You don’t have to leave these out – you can put them back into your cupboards with the stickies in them. Believe me, it will be a great help the day of your Thanksgiving dinner.
• If you are starting your planning well ahead of time, you may want to do a “test run” on a recipe you are not sure about to see how it turns out. You may avoid unpleasant surprises.
• Another tip I can give you is to set your festive table the day before your Thanksgiving dinner. It will give you the chance to re-arrange things you are not quite happy with, add special touches and avoid possible rush the day of the dinner.

Most of all – relax! This holiday is all about getting together with friends and family and celebrate! If you are relaxed – even if things are not perfect – everyone attending will still have a good time.

So – give thanks and enjoy your holiday!