The BEST Things About Thanksgiving

It is that time of year when the temps are lower and the days are shorter. It seems like we are all longing for warmth and comfort. We crave the coziness of knit sweaters, hot beverages, and family hugs and the comfort of a satisfying dish and a seat by the fireplace. Thanksgiving is the beginning of a magical season filled with tradition and love, which is what I most enjoy. (If you’re looking for fun, family traditions to try this Thanksgiving, click here!) It is a time when are gather with loved ones to celebrate all that we are grateful, while sharing a meal.

Here are the BEST things about Thanksgiving!

Quality Time with Family & Friends – My number one reason why I love Thanksgiving (and the holiday season) is because of the quality time that is spent with loved ones! Everyone leads a busy life. While juggling responsibilities and hobbies, it can be challenging to have quality time with those that we care about most. Thanksgiving allows us to slow down and enjoy a lovely meal with family and friends, while reflecting on how lucky we are for all of the blessings in our lives.

Gratitude – Thanksgiving is based on acknowledging and appreciating all of the wonderful things in our lives. When we practice gratitude, we live with a positive outlook, are more compassionate & helpful towards others, have more self worth and take better care of ourselves. We live life with a positive and hopeful (therefore more productive) mindset. If you feel like being optimistic is a challenge for you, I encourage you to practice gratitude… and the Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to begin! For some gratitude inspiration visit these websites:

• Things that we can ALL be grateful for…
• Gratitude quotes that will inspire you to be more thankful
• 5 easy ways to be more grateful

It’s Autumn – That is an easy reason for me to love Thanksgiving, it is in November and I just love fall! The beautiful foliage, the chill in the air, the fall fashion… I love it all! Click here for some fun things to do in the fall!

Kickoff of Christmas Season – Many people consider Thanksgiving (or the day AFTER Thanksgiving) the official beginning of the Christmas season. While some people begin their prep earlier (*raises hand*) you can completely deck the halls right after Thanksgiving without people thinking that you’re in to rushing things. So after dinner cleanup and dessert, go for it… Hang the mistletoe! Decorate the tree! String the lights! It is time!

Try new recipes – Thanksgiving dinner is a great time to try out new recipes. Sure the turkey is important, but the side dishes and desserts are the main event! Search Pinterest for a yummy new recipe and get cookin’!

THE Meal – I would be amiss if I didn’t mention that one of the reasons that I love Thanksgiving is because of Thanksgiving dinner! It is the meal of the year that everyone anticipates! The roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pies… need I go on? Eating your fill, surrounded by loved ones is a win-win in my book.

Tablescape – I am someone who loves to decorate for holidays, events, dinner parties… everything! The decor and tablescape is definitely one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving. You can use small sugar pumpkins, colorful faux leaves, beautifully colored linens, chalkboard signs, elements from nature and more to transform your space in to an autumnal atmosphere.

Coziness – After dinner, nothing is better than wrapping yourself in a soft blanket and getting cozy. The food coma should pass before dessert, so snuggle up and share some memories & laughs with your loved ones while you wait for dessert.

Scents – To be honest, I am not sure if I can describe the official scent of Thanksgiving, but I love it! Is it the crisp autumn air? The roasting turkey and stuffing? Or the perfectly sweet apple pie? Or the smell of your favorite blanket? Maybe it is a combination of all of those wonderful things. *shrugs* I am all about the comforting smells of Thanksgiving and would bottle it up, if I could.

Leftovers – The perk of that unbutton-the-top-button-of-your-pants full feeling is that there is usually more where that came from! Click here for creative ways to eat Thanksgiving leftovers.

The traditions, season’s magic, food, and time with family and friends are some of my favorite things about Thanksgiving!

Please comment below on what you enjoy most about Turkey Day!