It's that time of year! Thanksgiving is this Thursday. Families have different traditions in which they celebrate this holiday, so you have to ask yourself: What do I need to do to make this Thanksgiving the best yet? Well, you've come to the right place! This is the ultimate to-do list for all things Thanksgiving Day:
1. Wake up early and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC
It's an annual Thanksgiving morning tradition. Floats ranging from Snoopy to Spongebob, performances from marching bands and casts of upcoming and current Broadway musicals, and lip-synced musical acts on several floats encompass this New York spectacle. As always, Santa Claus makes a guest appearance on his sleigh for the big finale.
2. Help the family out by assisting in preparation of the Thanksgiving meal
Ever wondered how to cook a turkey? Whether your family prefers to bake the turkey or fry it, being involved in the meal preparation is great way to find out the answer! Other fun foods to help prepare include mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, hot dish (just to please all you Northerners), and the various assortments of pies. Sorry if I made you suddenly hungry!
3. Football, Football, Football! (4 games to be exact)
Four games (3 NFL, 1 college) on the docket this year for Thanksgiving: Vikings-Lions (go Vikes!), Redskins-Cowboys (how 'bout them Cowboys?!), Steelers-Colts (Luck be an Andrew), and LSU-Texas A&M (Geaux Tigers!). If you're not a football person, there is always the National Dog Show.
4. You can finally put on Christmas music!
I don't know about everyone else, but my family's rule regarding Christmas music is that not a note of it should be played until we reach Thanksgiving. Feel free to have this music be in the background during this great holiday. You and your family will appreciate it.
5. Catch up with relatives you haven't seen in a while
Perhaps the best thing about Thanksgiving is that you can catch up with aunts, uncles, and cousins you haven't seen or spoken to in a long time. Life gets busy and it is comforting to have a day where everything slows down and you can enjoy time with extended family.
6. Be bold and make your own Thanksgiving dish to share
Personally, I've always wanted to include a buffalo chicken dip side dish for whatever reason on Thanksgiving (might do that this year). If you've ever wanted to get the creative juices flowing and wanted to share a unique concoction with a large group of people, Thanksgiving is the way to do it!
7. Eat (this one's obvious)
The Thanksgiving meal is definitely the highlight of this holiday. You have so many options to choose from (just make sure to include turkey) and it might be the only super meal you have all year.
8. Got to have a slice of pumpkin pie (among other desserts)
Make sure to save some room for dessert! Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, coconut cream pie, apple pie, cherry pie, chocolate pie, you can't go wrong! Again, sorry if I made you hungry!
9. Save leftover turkey and ham for sandwiches
Almost always is there leftover turkey and ham from Thanksgiving dinner. The best way in order for all of that meat not go to waste is to use it for sandwiches. Believe me, they will the best sandwiches you will ever have and I did not quote that from Donald Trump.
10. Take a nap via food coma and sugar crash
You won't be able to avoid it. It will happen. A longer than usual nap will occur after a large consumption of meats and starches along with a copious amount of sugar from dessert. Now those are the best kinds of naps!
11. Lastly, be thankful!
It's called Thanksgiving for a reason. We should be thankful for the people and the things we have in our lives everyday, but for Thanksgiving, let's be a little extra thankful.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone, and thank you for reading this article! (Ah, see what I did just there?)
