In all the hustle, bustle and rush of Thanksgiving, it can be hard to find the time to actually, you know, enjoy it. This holiday, we’d love to help you focus on ways to enjoy your Thanksgiving rather than stress out about whether or not everyone is else is enjoying it, whether the food is “good enough,” or whatever else may be preventing you from relaxing and being mindful during the big event.
Scroll down for 5 tips for enjoying Thanksgiving that will hopefully give you the space, time and presence of mind to embrace the day – and its spirit of gratitude and joyfulness – for all its worth.
1. Write a “Run of Show” for Your Thanksgiving Day
If you’ve ever had a job in event planning, you might already know what a run of show is. If not, buckle up – because it will not only make you enjoy your Thanksgiving, it may just make you enjoy every holiday you host from here on out. A “run of show” is a detailed timeline of events that gives you total control of (and complete visibility into) the day. Start with the time you want the turkey on the table and work backwards from there. Add in when guests arrive, when items go in the oven, when the table gets set, etc. and you’ll have everyone’s marching orders laid out in black and white for all to see. Sanity: preserved. Thanksgiving: enjoyed.
2. Set Up a Food & Drinks Area Outside of the Kitchen
The key to a calm and relaxed Thanksgiving prep area is to keep it chaos-free. Minimize foot traffic, small talk and little (and big!) hands grabbing bits and bites by stocking food and drinks away from the kitchen. Keep snacks simple, like cheese and crackers, chopped veggies, and nuts, so that guests don’t go overboard before the big meal. Keep drinks simple and low-sugar as well, for both kids and adults.
3. Take Time to Get Ready for the Day
When you’ve got a lot to do, it can be tempting to rush straight into it – hair and outfit be darned. You’ll likely enjoy your Thanksgiving more if you take the time to shower and get ready at some point before the guests arrive. No one is saying you need to be prom-worthy but making that effort will also allow you to relax and catch your breath during a busy day. Play some relaxing music, light a candle, and savor the moment.
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4. Get into the Great Outdoors
If you’re wondering how to enjoy Thanksgiving, here’s probably the best tip going: get out of the house. If you and yours have been cooped up inside all day, make a point to go outside. In fact, write it into your run of show! You don’t have to play a game of flag football or run a 5k. Just a brief walk around the neighborhood or a quick toss of the softball will get those heart rates up and provide all the Vitamin D necessary to jumpstart everyone’s energy levels.
5. Slow Down and Take It In
Thanksgiving can be exhilarating and exhausting. The trick to enjoying it is to slow your roll, deepen your breath, and try to take it in – and appreciate it for what it is. The food doesn’t have to be perfect. The Thanksgiving table decorations don’t either (though we do have some great tips on that if you’re interested)! At the end of the day, what truly matters is that you enjoy your Thanksgiving. It’s truly that simple. And a good path to enjoying it is slowing down and being mindful about who you’re with and what you already have.
