Ready or not, Thanksgiving is almost here. Now that Halloween is over, we’re swapping candy for pie and ghosts for pilgrims. Thanksgiving is the holiday of gratitude, reflection, and most importantly, food. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, creamed corn, I’ll take it all! Here are 5 ways to prepare for Turkey Day (besides stretching your stomach to make room for ALL the goodies when the day arrives, obviously).
1. Work Now, Play Later
Does anyone really do homework over Thanksgiving break? The answer is, you shouldn’t. Break is for spending time with friends and relatives who you haven’t seen in months and giving yourself a mental break. Work hard to get all of your obligations out of the way now, so you can play at home. You’ll be able to fully enjoy snuggles with your dog and wine nights with friends with no lingering assignments hanging over your head.
2. Journal
Look around – there’s so much to be grateful for. At the end of the day, write down three things that you’re thankful for. It could simply be the cup of coffee you drank that morning, or the adorable dog you saw on your walk to class. Take the time to reflect on the simple pleasures of life. If you really think about it, even the worst day is filled with little moments of happiness. Appreciate them! Bonus: after the next few weeks, you’ll have an entire journal full of ideas ready for when it’s your turn to say what you’re thankful for at the dinner table come Thanksgiving day.
3. Find a Yummy Recipe
We’re in college now – it’s time to do more than set the table to help your parents host the family for Thanksgiving. Surprise them by arriving armed with a killer recipe that’ll have guests passing up the traditional stuffing for your new, fancy appetizer. But really, it can be something as simple as a fruit platter – just a gesture to show that you want to contribute. They’ll appreciate it more than you think.
4. Plan Your (Stretchy) Outfit
There’s nothing worse than eating a massive, delicious meal, feeling extremely content with it, and then your waistband starts digging into your tummy. We don’t need to feel full after we’ve stuffed ourselves; we want to live in denial, believing that the copious amounts of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie we ate were completely normal. Find an outfit that’s just as comfortable as it is cute. Flowy dresses give the impression that you’re dressed up, when in reality, it feels like you’re wearing a nightgown. Don’t let your outfit ruin your post-Thanksgiving dinner high (we’re talking to you, jeans.) Eat, eat, eat – that’s what Thanksgiving is all about!
5. Tell People Why You’re Thankful for Them
I don’t know about you, but I don’t tell the people in my life how thankful I am for them enough. Friends, parents, siblings, anyone who means something to you deserves a pat on the back every now and then. Tell them why you’re grateful for them, whether it’s in a conversation, a text, or a note you slip into their bag. Give them the appreciation they deserve during the season of giving. Chances are, they’ll tell you why they’re thankful for you too.