House decorated, check. I have my candy corn dish out, except this year it is filled with Halls cough drops and peppermints! Seems someone is always under the weather... Front porch decorated, check. I did find some indian corn that would look cute around here...Be patient with buying your pumpkins, gourds, etc.... the deals will come. Decorations do not need to be expensive...and it is fun looking for just the right things with your family. Sounds of college football each weekend, check...oh, and that usually goes hand in hand with my husband and son "debating" on whose team is best...and who will end up in the championship. The leaves are changing...and falling. Thanksgiving will be here soon...and around the corner will be Christmas. Let's concentrate on Thanksgiving. Face it...times are tight. That does not mean Thanksgiving has to go unnoticed...
1. Plan ahead. Start looking for coupons and special deals. One year I got a turkey at a CHEAP price because one grocery store offered the turkey at that price with a $25 purchase. It is only a good deal if you spend $25 on items that you need....Compare convenience foods to making it home made. Depending on what your budget allows, start buying things ahead of time. This is all common sense...and time consuming, but often necessary when trying to save money.
Making food for a lot of people? Consider a potluck. Ask your guests to bring certain dishes!
2. Focus on Relationships. Thanksgiving is not just about the food. Our Lord, family, traditions...A favorite story around our home is my "first Thanksgiving being married." Hours of cooking...beautiful table setting....candle-lit table...I walked over to the tv and turned off the football game (insert here: sound of screeching tires, fire alarms, and the sound of my wonderful husband yelling). Yes, he yelled, "WAIT! What are you doing?!" He proceeded to the table...told me the table looked beautiful and that I did also, prayed, filled his plate, turned on the tv, and patted the space next to him on the couch. Traditions...memories! We don't sit on the couch anymore while eating dinner. Over the years we have worked on things that are important to each other and making adjustments. I ask when the game is..and plan dinner around it... We had to learn a few things along the way...My oldest daughter said the other day that what she enjoys is the sound of the football games, the parades on tv in the morning as we eat breakfast and plan out what time everything needs to get into the oven....enjoying our Christmas decorations (yep, they are up by then..). Don't forget the Christmas music! You see, building memories and traditions do not need to cost money....time with each other and showing our thankfulness for each other is what matters.
Plan ahead and keep your focus on what is important.
Thanks for stopping by...Keep checking in for more holiday ideas and recipes...
Have a great day!
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