Happy Thanksgiving to those of you celebrating! I’m pulling some favorite tips from the archives today. Even if these last couple of years have looked very different, there are some traditions I know we will all be clinging to this week.
I also wanted to say thank you for reading. I know I’ve been posting less in this time, but I appreciate many of you coming back here to check in and say hello. I really appreciate it!
Here are some last-minute suggestions for those of you who will be gathering with friends and loved ones this holiday. May you find yourself enjoying it however you have wished…
On Covid-19 and Safety
You can read the CDC’s full holiday celebration tips here. The most basic advice is, get vaccinated; avoid crowded spaces that are poorly ventillated; wear a mask inside if you are not fully vaccinated.
On Etiquette
A few years back, Bon Appétit published a list of Thanksgiving advice, culled from their editors. Here are few of my favorites. Do you agree? What would you add?
“Never take the last roll unless you’re under ten or over 65.”
“Children are about two-thirds the size of an adult, so they should have to stay at the table only two-thirds as long as the adults do.”
“Make a toast about what you’re thankful for. And make your kids give one too.”
And from some other lists:
“‘Anyone who didn’t cook is invited to clear the table’ is the way to do it.”
“Destroy Your Family Fair and Square. Charades, gin rummy, touch football, Scrabble, Scattergories, soccer… There’s nothing like some good old-fashioned competitiveness to stimulate the appetite.”
“Talk to the old folks. It’s gonna be you some day if you’re lucky.”
“Send everyone home with leftovers.”
Of course, Sam Sifton literally wrote the book, Thanksgiving. A key piece of his advice? “Keep drinks flowing. Start serving drinks the minutes your guests arrive, no matter the hour. Thanksgiving is not a time to judge.”
And perhaps most importantly—another Sifton tip: “If you’re lucky enough to have someone else hosting, be sure to note how much work it is and say thank you.”
On Choosing the Wine
“There’s no better way to greet your friends than with a glass of bubbles,” was a tip I once got from a former French Laundry sommelier. (Here’s all of his advice for choosing wine.)
Sidenote: I would batch-make these Negroni Sbagliatti if I were in charge.
On Traveling
Some of our family’s tips for flying with kids and ways to keep them entertained in the car.
On What to Wear
Some of my past picks.
On Setting the table
Thankful placemats and mini rosemary wreaths. And more full-size wreaths.
Setting up the Kids’ Table (DIY: enlarge coloring pages from books)
The Emily Post guide.
And a Pinterest board with more inspiration.
On keeping everyone (food )safe
The five most common mistakes. Wouldn’t it be a nightmare if everyone were sick the next day?
On our new favorite method for cooking the turkey
Jacques Pepin’s Steamed Turkey (sounds odd, but so good—and so much faster)
On Troubleshooting
One year, I listened to much of the America’s Test Kitchen Thanksgiving Special on NPR, “Turkey Q & A and The Real Story of The First Thanksgiving,” and loved hearing them answer the top ten Thanksgiving day questions they get.
On Menu inspiration
Many families have their sides set in stone, but if you have some flexibility and are looking for inspiration, Saveur has a wealth of sample menus.
My favorite leek and mushroom tart
A simple (but delicious) autumn harvest salad.
Ideas for garnishing the turkey platter
A savory galette with eggs (that could be for breakfast)
How to bake root vegetable chips or compose a shaved brussel sprouts salad
An alternative to cranberry sauce, the famous Stamberg cranberry relish
Cutting and cooking with chestnuts
Easy as Pie: Desserts for Thanksgiving
And just for fun, how the menu has changed at the White House over time.
On what to watch (rather than football)
AMC’s top ten list, (including my favorite). And a list of movies for kids that inspire gratitude from Common Sense Media.
On Making Conversation
The New York Times guide to what to talk about on Thanksgiving.
Use the get together to record family history with these Suggestions from Story Corps. Check out its Great Thanksgiving Listen project, where kids interview their elders about their lives. Anyone with a smartphone can participate. (Check out the great questions list, A-11)
A Cup of Jo’s post on how to talk to your kids about Thanksgiving
On Leftovers
Using the ones everyone forgets (like overstocked onions, pecans, herbs…)
How to repurpose leftovers for the ride home
On Sales, sales, sales.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals:
I get sent all sorts of announcements from stores and brands, so while many of these are still TBD, I’ll continue to update this with some of my favorites as more details are confirmed. These are the ones I like watching. Tip: Pre-load a cart if you’re shopping early, but some sales have already started… See Below.
Happy Thanksgiving!
& OTHER STORIES: TBA. (Generally, & Other Stories’ Black Friday sale launches the night before on the Thursday. Last year’s code was ‘FRIDAY20’ and everything was 20% off.)
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH: TBA (In the past, 50% off site-wide. Abercrombie is sort of a hidden gem. It skews much younger than me, but I always find good stuff. Good kids’ denim, too.)
ANN TAYLOR: TBA: (In the past, 50% off everything online and in-store with code. Think: Cashmere sweaters, gifts for mom… classic. And patterned PJS for me.)
ANTHROPOLOGIE: 30% markdowns on all regularly priced items (minus some exclusions) and an extra 30% off of sale items through 11/28.
CLARE V.: TBA. (In the past, they’ve had a good Black Friday deal and an even better Cyber Monday.)
DAGNE DOVER: Get 20% off sitewide, including backpacks, totes and more with the code HOLIDAZE.
DERMSTORE: Save up to 30% on over 200 popular skin care brands with the code BLACK, plus earn 2x Dermstore Rewards points on select top brands. Their biggest annual sale.
ETSY: Participating sellers will be offering discounts up to 60% off a variety of home goods, clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, art, craft supplies and so much more.
EVERLANE: Save up to 30% on Everlane’s top winter styles (11/24-11/29).
GAP: Get 40% off everything, plus 50% off really big deals.
J.CREW: 40% off with code WHYWAIT (More for rewards members). Both J.Crew and J.Crew Factory are favorites for mens’ gifts.
J.CREW FACTORY: 11/23-11/25: Black Friday Sale! Get 40% off your purchase with promo code SHOPEARLY.
11/26: Today only. Get 40% off almost everything, plus 60% off sale items, plus free shipping. Use promo code BESTFRIDAY.
11/27-11/28: Black Friday Sale! Get 40% off almost everything, plus 60% off sale items. Use promo code BESTFRIDAY.
11/29: Cyber Monday! Get 40% off your purchase + Cyber deals, and extra 60% off sale. Use promo code CYBER.
JENNI KAYNE: Get 25% off sitewide!
LEVIS: The brand’s Indigo Friday sale is offering 40% off denim styles and more for men and women. (& 50% off sale items.) Think: Wedgie & Ribcage fit jeans & Sherpa jackets.
LUNYA: Get 26% off sitewide, plus $20 off a purchase of $200 or more for first-time customers with the code FORSLEEPERS. (I love their silk sleepmask.)
MADEWELL: 30% off everything with code OHJOY through 11/28. As usual I want to put just about everything on my own wishlist.
MANGO: TBA: (Last time: 30% off $100+, 20% off $49+. I often forget about Mango, but was reminded how great they can be in Spain last year. If anyone has a coat on her wishlist…)
NISOLO: Currently 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY. I believe they might go up to 30% off, but not 100% certain.
NORDSTROM: Up to 50% off.
REVOLVE: 11/23: Black Friday Sneak Peek. Up to 50% off. 11/25: Pre-Black Friday. Up to 50% off. One day only. 11/26: Black Friday Sale. Up to 65% off. One day only. 11/28-11/30: Looks We Love Sale. Additional 20% off final sale items. Promo code required.
SHOPBOP: TBA. (In the past, Up tp to 25% off full price and up to 75% off sale with code. This is always a favorite for the huge selection. Tip: Click on an item that you like in the price range you’d like—they tend to be good at suggesting other like-items in the same range.)
SEPHORA: TBA
URBAN OUTFITTERS: 25% off on 11/25 and 11/26 (Rewards members can get the special early. Great for fun gift selection and shopping for teens.)
(I also like to check: BODEN, FOOD 52 (often 20% off $100+), MINTED (holiday cards!), TOPSHOP and along with local shops on Shop Small Saturday!)
Any holiday tips or sale notices you would add?
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