November Song Ideas for The special Thanksgiving Holiday coming up.
* BEGIN the Thanksgiving day with prayer.
* Make some special coffee and serve freshly made cinnamon donuts. Get the best ones you can buy, or if you’re really ambitious make them yourself. It’s not hard if you use prepared bisquit mix from the grocery store. I love surjulz’s easy recipe idea (click here). Normally we don’t eat donuts, but I love a treat (who doesn’t) now and then. Surjulz uses plain sugar, but I add cinnamon to mine. Serve piping hot right away with your coffee … YUM. The holiday has begun.
* Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade on T.V. or even go if you can.
* At your holiday dinner, why not get back to the basics of the tradition of going around the table and sharing what you are most thankful for in your life. Here’s how to get it started. Put names in a basket or small bowl to draw who goes first. Then the person on their right goes second, etc.
* Remember those less fortunate this year. Take a Large basket (or box) and fill it with the same or similar food you and your family will be enjoying tomorrow, then along with your children, personally deliver it to a shelter two days before Thanksgiving. Two days before give the shelter time to deliver it.
THE TWO DAYS AFTER THANKSGIVING TRADITION … remember I do the following tasks spread out over two days, so it’s very manageable, and only takes a few hours.
* One of my favorite ideas for Thanksgiving weekend actually begins the day after Thanksgiving and in fact that whole weekend to sort of cloister myself and prepare for the Christmas Holidays and all the wonderful social events that make up our December calendar. So rather than rushing out the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) to “shop til I drop”, I make a pot of homemade soup (use turkey and vege leftovers if you have them) and a whole grain quickbread. This soup lasts us for two days so I don’t have to cook again. While the soup is simmering on the stove and filling the house with warmth I get busy doing the following.
* I begin by putting on some gorgeous instrumental Christmas music. Then I decorate my home for the Christmas holidays. Years ago I simplified my holiday decorating, and I have learned to keep my decorations very simple so it truly only takes me a couple of hours. If you do a huge holiday decorating thing, you will of course need an extra day.
* I then wrap any gifts that I’ve purchased so far. I normally shop all through the year for Christmas and that takes lots of pressure off running around to find the perfect gift.
* If you celebrate advent …. create your advent wreath.
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Send out my Christmas cards. To make this task easier, years ago I began building a list using a spreadsheet program on my computer. I use Microsoft Excel but you could use whatever spreadsheet program you have. I then use that list to make labels. I print off the labels and put them on the envelopes. Then I sit in a comfortable chair so I can write a brief note on each card. As I write the note I say a short prayer for that person and as the LORD to bless their life and give them a wonderful holiday season. Affix the stamp and you’re done. I like to send Hanukkah cards also, and I also put up a lovely glass Mennorah I purchased.
* We like to save all the cards and read them on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or anytime during the 12 days of Christmas. It seems more special than just ripping them open standing in your foyer. If you don’t wait to wait til Christmas why not open them as a family at the dinner table, prayer time or any time you are all gathered together that feels more special to you. The point is that we want to give TIME to read the cards and letter, really absorb them and think about the dear people who have sent them.
* I prepare a box (or basket) with my Christmas cards, a pen and holiday stamps. The cards I receive along with the cards I will send go in that box and it keeps everything tidy. I prefer the box because you can get festive holiday boxes for very little money and the box becomes another Christmas decoration. I bought this one at (where else) Christmas Tree Shop, but I’m sure you could find them many other places. It cost me $2.99 (+ tax)
* One of my girlfriends saves her most beautiful Christmas cards from years past and makes a huge collage, which she then frames. That too becomes a holiday decoration and she gets to see the cards all over again. She saves these collages and sometimes will bring them out or she will even sell the entire beautifully framed creation. Brilliant!