Helpful Tips and Recipes for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and after not being able to gather with those we love due to the pandemic, this holiday should be full of new memories.

This year, Thanksgiving Day falls on November 25th. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official U.S. holiday, putting it on the calendar for the last Thursday of November. President Lincoln’s hope was that the new holiday would help reunite a country fractured by Civil War.

Whenever the month of November had an extra Thursday on any given year, there seemed to be a lot of confusion. This confusion led to President Franklin D. Roosevelt making a change in December 1941, declaring Thanksgiving to be the fourth Thursday in November.

Over the years, there have been many traditions handed down. Each family may have something that makes their holiday look special and different from another. Don’t be afraid to start a new tradition like ending dinner by writing down one thing you are thankful for and passing it to the person to your right or left.

What does the classic Thanksgiving dinner look like at your house?

We did a bit of research and found these items to be the most popular items on the Thanksgiving table, year over year. As a bonus, we’ve linked recipes to make it easier!

1. Sweet potato casserole

2. Green bean casserole

3. Mashed potatoes

4. Cranberry sauce

5. Classic stuffing

6. Cornbread

7. Baked macaroni and cheese

9. Pecan pie

10. Pumpkin pie

If you are looking for more recipes that are popular for Thanksgiving, you can find a list here.

Do you have a Thanksgiving tradition that you have continued through your generations, like watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? This year marks the 95th year of the parade and will be broadcast from 9 to noon.

Are you a super-shopper who plans to get ahead on holiday gifts? Here’s a list of stores that will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

Enjoy your family and try to avoid stress. It’s okay to ask your family members or friends to give you a hand. Planning ahead will also help reduce stress. Create a task list and assign some to others who will be attending your Thanksgiving Day meal.

Look forward to the things you enjoy about Thanksgiving, whether that’s cooking, eating, watching football, spending time with family, or playing with the kids. But, always find time to spend alone to rejuvenate.

Share your favorite recipes and traditions below with our community.