TAKE IT EASY
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Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a large group can be a huge undertaking. But you deserve to enjoy the holiday too! Follow these simple tips to make your life a little easier on Thanksgiving Day.
SHOP AHEAD: Shop well ahead of time to beat the Thanksgiving rush. Bring a list to make sure you don't forget anything. Buy your turkey fresh, not frozen to avoid thawing issues. CONSIDER POTLUCK: You
THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS GIVE THANKS
EAT YUMMY
On the table, place a bowl with scraps of paper and pens. Have each child write down what they are thankful for and place it in the bowl. Then, mix up the papers. Have each child draw out one paper and read it allowed, then guess who wrote it.
Serve finger foods. Small kids don't necessary love adult food. There's nothing wrong with serving chunks of turkey hot dogs, chicken nuggets and other munchies that young children will enjoy on Thanksgiving.
COOKING WITH KIDS ON THANKSGIVING Though your kids won't be able to roast the turkey, they can pitch in to help out in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. Allow your little ones to help prepare the Thanksgiving meal with one of these suggestions.
BE ARTISTIC Leave a small gift bag at each place setting on the kids' table. Include rubber stamps, crayons, stickers and rolls of parchment paper. After dinner, each child can create Thanksgiving art.
MASH THE POTATOES Give your child an old-fashion potato masher and allow them to go to work on your
potatoes. You can supervise while adding the butter, milk and seasonings.
SHUCK THE CORN Are you having corn on the cub this Thanksgiving? Let your kids pitch in by giving them the time-consuming task of shucking the corn and removing all the silk. This will certainly keep them busy.
don't have to do it all. Consider asking your guests to bring the side dishes, salads and desserts. That way you will only be responsible for the main course and dessert.
DELEGATE CLEANUP: Assign teenagers the task of cleaning up after the meal, allowing yourself (and your adult guests) some time to relax and enjoy each other's company. Reward the teens with movie tickets on Thanksgiving night.
NO-BAKE DESSERTS Your young children can help you assemble appetizers, as well as create nobake desserts. They can spoon cream pie filling into shells, layer Jell-o and whipped cream in parfait dishes and help make other sweet treats.
EASY THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECE
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For a cute Thanksgiving centerpiece, hallow out a medium-sized pumpkin, then fill it with colorful fall flowers in shades of red, yellow and gold. You can also make a smaller version of this cute centerpiece with mini pumpkins and set them in front of each guest at the table.
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