How to Express Gratitude on Thanksgiving

There are plenty of options for giving #thanks and showing #gratitude as the #holiday season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says. Volunteer with a local charitable organization, invite a holiday “orphan” to your dinner table or make an extra meal to give a family in need. At the feast, suggest that everyone share a memory that expresses gratitude (or have them write it down and add it to a Thanksgiving tree to avoid performance anxiety). If you have more money and #stuff than time, consider giving a donation of cash or used goods to ClothingDonations.org, where the proceeds will help fund essential #veterans programs. #Thanksgiving

Prices Rise on the Traditional Thanksgiving Feast

Marketing research firm IRI says that #Thanksgiving meals will cost 13.5% more than they did in 2021, CNN says, even when promotions are taken into account. With supply chain issues and inflationary pressures, food manufacturers have been quick to pass the costs along to consumers. To get the lowest prices, make a list of holiday staples such as butter, flour and eggs, watch when they go on sale, and stock up. Turkey is likely to be the biggest-ticket item on the #holiday menu this year due to the avian flu, but side dishes such as mashed potatoes, yams and green beans are filing and not too costly. #HolidayTips

Get Creative With Thanksgiving Leftovers

Don’t like seeing good food go to waste? As you peruse the online Black Friday deals from your screens, you can also plot out some inventive new ways to incorporate the remaining elements of yesterday’s bacchanale into your meal plan. Try a turkey chili or turkey enchilada, Taste of Home says, or a sweet potato pudding. Delish suggests mashed potato fritters, stuffing waffles or a pumpkin pie milkshake. And there is absolutely nothing at wrong with the classic roast turkey sandwich — with or without a schmear of horseradish cranberry relish or dollop of gravy. #ThanksgivingTips

The Easiest Thanksgiving Feasts

Small #Thanksgiving gatherings are an easy lift even at the last minute if you can adjust expectations. You can cook a turkey breast instead of a whole bird, says Ahead of Tyme, or serve a squash bisque that take minutes to prepare. The point is to feast and celebrate together, so include a few classic, seasonal ingredients on the menu and everyone should be satisfied. And if you want the easiest possible solution, dine out — many chains will be open on Thanksgiving and serving feasts, fancy or frugal. And who wouldn’t enjoy a good pizza? #ThankgivingTips

Outsource the Thanksgiving Sides

Hosting a Thanksgiving feast can be a monumental task. To ease the burden, do yourself a favor and have guests supply some dishes potluck-style. Allrecipes suggests handling the turkey and gravy yourself, so that the star of the show isn’t suddenly a no-show. Let your guests supply sides such as mashed potatoes, casseroles, salads, rolls (store-bought are fine), pie and beverages. Coordinate correctly, and you can concentrate on roasting the bird and any other specialties you want to make, as well as staging your table for a magical, filling feast. #ThanksgivingTips