Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you’re getting ready to spend some quality time with close friends and loved ones. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, because I know it means a family get-together — and another one soon to follow when Christmas rolls around.

Every year, I try to enjoy Thanksgiving for what it is: a chance to slow down, be present, and celebrate the traditions that make this season special.

The truth is, each Thanksgiving looks a little different as you grow, and if you think back far enough, they’ve changed a lot over the years. Sometimes that hits me harder than I expect. I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed thinking about the people who are no longer sitting around the table “crushing” some turkey with us.

But then I remind myself of something important: those loved ones wouldn’t want us sitting around feeling sad. They’d want us to laugh, to enjoy the day, to take an extra scoop of gravy in their honor, and to celebrate simply being together.

Here are a few ideas — and hey, they’re just ideas — to help you have the best Thanksgiving ever this year:

Start with a prayer. Thank God for bringing everyone together, and take a moment to pray for the loved ones who couldn’t be there.

No politics at the Thanksgiving table. Seriously — it’s not worth the argument or the awkward silence that follows. Don’t bite at the “red meat” someone tosses out to get a reaction. Just enjoy the time together.

Put football on. I mean… It’s Thanksgiving. There has to be football playing in the background.

Share Christmas ideas. This is the perfect time to lay some groundwork about what you want for Christmas — everyone’s already in the same room!

Thank the chef. Shoutout to my Uncle Brian, my mother-in-law, and my mom for making some bomb food. It’s a multi-hour process — just for people to crush it in 30 minutes. Me? Fifteen. You all are the real MVPs.

Make your dog a plate. Yes, they’re part of the family. Make sure your four-legged friends get some Thanksgiving turkey, too!

Set an over/under on how many times your grandma offers dessert. I’m setting 3.5 on my Nana, letting us know there’s confetti cake — and guess what? Every time she says it, I’ll think about getting more.

Call your nap spot. Nothing hits like that post-turkey nap with football on and the smell of pumpkin pie in the air. I call the corner of my parents’ couch — with Buck curled up on my legs.

Do a “Cranberry Sauce Loyalty Test.” Team canned vs. team homemade. Unfortunately for this one, I’m team canned. My brother-in-law and I eat way too much of it — no regrets.

Appoint a “Cousin Captain.” Their job is to keep all cousins in line… which guarantees they will do the opposite. I nominate Gage. He knows how to get a party going. He also knows ball — if you need any stats or info, he’s your guy.

I hope you enjoyed reading this list, and even more, that it gets you ready for the best Thanksgiving ever. Be safe if you’re heading out the night before — it might be the most fun night of the year, but don’t drink and drive. Call a family member and let them come pick you up.

And one thing that sometimes gets overlooked: have a Friendsgiving! Get your friends together and celebrate each other’s company. It’s another chance to slow down, laugh, and enjoy the people God has placed in your life.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ~ Psalm 107:1