Let me preface this post by saying that I am NOT spending a simple Thanksgiving weekend at home.
Indeed, we are doing the unthinkable and traveling over the holiday weekend.
I know! Not exactly the greatest planning. But with a lot of prayer and some good weather, my hopes are high.
However. If you want to skip the chaos and savor a cozy Thanksgiving weekend at home with simple meals, slow moments, and easy ideas for a relaxed, low-stress holiday, this is the post for you.
Because simple and at home is how we usually roll and I’m practically an expert.
Trim the Tree
Actually, Barb gave me the idea for this. Their family celebrated Thanksgiving early, so they put up their tree and then when the family gathered they had a day activity of trimming the tree.
That is such a great idea because it builds happy family memories, includes the newer family members (even though their son-in-law has been part of the scene for a long time) and turns a chore into pleasure.
And if you opt to skip a tree this year, do what Denisse and I did last year and go visit a few beautiful trees. They are everywhere right now.
Put on a Pot of Soup
Our family favorite is chicken tortilla soup. If you have leftover turkey, I’m sure that would be good in this recipe too.
A fun fact is that I cannot stand cooking smells in my house. Too much garlic and I’m out the door. Or opening every door to air out the kitchen.
But a pot of soup is something entirely different. The house is filled with good smells and if your slow cooker cooks as fast as mine does, you can put on your soup by 8 and eat by noon.
Cozy Up with a Movie or Book
Shorter days lend themselves nicely to reading or watching movies.
It might be nice to revisit a Christmas classic movie or read a themed book.
Any suggestions here? I just ordered (from the online library) The Christmas Bookshop and the follow up Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. Both books get decent reviews from Goodreads.
And if you can cozy up with a fur baby, even better!
Assemble a Puzzle
Every time I visit Rusty’s Thrift or the library I pick up a puzzle. We have become wise in our old age and I now only get puzzles that are about 500 pieces.
Hub puts those together in an afternoon and we don’t have the dining room consumed by puzzle pieces.
I like to take a picture of his work, but Roxy decided his last work was a good place to mount an attack on Kinsey who was sleeping on the chair below the puzzle. Pieces went everywhere.
Cats!
Luckily, I got a picture of the one before.
John picked up this puzzle at Hobby Lobby and had a lot of fun with it. The non-traditional shapes with curved edges really throw a challenging twist.
Take a Walk
If you can get outside, the late fall is a beautiful time to be out. We plan to do the Turkey Trot again this year with great weather forecast.
When the weather isn’t so great, having a walking buddy can be really motivational to put on a coat and hat and get out anyway.
There really is no better makeup than rosy cheeks from mother nature.
We have had so much rain this month, it’s been challenging for me to get motivated for my usual walks. I was treated one morning with this view from behind the gym. And the roses actually smelled good. Um, like roses.
Wrap Up
So, those are my ideas for a low-stress holiday weekend filled with things and people you love.
How do you plan to spend this long holiday weekend? Any tips for the rest of us?
Enjoy the holiday and God bless.