While Christmas Trees and festive music has filled my instagram and tiktok pages, I make it a point every yea to hold out on the decorations in order to allow every holiday to be enjoyed. Thanksgiving gets treated as a filler between Halloween and Christmas, with the excitement of Black Friday deals to hold everyone over. In my opinion, it’s glossed over because it’s not centered around what you’re getting, but instead focused on the quality time spent with loved ones and ways you can give back. I didn’t appreciate it much as a child but the older I’ve gotten, the more I enjoy it.
For the last decade, Jay and I have split holidays between families. We spent Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine. To me, the two holidays are equal because of this. His uncle is usually the one to host us for Thanksgiving dinner. We walk into a house smelling of delicious food laid out beautifully on the table. We talk around the table and make our way around the fireplace with a drink where things quiet down to a comfortable lull. Full bellies and full hearts. It’s like Christmas, minus the presents. See? Isn’t that equally as special?
On the rare occasions that we’re home for Thanksgiving, we treat it like we do Christmas dinner. It’s an all hands on deck thing. I have everyone upstairs with the tasks divided as we cook. Someone makes drinks, someone makes desserts, someone makes sides, etc. We make the most out of our time together. Nobody is left overwhelmed, overworked, and bitter that they had to do the work all by themselves. We set the table with the good plates and silverware, a few decorative pieces to set the tone, and then gather around.
You have to make the most of every holiday you celebrate, otherwise they just go by like every other day and things tend to lose meaning. Whether you enjoy your Thanksgiving with friends, family, or even volunteering, do something to make it feel special.
If you’re hosting this year or just need to refresh your tableware, Target has some adorable finds this year for under $40.
Target Tableware Finds
