thanksgiving Archives - now & gen

How to Host a Virtual Thanksgiving

Nowandgen Author — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:41:36 +0000

According to the CDC, the safest way to celebrate the holidays this year is with the people in your household. Event planner Troy Williams shares tips on how to host a fun, memorable virtual Thanksgiving.

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Pie Tips from Candace Nelson

Nowandgen Author — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 21:31:14 +0000

Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson reveals her secrets for perfect pies—and shares her chocolate bourbon pecan pie recipe.

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Creating a Tablecloth of Gratitude

Heather Catania — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:22:54 +0000

No matter how planned the day is, Thanksgiving always feels so frantic. This year, I wanted to create a personal touch that could be a conversation starter and sweet contribution to our Thanksgiving and allow our family some time to reflect on the year. Since I love home decor and tablescapes centered around fall and family, I had the idea to make a gratitude tablecloth. It’s easy to lose sight of our memories and what we are thankful for, so it was wonderful to all gather together to artistically illustrate our favorite moments from the year. I also love that the gratitude tablecloth is not too precious. I want it to live under our plates and trays and for every wine ring and gravy stain to add to the decor and the memories. It’s messy, just like we are! I have to admit, it didn’t come out exactly as I was envisioning—it’s not quite as bright and full as I thought it would be, though I realize that will take time and memories. But it did its job to get the kids thinking about all the wonderful things they have in their lives, from family and friends to toys and […]

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Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude

Heather Catania — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 06:00:34 +0000

Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pause, sit down, and reflect on what we are thankful for. Every Thanksgiving, like many of you, my family has a tradition of going around the table to say what we’re grateful for. (Me? I’m most thankful when someone else does the cooking.) I know it’s a little cliché, but it’s a sweet ritual and I look forward to hearing what the boys come up with each year. It also reminds me that I should be practicing gratitude more often—not just when I’m shoveling another bite of stuffing into my mouth. Because between diaper changes and shuttling the boys to school and sports practices, the days can feel like a blur. And I’m not exactly thinking,” I am so grateful for this moment.” No. I’m usually thinking, “Oh crap—I’m late, I suck at this mom thing, or what time exactly is too early for a glass of wine?” Gratitude really is good for us, though. Research shows that it can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, boost our immune function and reduce our risk for depression. In a recent study, they even found that the simple act of writing gratitude letters—regardless of whether they’re sent—can […]

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How to De-Stress Your Thanksgiving

Heather Catania — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 22:36:14 +0000

I have a confession: I’m sort of known as The Grinch of Thanksgiving dinner. I know, I know! I love the ritual of the entire family gathering around the table to show gratitude for all the good things in our lives. But actually preparing all the food is stressful and I’ve just never been a big fan of the traditional Thanksgiving foods. There, I said it. Luckily, I know a pro who does love cooking Turkey Day dinner: Gaby Dalkin. She is the founder of my absolute favorite cooking blog What’s Gaby Cooking. Her recipes are approachable, and she has that easy-breezy California sensibility about cooking (good ingredients, not a whole lot of fuss) that I admire. I knew she’d have great advice since her cookbook (see it here) is full of creative ideas, so I asked her to share her chef secrets before the big day. Here, her four fail-proof tips to getting Thanksgiving dinner on the table with minimal stress. 1. THINK AHEAD The key to less cooking anxiety: More prep. “Anything that can be done ahead of time should be, including setting the table,” says Dalkin. “And keep in mind that almost all the veggies can be […]

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Setting the Thanksgiving Table

Heather Catania — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 06:00:58 +0000

I have this thing with tablescapes. I think it’s because they involve all of my favorites: style, food, wine and good conversation with family and close friends. We usually host Thanksgiving festivities at our house, but will be out of town this year. While it’s a huge relief to not have to deal with the stress of cooking, I was a little bummed to not have an excuse to put together a beautiful table. So, I decided to throw a little “Friendsgiving” instead and wanted to share it with you here, along with a couple other fun ways to gather around the table this Turkey Day. None of the setups are particularly fancy. I find that a more casual table makes me a better host. A super formal vibe just makes me anxious because I feel all this pressure to make everything perfect. I prefer mismatched dishes and unexpected items that can spark conversation and feel homey. Keeping the table relaxed makes me feel more relaxed, and I like to think that it creates a more welcoming vibe for my guests too. I hope one (or all) of these tables inspire some ideas for your own feasts next week. How do […]

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