My 3 Thanksgiving Must Haves (Or 3 Things to Be Thankful For)

This holiday season, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Health, happiness, and a roof over your head are 3 that I personally hold near and dear.

But then there are the must haves; and here are three of my must haves for Turkey Day.

1. A great wardrobe

If you’re going to be cooking all day, you might as well make it fun!

An awesome apron

Grab a great apron and keep your clothes clean. Better yet, design your own. Kristen (my BFF/roomie) and I made fun aprons with some iron-ons and a plain apron!

Stretchy pants

Turkey coma? Let’s talk about turkey belly, first.

Thanksgiving is one of those few blissful holidays where every person’s ability to stuff themselves silly is the name of the game. Not trying something on the table – in most Thanksgiving dinners I’ve had the pleasure of attending – it not allowed.

So I like to prepare for this little issue by being utterly comfortable in every way. That includes – you guessed it – stretchy pants. Elastic is a girl’s best friend during the holidays because, let’s be serious…no one like unbuttoning their pants at the dinner table.

2. Delicious food

Tofurky

As a pescetarian, the ONE time I get tested every year is Thanksgiving. Bacon smells great to me, I love the idea of a good hamburger cooking on the grill, and sometimes having chicken on my salad would just make life easier. But I can handle all that.

What I can barely handle? The smell of a Thanksgiving turkey. I grew up a dark meat, leg girl so seeing that turkey takes my willpower to the max.

However, blessed be the vegan/vegetarian community. They concocted something that, while not overly turkey-esque, is comparable to some sort of tofu ham. Thank you, Tofurky, you keep me sane.

Pumpkin pie

I’m a fall baby, so I love all things pumpkin. Pumpkin spice lattes, Shipyard Pumpkinhead beer, and especially…pumpkin pie.

I’m convinced that my Mom makes the best pumpkin pie imaginable…and I’m also convinced that I could eat it all in one sitting. Regardless, it just isn’t Thanksgiving to me unless a good ol’ pumpkin pie is involved. (And don’t forget the vanilla ice cream.)

3. Friends and family

You may say “duh?!” but for me this one’s a biggy. This will be the third Thanksgiving in a row that I haven’t spent Thanksgiving with my immediate family in Maine. I’d love to be spending the holiday with them, but I also can’t complain.

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to spend Turkey Day with my great aunt and uncle who I hadn’t seen in a while. Last year, it was a FriendsGiving with friends from college. This year? My roommate/BFF’s loved ones (read: my second family).

So, you see, as far as I’m concerned, if you can’t spend time with your family, it’s just as amazing to be with loved ones!

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Happy Thanksgiving!