3 Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

To keep your cool, don't be afraid to ask for a little help this Thanksgiving!

“Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” - Johnny Carson

We love our family. We really do. But there’s something about Thanksgiving that makes even the best intentioned holiday get-togethers quite stressful. Whether it’s your big brother’s jokes about your ability to cook the turkey or the inappropriate and somewhat comical musings of your great aunt, we could all use a little help taking the stress out of holiday gatherings.

Here are a few tips for handling the holidays without feeling so stressed that you want to stuff your face with an entire pumpkin pie.

Keep it simple. That means the menu, the decorations, and the expectations. Stay traditional and you’ll be less likely to have a fit when your side dish doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would. Plus, your guests will be far less likely to criticize.

Don’t do it yourself. Every year, we take on the challenge of making every dish, and cleaning up the mess. This year, we’re having a potluck style Thanksgiving. Everyone is bringing their own favorite side, which means no one will leave the table hungry, even our gluten-free and vegetarian friends.

Laugh at your mistakes. So what if the turkey is dry or the bread is burnt? Your guests will gobble it down and probably wont even notice. Just laugh it off and enjoy your company.

From all of us at thinkThin®, have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving! Share your tips for a stress-free holiday gathering in the comments below!