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Thanksgiving Recipes and Resources

November 23, 2020 By Deanna Piercy 3 Comments

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy and all the other delicious side dishes and desserts. I also appreciate the fact that it’s one holiday which hasn’t become an overblown, commercialized extravaganza. Food, family and gratefulness. That’s all that’s required. And it’s enough.

This year will look different for many of us but we can still make it a lovely occasion and a time of giving thanks. 

Here are my basic Thanksgiving recipes as well as a handful of other resources to help you plan a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Recipes and Resources graphic 

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more here.

Thanksgiving Recipe Basics

Dee’s Turkey Cooking Instructions

From thawing to cooking, I’ve got you covered. I’ve even included information on how to cook a turkey breast in a crockpot – perfect for sandwiches or for smaller gatherings. 

Turkey Cooking Instructions

Mashed Potatoes ~ Homemade, of course

Instant mashed potatoes are gross. Here’s how to make the real deal.

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Dee’s Homemade Turkey Gravy

Ditch the packets and make homemade. Not difficult and SO much better.

Turkey Gravy

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

No need to buy canned sauce when homemade is so easy!

Cranberry sauce

 Additional Thanksgiving Resources

Thanksgiving Planner

Thanksgiving Planner

Want to have a more organized Thanksgiving? This Thanksgiving Planner can help. Includes the following:

  • Host Cheat Sheet
  • To-Do List
  • Guest List
  • Menu Planner
  • Shopping List
  • Cooking Schedule
  • Next Year Information Sheet
  • Notes

Perfect Potluck

I discovered Perfect Potluck several years ago when helping to organize meals for a friend who was undergoing chemotherapy. It’s a great way to make sure that the recipient doesn’t receive lasagna four nights in a row. It’s also great for planning a holiday potluck. The creator of the event can list the menu items needed and attendees sign up for what they plan to bring. We have huge family gatherings for the holidays and this makes it super easy. The host family can then see that all the basics are covered.

12 Hilarious Thanksgiving Game Ideas

Are the kids getting bored? Need something to do besides fill yet another plate of food? Check out these family friendly game ideas. Or if your gathering only includes adults (fun, not easily offended adults, that is) there is nothing quite like a round or two of Cards Against Humanity. You definitely need to judge your audience well before playing this one, though. 😉

Cards Against Humanity

Thanksgiving Puzzle

I think it’s quite lovely to have a puzzle set up in an out-of-the-way corner. Especially in a large gathering there may be an introvert or two who would enjoy a little break from the main action.

puzzle

18 Best DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces to Wow Your Guests

diy-thanksgiving-centerpieces-ideas-pinterest-share-homebnc

No money in the budget for table decor or just want something truly unique? Watch this video for inspiration. Use what you have or make use of nature’s gifts for a truly stunning Thanksgiving table. 

Thanksgiving Table Setting TWO Ways – Parisienne Farmgirl

Thanksgiving Table decor video screenshot

Thanksgiving Movies

After the last of the guests have gone home, make yourself a turkey sandwich, curl up on the sofa and watch one of these Thanksgiving-themed movies.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Planes Trains and Automobiles

Addams Family Values

Addams Family Values

You’ve Got Mail

You've Got Mail

Or my personal favorite:

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

I love both the original AND the remake:

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

Yes, I know this is more of a Christmas movie but it begins with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which is reason enough to watch it on Thanksgiving.

And speaking of the parade, this year, things are different. They won’t be marching down the streets of NYC but you can still watch the parade from the comfort of your home. Here is more information about how to view the floats, giant balloons and performances:

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

~~~~~

I’d love to hear your favorite Thanksgiving recipes, activities and traditions. And what does your Thanksgiving look like this year in light of the pandemic? 

 

Thanksgiving resources graphic

Related Posts

  • Getting a Head Start on ChristmasGetting a Head Start on Christmas
  • Thanksgiving Recipes RoundupThanksgiving Recipes Roundup
  • Dee’s Homemade Turkey GravyDee’s Homemade Turkey Gravy
  • Thanksgiving RecipesThanksgiving Recipes
  • 30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 24 (belated)30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 24 (belated)
  • Giving ThanksGiving Thanks

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Filed Under: Holidays

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Comments

  1. Tori says

    November 5, 2016 at 4:40 am

    We don’t have Thanksgiving over here, and I’ve never seen the Charlie Brown holiday specials. Sorry, but I haven’t… They don’t put them on TV over here. Going to have to see if I can get a DVD or something… I’ve got a multi-region DVD player, so it doesn’t matter where I get one from.

    I love both versions of Miracle On 34th Street too. I have a copy of the remake, and have seen that one more times than the other, but I’ve seen the original a handful of times too.

    Addams Family Values is a good movie as well.

    Reply
    • Deanna Piercy says

      November 5, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      I can totally understand why they wouldn’t show a Thanksgiving movie outside the U.S. You most likely have holiday-related shows we don’t get, either.

      I was a longtime fan of the original Miracle on 34th Street so was a little skeptical when they remade it. However, I think the remake is every bit as good. I’m not sure which I prefer so I watch both each year.

      Reply
      • Tori says

        November 5, 2016 at 4:03 pm

        Good call on watching both versions!

        Reply

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I’m Dee, a Francophile with a hippie heart, trying to create a beautiful life in the country while dreaming of Paris.

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