It's official: the holidays are almost here! I don't know if I can contain myself. After months of false holiday cheer simulated by over-eager stores, Thanksgiving's so close I can taste it. And that's when my real holiday season begins.
In the spirit of the season of this week, which will be filled with all kinds of glorious things - my family, my grandma's delicious pumpkin squares, the 3 - yes, 3 - turkeys my dad makes (one baked, one grilled, one deep fried!), the Black Friday deals and the leftovers, here's some things you shouldn't forget:
- Be grateful. For the last few years, my entire family writes down what they're thankful for on a Thanksgiving placemat. My mom puts out all the placemats from years' past and all of us - cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews - read what we were thankful for the year before.There have been some significant others that have made it on the list one year but not the next (which gives us all a good laugh), but reading and writing it makes us all feel really thankful. Even if last year's Thanksgiving boyfriend left you on the curb.
- Black Friday! Here's some sites that list the deals - or alleged deals - coming our way. Sales, more sales and even more sales. Oh, wait, there's more sales, more and whew!
- Lincoln Park ZooLights start Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
- Winter wonderland. All nine of the city's ice skating rinks open Saturday, Nov. 28. Admission is free if you bring your own skates. Otherwise, they're available by rental.
- Relax. Sit with some hot cocoa or cider and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
- Love. Give lots of hugs to all those you are thankful for!
Have a very happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie
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