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Why Thanksgiving is My Favourite American Holiday

November 21, 2016 by Rosie 4 Comments

Thanksgiving is my favourite of all the American holidays, mainly because of it’s relaxed nature. You get a four day weekend, eat and drink lots and have family time – with no expectation to give gifts! What’s not to love?!

why-thanksgiving-is-my-favourite-american-holiday

Here’s why Thanksgiving is (probably!) my favourite American holiday…

It’s relaxed

Thanksgiving always feels like such a relaxed holiday. There is no expectation to give gifts, or do certain things. It’s really just a big dinner to celebrate and give thanks! Perhaps I also find it relaxing because as an expat I don’t have any set expectations on how the day should be. I don’t have the same set of rituals or foods in the way that I do at Christmas and feel much happier to go with the flow. I suppose I just love to just soak up the atmosphere of Thanksgiving!

Lots of pumpkin

I love that lots of the Thanksgiving dishes revolve around pumpkin – and sweet potato! Both are not used a lot in traditional British cooking, but I have definitely developed a taste for all things pumpkin and sweet potato since living in the US. Pumpkin pie and sweet potato mash are some of my faves – yum!

Time with friends and family

Friends and family are what Thanksgiving is all about. Usually, we go and visit friends and their extended family for Thanksgiving dinner. But this year we are so excited that The Hubster’s parents are going to be visiting. So we will be having some quality family time of our own. We are planning to go to a restaurant, so we can all relax and have fun, without having to cook! Whatever you do, it’s a great opportunity to get together with those close to you, for food, stories and laughs.

Time to feel grateful

Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to reflect and take stock. You have the chance to think about who and what you are grateful for in life, without the pressure of gifts, or new year’s resolutions. It’s really all about being thankful. I love having a day all about being thankful. It brings me perspective on my life. I’m also trying to encourage my children to be grateful too.

A long weekend – and a rest!

Thanksgiving is a lovely long 4 day weekend. There is plenty of time to eat and be merry on Thursday, shop on Black Friday and relax on Saturday and Sunday – all in one weekend! This year The Hubster is taking the following week off too, so we are really looking forward to some quality family time.

After all that food and with plenty of time to relax, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a nap with this guide from Casper, maker of a new type of mattress. Apparently over Thanksgiving the average person has an extra 27 minutes of sleep! Just think what you can do with that extra rest!

I’m not sure my kids will give me the chance to actually take a nap, but I’m looking forward to curling up for some cuddles and a family movie. We are planning to finally watch Finding Dory together.

Hopefully with an extra rest over Thanksgiving I’ll be all set to finally make a start on  my Christmas shopping too! What will you do with the extra rest?

Are you celebrating Thanksgiving this week? What’s your favourite holiday?

Photo credit: Fineas Anton courtesy of Unsplash

Disclosure: Post created in collaboration with Casper. All opinions, as always, are my own.

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Comments

  1. Angela

    November 24, 2016 at 12:13 am

    We like pumpkin pie. My mum learnt to make it when we were small but i need to learn now!

    Reply
    • Rosie

      November 29, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      Pumpkin pie is amazing! And surprisingly easy to make too. x

      Reply
  2. Mimi Rose & Me

    November 25, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Aw it looks as if there are so many reason why you love Thanksgiving! I can imagine there are so many uses for pumpkins shortly after Halloween! It so nice to spend some quality time with all nearest and dearest to us! Hoope you had a lovely day.

    Reply
    • Rosie

      November 29, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      We had a lovely day thanks. x

      Reply

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Sweet and simple ideas to inspire kids. 👩‍🎨
Art | Crafts | Nature
Lover of tea on the beach and avid recycler! 🐚🐠🐳 ❤️

Rosie
Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating this Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating this weekend. 🥰🌸
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We love using washi tape in crafts, especially homemade cards. It’s so fun and easy to use and looks really effective. Why not give it a try? 
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You can make these washi tape cards for any occasion. Your kids will enjoy coming up with their own designs. Search ‘washi tape cards’ on the blog for full tutorial.
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Have you used washi tape in kids art and crafts? 👩‍🎨
Back to school yesterday for these two ❤️❤️

I’m missing them already! 🥰 But have to say it’s nice to have 5 minutes peace for a cup of tea! 😆☕️
Now the big tidy up begins!

Are your children back at school? Or still home?
Do you feel like showering a little love this Febr Do you feel like showering a little love this February? 🥰
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I think we need all the love and good vibes right now and I do love a creative project that doubles as a gift! 💝 
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We loved making these dancing heart stencil cards - simple to make and sweet Valentines for your children to hand out. 😍
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When I get 5 minutes I'll make a blog post 🙄😆but they are easy enough to make:
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-Draw a heart shape on a piece of card and cut out a stencil. 
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-Place stencil on folded white card, sponge red and white paint, let dry.
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-Decorate with a pen and goggly eyes.
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-Spread a little love!
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These would be a cute and easy activity over the half term/winter break. ❄️
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Do your children like to make Valentine cards? 💕
Do you feel like you're balancing all the things r Do you feel like you're balancing all the things right now?
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Life is throwing everything at us at the moment. If you feel like you’re about to topple and fall with the weight of it all, you are not alone. 

Working, parenting, home schooling. Trying to stay calm and look after ourselves as well as our families. Whatever your situation, I know you are juggling a lot.
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Think of a memory that makes you feel calm and happy. Hold on to it until the time you can make it happen again. And in the meantime try to to seize the little moments of every day joy. 
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I think of the beach when I need a pick me up. How about you?
Don’t you just love when a crafty project double Don’t you just love when a crafty project doubles as something useful??
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You can turn this easy Christmas tree stencil idea into simple gift wrap! 
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Get your children printing and decorating Christmas trees on a sheet of parcel paper. You’ll keep them busy and creative, then can wrap gifts for the grandparents or friends in the paper! 
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This year, more than ever, people will really appreciate the small, personal things that you do for them. Things that are made, thought about and given with love. ❤️ Have a think about how you can make someone feel special this year. The simple ideas are always the best!
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Are you planning to add a personal touch to gifts and cards this year? Have you made gift wrap with your children before?
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Joining in with @makemerryandcreate @littlelion_mom @playwithmamma and #makeyourchristmascrafts
Wow, it’s been a while! I took a bit of a soci Wow, it’s been a while! 

I took a bit of a social media break, as life took over. As it does from time to time. So taking the time to say hello to you all again.👋 

I’m Rosie and I love to share simple ideas to inspire kids to get arty, crafty and creative. 🎨 

I also 💚the outdoors and try to share this love of nature in many of my projects. 🌲 

This is me and my crew, back in October on my 40th birthday! A beautiful beachy day. 🏝 

Since then we’ve bought a house, moved and had one kiddo in isolation for 14 days 🤪- hence the radio silence. 

A break has helped me ditch the overwhelm and simplify my priorities. But now, I’m so ready to start getting creative again and bring on all the festive vibes! 🎄

When life gets overwhelming, don’t be afraid to step back and focus only on the things that are important. Take a breath, get outdoors and then reprioritise, one step at a time. ❤️

How are you doing with lockdowns, winter and festive preparation? What helps you step back and reprioritise?
What is your lasting memory of this past few month What is your lasting memory of this past few months with your kids?

For me it’s been bike rides and making things together. 🖍 ✂️ 
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Funny how our minds gloss over the stresses of home school and lack of ‘me time’ 🤣
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I’ve not been on social media much lately - I’ve been making the most of the end of summer, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ and figuring out what is next for me now that my littlest has started school. 😊
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One thing I am doing is starting to sort through the pile of creations 🖼 (and clutter too!) in the house. It’s reminding me of all the lovely things we have done together (even when mum guilt sometimes tells me otherwise) and helping to clear my mind too. ❤️
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If you’re feeling a little lost at the moment I can recommend a good sort out as a starting point! @whatkatysaiduk is a wonderful inspiration on decluttering. 🥰
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Are your children back at school, or are you still in the thick of homeschool? 
Anyone else swamped with projects from this year?! I’d love any ideas on how you like to organise art work!
(Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family (Press trip) Do you have a Dino fan in your family?
We had a roarr-some time at @roarr_dinosauradventure in Norfolk last weekend.
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