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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It’s focus on family, friends and food (and, let’s not forget football) offers us a chance to stop, reflect and enjoy.
Yet, some women still go about Thanksgiving the way they go about their lives – hurried, pressured and overwhelmed.
I want this to be a holiday of elegance, style and joie de vivre, so here are some of my favorite ways to French Kiss Thanksgiving.
First things first: visit your local wine store and buy a bottle (or two) of Beaujolais Noveau. This charming and young wine is released once a year on the third Thursday every November and graces the tables of many Thanksgiving meals. Made from Gamay grapes from the Beaujolais region of France, don’t be surprised by the notes of banana, fig and pear. And, while it’s definitely not a Bordeaux Grand Cru, it’s a fun vino tradition to add to this special day.
Wake up with some gratitude for the year. It’s called Thanksgiving for a reason. And, what better time to celebrate and appreciate all that this year has brought you. In your journal, write “In 2013, I am so thankful for _________________!” (free flow the love).
Decide how you want feel before your feet hit the ground and you step foot into the kitchen. Most women wake up thinking about all that needs to be done – turkey in oven, stuffing prepared, table set, wine chilled, pecan pies made. Before the day starts, they have often catapulted into overwhelm with their to-do lists. Don’t be that woman!
Luxuriate in a graceful bubble bath. There’s no better way to relax and get your body prepped for the day’s events.
Choose an outfit that displays your appreciation in being a woman. Just because you may be in the kitchen doesn’t mean that you can’t look and feel fabulous.
Create a beautiful table. Remember, simplicity is elegance. Here are some great ideas.
Don a sexy apron. There’s nothing sexier than basting the turkey with a little ooh la la. Check out this beautiful and tres chic piece.
Create a signature Thanksgiving cocktail. This year, I’m going to be preparing a beautiful French Kiss Poire cocktail with Prosecco, pear liqueur and garnished with a slice of pear and rosemary from my garden. After dinner, as the sun begins to set, there’s nothing better than hot cider with a splash of brandy with a cinnamon stick.
Add a bit of romanticism by reading your favorite poem at the table. Sure, your family may thing you’re nuts, but you’re not the average woman.
Make a wish. Don’t get rid of the turkey until you’ve vied for the wishbone (aka furcula, but don’t call it that; it doesn’t roll of the tongue quite like wishbone). The one who gets the larger piece makes a wish and stuffs it in her secret garden.
No technology with the exception of watching football or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Today is not the day to be blowing up Facebook and Instagram. It’s the day to be present with your family and friends.
Play outside. After indulging in the day’s feast, make sure to spend some time outside with family and friends. Take a stroll through Autumn leaves (or snow, in my case) or get frisky with some tag football. This year, I plan on riding dirt bikes, maybe even in my heels!
Break a tradition. Just because you’ve had pecan pie for decades doesn’t mean that you can’t serve something completely different. C’mon…what would you really love to have for Thanksgiving? I prefer pots de crème.
Create a Thanksgiving playlist. Of course, mine will consist of great French tunes with a little Sinatra mixed in. What about yours?
Encourage your family and friends to share their gratitudes. In fact, make it irresistible by incorporating a writing prompt at each place setting.
Go around the table and tell each person why you are thankful for them. It’s so much better than shouting out a “good-bye and thanks for the turkey” on your way out the door.
Make your Thanksgiving meal an opulent event, not a race to the TV. Challenge yourself and family to savor the experience for two or more hours. Slow down your eating and dine. Put your fork down between bites and have a meaningful conversation. “Slowly savor” is your mantra at the table.
Send home a Gratitude Bag. Give each guest a little brown bag filled with leftovers. You can even add a little surprise note for them to continue the festivities the next day.
Put on some lipstick. Why? Just because you are a woman who French Kisses Life!
Skip the Black Friday madness and sleep in on Friday. There’s nothing luxurious or elegant about standing in line to fight the crowds for an X-box.
Care to add to the list? Let us know how you plan to French Kiss Thanksgiving.
By the way, I’m so thankful for you!
xoxo,
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Tonya
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