Glencairn November 2018

STRESS-LESS HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING:
SET UP A THANKSGIVING BUFFET
For this year’s Thanksgiving feast, set up an inviting buffet that’s
piled high with mouthwatering dishes, seasonal decorative elements
and touches of vintage elegance for a holiday celebration that your
loved ones won’t soon forget.
Keep It Simple! For a meal that already requires days of prep, serving
food buffet-style is a surefire way to lighten the load on the hostess.
And on a holiday that’s as food-centric as Thanksgiving, there’s no
better way to give guests the freedom to come back for a second
(and third!) helping of their favorite dishes. This is a great time to get
creative and think about repurposing furniture from other parts of
the house - an old dresser, desk or even a wood door propped up on
sawhorses would make a perfect buffet.
Source: www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/entertaining
8 TIPS FOR A SIMPLY CHIC THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is all about focusing on what really matters: family,
friends and the ultimate comfort food. Take a fuss-free approach with
our tips for setting a seasonal table that incorporates rustic elements
with a touch of sophistication.
Stir It Up
The party starts as soon as guests arrive. Greet friends and family with
a tray of piping-hot cider, garnished with fresh cinnamon stir sticks.
Set the Scene
Create a centerpiece overflowing with flowers in shades of ivory,
pumpkin and sage placed atop a salvaged wooden board.
Celebrate the Season
To complement this table’s muted color palette, fill the area around
the centerpiece with pale gourds and squash. Incorporate beeswax
taper candles and flickering gold votives to warm the mood.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AFTER
THANKSGIVING DINNER
The most wonderful time of year also means less time for you!
Keep your focus on YOU before, during and after holiday eating:
1) BEFORE: during the day, drink plenty of water, eat hydrating
fruits - melons, apples, take a long walk, eat a whole-grain breakfast.
2) DURING: continue to hydrate, make sure your plate has MORE
vegetables, avoid white grains and choose whole grains, gravy
on the side, fresh baked potatoes vs. mashed, WATER!
3) AFTER: continue to hydrate, stay active, go for a walk,
have a small piece of dessert - key is small!
10 ALTERNATIVES TO A THANKSGIVING TURKEY
There are plenty of alternative Thanksgiving meals that will give you
that holiday feeling. Here are some ideas:
• Pork Roast: Adding apples and cinnamon will ensure that no one
misses the turkey when you serve this dish. It smells and tastes
like holiday heaven.
• Roasted Chicken: A roasted chicken certainly qualifies as
a solid turkey replacement.
• Thanksgiving Jambalaya: You can substitute any meat here:
turkey breast slices, chicken, shrimp.
• Baked Cod or Microwaved Salmon: Who says you can’t serve fish
on Thanksgiving?
• Eggplant Parmesan: Both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike
will love you for this.
• Leg of Lamb: A great alternative that will everyone, especially
if you add exotic spices and seasonings
• Beef Stew: Hearty and plentiful; your house will be filled with
the most amazing aromas.
Courtesy of: www.bonappetit.com/
Count Your Blessings
This Thanksgiving let everyone join in the fun of decorating the table
while remembering to count their blessings. Craft our chain of thanks
in advance then ask guests to write down what they’re thankful for on
the paper strips. Run the chain down the length of the table and take
turns reading the sentiments aloud during the meal. For an extra dose
of fun, leave the strips of paper anonymous and let everyone guess the
author of each one.
Help Yourselves
The best way to enjoy company is by keeping your own load light
during the party. Simplify your hosting duties by setting up a buffet
near the table and letting guests help themselves to their favorite
Thanksgiving foods. Use fresh herbs and seasonal fruit to garnish each
dish and set out menu cards identifying the ingredients in each item.
The Perfect Bird
Score points with guests by preparing a perfectly cooked turkey then
garnishing the bird with fresh apples and bunches of sage.
Gather ‘Round the Table
When it comes down to it, the most important part of your Thanksgiving
dinner is being surrounded by loved ones. Spend the days leading up
focusing on prep work so you can relax and enjoy yourself on the big
day.
Light It Up
Scatter votives and taper candles of different heights down the
middle of the table to make the entire dining room glow. Purchase
inexpensive raw wood holders from a craft store, then apply stain to
turn them a rich mahogany. Use unscented candles so fragrances don’t
compete with the aromas of the food.
Source: www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/entertaining
Community Newsletter | November 2018
25