God likes celebrations! So do His people! Procrastinators, a feast time is drawing nigh…
God appointed times for numerous feasts. For days, women prepared so they and their households would be ready for the festivities.
Although we can’t claim God directly appointed America’s Thanksgiving, we do want to honor Him in gratitude, and we women are preparing for the celebration.
It’s work, no denying it. But what a privilege! Our joy is increased when we tackle desires and chores in plenty of time. Here are some ideas that might help you and yours celebrate with less pressure and more fun. Choose one or two that appeal:
- Set time, date, and guest list as soon as possible. Flexibility will allow you to welcome unexpected additions to your table.
- Consider now how you might help others and set that up. Volunteering to serve? Delivering canned goods to a shelter? Every year I want to – yet neglect this. I need to figure it out, build it in.
- Clean out if necessary. Start with the fridge so it will be ready to receive incoming yummies. Eliminate extras from kitchen drawers to eliminate fumbling when there’s lots to do. Clear the counters!
- Determine your menu, make the grocery list (Remember spices!), and go shopping this week rather than next – or at least lay in the bulk of your needs.
- Decide with your husband any particular way you’d like to commemorate the day. Read a psalm or William Bradford’s proclamation? Go around the table, each person expressing thanks for something this year? Talk about it this week so the host can be thinking. Gather any materials your husband or group may need (kernels of corn, slips of paper, etc.)
- Share responsibility. Ask children and guests to contribute; it helps them feel a part of things and lightens your load. Make place cards, pick up another guest, bring a dish.
- Map out chores for Wednesday and Thursday, especially figuring out what to cook when. Allow plenty of time so the sweet potatoes are not sweating out the turkey’s departure from the oven. Cook ahead everything possible.
- Set the table the day before! (So nice… No pressure and you get longer to enjoy how pretty it looks!) Centerpiece too? Find extra chairs. Locate serving dishes and decide what dish goes in what dish!
This week, enjoy the preparations! What’s your best tip for getting ready?
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