100 Days to Christmas » Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

listmama — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:01:59 +0000

This is a day to be filled with family, food, and fun! It is my fondest wish and hope that you will have a wonderful day.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to enjoy your Thanksgiving! Don’t think about your to do list. Just do what you need to do to prepare your meal and spend time with family. And don’t forget to count your blessings! Christmas is still about four weeks from today, but we are ahead of the game.

Easy as Pie

listmama — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:01:25 +0000

Pie, glorious pie. I love a Thanksgiving meal, but I dream of the pie that follows. Have you decided what type of pie(s) to make for Thanksgiving?

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to bake your pie(s). You will have plenty to do for tomorrow, so get the pies done today. I make both a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie each with my own butter crust. Don’t forget real whipped cream! (But this should be made tomorrow.)

List of Traditional Thanksgiving Pies

Come on. Make my mouth water. What pies show up to your family’s Thanksgiving meal? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know.

Make Ahead Prep

listmama — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:01:41 +0000

Thanksgiving will be a day filled with family and laughter. It will be a day to create memories. Don’t spend more time than you have to in the kitchen that day. Get a head start today.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to decide what can be cooked or prepared today and get it done. Need vegetables cut for the stuffing? Do all of your chopping today. Can you prepare and refrigerate the casserole today so that it is ready to go in the oven on Thursday? Does the cranberry sauce need time to set up? Go beyond opening a can of cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving. Native Americans introduced the Pilgrims to the taste and benefits of cranberries long ago. My Aunt Vicki has always made Cranberry Salad for my extended family’s get-together and though I tried hard to find a unique recipe for our family’s traditional meal, nothing was as good to me as Aunt Vicki’s.

What on your Thanksgiving menu can you make ahead of time? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about it.

Kickin’ It, Pilgrim Style

listmama — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:01:05 +0000

This week will be all about getting ready for the Thanksgiving meal. Each day will be an opportunity to prepare for the feast that lies ahead. Start early, take it slow, and enjoy the season! Thanksgiving memories tend to be centered around a table. It is easy to imagine family, lots of food, and lots of laughter. The table is usually as much a part of the equation as the turkey! It is a good idea to plan ahead in order to make it as warm and inviting as your fondest memories.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to take out your best table linens and check them for stains or wrinkles. Give them a good ironing, if possible. Begin to think about your table settings. Do you have enough plates, glasses, and silverware for your crowd? If not, borrow from a friend or relative for the big day. And last but not least, plan to have some type of centerpiece. It could be as simple as candles, a bowl of fruit, or your handmade Thankful Tree. A personal touch adds so much to a holiday table.

List of Ways to Dress Your Thanksgiving Table

See ListPlanIt’s Thanksgiving Board on Pinterest.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your favorite Thanksgiving table touches.

Make a Thankful Tree

listmama — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:01:31 +0000

Family Fun Magazine had a wonderful family project that is perfect for Thanksgiving. It is a great way to encourage family members and even guests to think about what makes them thankful.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to take a look at Family Fun Magazine’s instructions for making your own Thankful Tree. Gather the materials and then sit down with your family to discuss what makes each member thankful. It makes a lovely decoration for your Thanksgiving celebration. Have extra materials ready for guests to add their own leaves of thankfulness to your tree.

See ListPlanIt’s Thankful Tree Inspiration Board on Pinterest.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us how your family remembers to be thankful.

So Clean You Could Eat Off Them

listmama — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:01:38 +0000

We have reached the bottom of the house. I would love to be able to put a positive spin on this one, but this is just one of those household jobs that I have to work very hard to commit to doing it.

Today’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to tell yourself that there is no time like the present to get an unpleasant task out of the way: mopping. I’ve always been a hands-and-knees- kind of mopper, but I bought a Shark steam mop this year and love it. I never did like the idea of sloshing dirty water around on my floor and I prefer to use fewer chemicals. Do you have a method of mopping that works? I would love to hear your ideas.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us how your cleaning went for the week. Are you ready?

Hit the Floor Running

listmama — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:01:12 +0000

As we’ve been working our way down in cleaning this week, we are now ready for the floors. The only equipment you will need today is a broom, a dustpan, a vacuum cleaner, and some muscle. We’re going to get a bit of a workout today!

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to sweep your hard floors and vacuum any carpets and rugs. Start with an attachment and go over the windowsills and baseboards. Don’t forget to get the corners and stairs. Hand one child a broom and the other one the dustpan and set them to work. Make it a group effort!

The Powder Room

listmama — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:01:51 +0000

Still working from top to bottom, nothing makes a house feel clean like clean bathrooms. You may need to spread this one out if you have two or more bathrooms in your home.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to give your bathroom a good deep cleaning! Clean the surfaces you haven’t thought of in a while. Because this challenge comes a week before Thanksgiving, you may need to touch up closer to the day, but this will save you from having to bake pies the same day you are scrubbing your toilets. Eww!

From the Top. . .

listmama — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:01:15 +0000

When cleaning, the most efficient method is from top to bottom. That way, any particles that float down will not land on a clean surface. So, without further adieu, today’s cleaning assignment is DUSTING!

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to dust (or vacuum) ceiling and window corners, all furniture, knick-knacks, and shelves. This would make a GREAT after-school activity for the kids, as well. Give them some socks to cover their hands, a little dusting spray, and some instructions. All you would need to do is follow up on their progress.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page to dish about holiday cleaning.

Cleaning Week

listmama — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:01:23 +0000

Unfortunately, cleaning is unavoidable this close to a major holiday. This week, we will focus on one major task a day. If we can accomplish each task this week, we will be all the more prepared to host Thanksgiving and leave time next week for food preparation.

The Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is simply to prepare yourself for a mindset to clean. Even if you are not hosting Thanksgiving, it is a great way to prepare your home for the start of the Christmas season. Come back each day to commit yourself to the task at hand. Let us know how you are keeping up (or not).

List of Steps to a Guest-Worthy Home This Thanksgiving

What is your holiday cleaning strategy? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and share your tips.