There’s nothing like chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But really who’s got time to roast them?
With four kids and a busload of family coming over for the holidays, trying to prep and get ready for guests takes a lot of planning and patience. So for me, it’s all about simplifying the process. My desire is for my home to look good and our clothes to smell GAIN fresh. It all works hand in hand
So it’s essential to have a plan during the holidays because it’s such a busy time. And I’ve found a way to make Thanksgiving planning a fun family activity since we’re a non-traditional family and like to do things our way anyway.
Have you ever heard of a VISION board that people create during the New Year to plan out what they want to SEE happen in the New Year? Well my kids and I put together a VISION board with visions of Sugar plums (not exactly), chicken, stuffing, roasted potatoes, rice, ribs and EVERYTHING we want to SEE on the table at Thanksgiving!
Mikaela and I cutting out foods we want on the Thanksgiving table
My kids and I grabbed a bunch of old magazines with delicious fare between the folds and started cutting out foods we’d would like to try on Thanksgiving. This was a FUN activity. And I do plan on having my girls actually help to cook the meal and that alone will make preparation easier as well.
As you can see, I didn’t mention turkey because I doubt I will cook one. I know, I know, no turkey is like a Thanksgiving no-no, but this is our family vision, and my kids don’t really care about eating turkey so I’m thinking about giving the bird a pardon this year. (Thank me later)
Mikaela wants chicken and roasted potatoes!
Mikaela and Kaitlin are trying to decide which delicious foods they want me to cook
I am loving this! Beans and bacon on Thanksgiving! Why not!!
Our vision board filled with Visions of delicious, succulent foods! Now the real challenge is cooking it!
This activity helped to make my Thanksgiving preparation MUCH more enjoyable! The girls and I had fun and now we’re headed out to shop for the nontraditional foods we need to our Thanksgiving meal memorable.
And when they spill the beans on the white table linen, you better believe I will have my Gain products on deck to wash all the Thanksgiving food stains away. One of my favorite Gain products is Dreamy Desire fabric softener which smells incredible and quite peachy with hints of vanilla.
And here’s a Cincomom tip I’d like to share with you. The Gain dryer sheets are not only good for throwing in the dryer with your clothes, but I love tossing them in the linen closet and place a few between the sheets and blankets to keep the linen closet smelling nice and fresh. This is a tip I learned from my mother who always kept her home smelling fresh.
And Gain truly has the best and most fragrant scents. Doesn’t Floral Fusion, Flirty Fresh and and Apple Mango Tango give you visions of a clean, fresh-smelling home?
Well I want to give you a chance to try Gain’s products with anything but ordinary scents! I’m giving away 5 coupon books valued at $10 a piece for you to purchase Gain.
1. Make sure you LIKE www.Facebook.com/The Cincomom
2. Leave a comment below telling me what kind of prep you do during the holiday to make it easier.
Contest will run until Friday November 30th and FIVE winners will be announced! Good luck and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Please check out what my other blogger friends are doing for the holiday to make preparations easier!
Mundane Magic http://mundanemagic.com/2012/11/a-hawaiian-aloha-thanksgiving-memory.html
· In the Kitchen with KP http://www.inthekitchenwithkp.com/brand/dirty-dancing-in-the-kitchen-aka-doing-the-dishes
· The Giveaway Gals http://thegiveawaygals.com/de-clutter-and-add-joy-to-your-thanksgiving-holiday/
· Cutie Booty Cakes http://cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving-cleaning-giveaway.html
· Black Love Forum http://blackloveforum.com/holiday-kiss/
· Stress Free Baby http://stressfreebaby.com/2012/11/my-tip-for-stress-free-holiday-cooking-and-cleaning-gain-giveaway/
· The Mommy Insider http://www.themommyinsider.com/2012/11/make-your-thanksgiving-day-more-enjoyable-with-these-2-laundry-tips/
· Atlanta Moms http://atlantamoms.com/blog/2012/11/keep-germs-away-this-thanksgiving-with-this-cleaning-tip-a-gain-giveaway/
· The Divine Miss Mommy http://thedivinemissmommy.com/gain-katy-perry-and-a-clean-house-gveaway/
‘LIKE’ www.facebook.com/gain
Visit: www.ILoveGain.com
@Gain on Twitter
Disclaimer: As part of this campaign, I was compensated for this post and received coupons for giveaway. All ideas expressed and opinions are 100% mine.
Well, I had to work all week. My husband is in New York helping with Fema for who knows how long. I have TWO kids and one on the way. My mother and grandmother are cooking for us, and asked me to prepare my famous spinanch dip. They know I am tired because my husband is so hands on – that for him not to be here for 3 weeks ARLEADY and who knows WHEN he is coming back is hard. We are both scarificing for a better end result. With a household of 4 soon to be 5, we wash ALOT. Kids dirty clothes just by looking at them! And Gain is a great product to use! I love the smells and how it gets/keeps my clothes clean. The coupons would definitely HELP! #hopingIwin
Wow Bernetta! I didn’t know your husband was in New York or that he was taking part in the cleanup. AND you are pregnant and have your other little ones. I know that is a LOT to handle. Thanks for entering the contest!
I always make sure that I clean and prep the turkey and marinate it. Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, green beans, I prep ahead of time. I also bake the pumpkin/apple pies ahead of time as well. Thanksgiving day everything is ready to go!
Sounds yummy Tami! Thanks for entering the contest!
I like you on Facebook (Tamara Bennington)
Been prepping all week baked the pies, brownies, cookies, turkey is brined an in the oven. Love the smells in the kitchen! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Thanks for entering Tamara! Happy Thanksgiving!
I make lists for everything! Shopping lists for food, gifts, and miscellaneous (clothing, decor, etc). If I don’t, I’m running to the store way too much – and way too close to Christmas!
I love that you guys cut out pictures of what you wanted to have for Thanksgiving! I’m going to have to steal that for next year, lol. I feel ya on spilling the food on the table, I gave up on tablecloths a long time ago with my messy kids! To make things easier for the holidays, I make a specific list of what needs to be done for each dish. Then we split the list up and everyone helps prep together. It’s a fun family time for all of us!
My family always sets up a time to plan a menu and whose house we will celebrate at for the holidays. My sister always plans a menu for us!
My son made his arrival last year on December 22, so I feel double the pressure to ensure that he doesn’t get short-changed (gotta set the precedent from the very beginning!), while also ensuring my daughter feels the holiday spirit as well.
Needless to say, multiple lists are involved. As well as trips to the store while my daughter is in preschool. Lol
Thankfully, my in-laws have a tradition of getting together for Christmas eve, which allows for my side to get together on Christmas day.