Suwanee Magazine’s official party queen shares insights on making your next event a smashing success!
Happy Turkey Day
I can almost feel it! Being flooded by a level of warmth only a kitchen on Thanksgiving is capable of producing. Quite literally, as the oven and stove are working overtime – but certainly heartwarming, too. As a family gal who looks forward to connecting with loved ones over a spread of irresistible comfort food, it’s no surprise this holiday earns a top spot on my favorites list. From the savory sides and decadent sweets to the coordinating plaid outfits and precious school programs, Thanksgiving can have us all feeling both abundantly stuffed and grateful. And speaking of stuffed, we all know that turkey is a leading culprit… So this year, join me in celebrating all things turkey day!
Turkey Prints in the Kitchen
The only thing cuter than a Thanksgiving craft created by your own little turkey is one that can be displayed year after year. This super easy homemade keepsake requires just a few supplies and you’ll be on your way to including it in the annual fall decor lineup. First, gather:
– Oven mitt or pot holder (hello, Dollar Tree!)
– Brown paint, red paint, and your choice of additional paint colors for the feathers
– Black permanent marker
– Paint brushes
Next, using paint brushes, spread a layer of brown paint across the palm and thumb of your child’s hand and coat each finger with the extra colors. Then, carefully help press your kiddo’s hand onto the front of the oven mitt/pot holder. Finally, use the brown paint to sketch two feet and the red paint to fill in the turkey’s wattle. After allowing the paint to dry, use the black marker to add your desired text across the top and a dot for the turkey’s eye. Simply hang the masterpiece in your kitchen to enjoy or gift it to a beloved grandparent.
*PRO TIP: If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving get-together, setting up a craft station for younger guests to DIY their own oven mitt/pot holder would be a huge hit!
Ticket to Turkey Day While going around the room and letting everyone share what they’re most thankful for is a happy and humbling exercise, it can sometimes be a little intimidating. If you’re looking to change up that tradition this year, I challenge you to introduce a new activity: Ticket to Turkey Day. This offers dinnergoers the chance to think about their answers beforehand, thus feeling more confident in spreading thanks among others. I recommend sending out specific questions ahead of the gathering to help your friends or family reflect on particular moments throughout the past year. The “ticket” could be as straightforward as guests jotting down their answers on a notecard, or as interactive as you wish – such as tasking the kiddos with coloring what they think looks like an admission ticket and then helping them (as needed) to incorporate their answers into their drawing. Here are a few examples of what could be included on your ticket to turkey day:
– Someone special you appreciated
– A unique place you were able to visit
– A joyful memory close to your heart
– A new skill or lesson you learned
– An experience you’ll never forget
Turkey Day Caramel Fluff Dip
There’s something about the flavor of caramel that fits so flawlessly into the fall season. Combined with the comfort of cream cheese and powdered sugar, this recipe is a fool-proof appetizer that can be on the table in minutes. The dip can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, leaving just the apples to be sliced before it’s ready to serve. And the apples – this is where you can take your turkey game to the next level. Consider using a turkey cookie cutter to achieve those Instagram-worthy apples. Or, have some fun arranging traditional apple slices around your dip to resemble feathers.
Ingredients
■ 8-ounce block of cream cheese
■ ½ cup powdered sugar
■ 1 tbsp. milk
■ ½ tsp. vanilla extract
■ ¼ cup caramel sauce
■ 4 apples (I prefer 2 Honeycrisps and 2 Granny Smiths for a balanced variety, but feel free to use whichever type tickles your taste buds.)
Directions:
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the cream cheese in 30-second increments until melted and smooth, stirring after each increment (should total about two minutes). Stir in the sugar, milk, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel sauce until warm – about 15 seconds – and fold into the cream cheese mixture. Voila!
*PRO TIP: If you want to flaunt your hosting skills a step further, let this caramel dip serve as the base of a build-yourown apple bar. Options like hot fudge and white chocolate would make a delectable drizzle atop the caramel dip, and crushed toppings such as Heath bars, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, and peanuts would be the ultimate completion.
