Thanksgiving is just a week away, hooray! The holiday is one of my favorite times of the year. How often do we make time to spend an entire day with our family, friends, and loved ones undistracted, simply enjoying a great meal and each other’s company? If you’re like me, the answer is not enough.

With the bustle of preparing for travel, hosting, and cooking it can be easy to lose sight of the purpose of it all. There are flights to book, decorations to make, and recipes to dig up. Getting it all right can put a single girl under a lot of pressure!

Of course, getting it right doesn’t have to be that complicated which is why we’ve come up with The Single Girl Thanksgiving Commandments.  Read on for our countdown of the top 10 things you can do to get the most out of the holiday.

10. Eat Carbs & Comfort Food at Will

Every other day of the year you tell yourself to avoid foods that are creamy, baked, and made with gluten. Give yourself a break on Thanksgiving and lose the guilt trip for enjoying your favorite homemade meals.

 9. Create a Signature Dish

It’s a great feeling to be known for always bringing something amazing to family and friend gatherings. Figure out what you personally love to eat, perfect it, and make it your own. Your family will appreciate the effort and you’ll enjoy sharing your favorite dish with them.

8.  Remember to call family

If you aren’t able to make it home for the holiday, make sure to call home! I recommend doing it first thing in the morning before you get distracted with other things. It’s also a nice treat to Skype in during your family’s dinner so you can see and say “hi” to everyone around the table.

7. Recognize that Family Doesn’t Stop at Relatives

Reach out to friends, co-workers, or anyone you know who isn’t able to spend Thanksgiving with their own families, and invite them to yours. This was done for me when I first moved to L.A., and I couldn’t have been more grateful for the initiation. It is incredibly heart-warming to be welcomed in by others.

6. Take the Day to Not Complain

We have so much for which to be grateful. For one day, challenge yourself not to complain about anything. If you get in the habit of doing this, it can truly be life changing.

5. Give Someone else a reason to Be Thankful

They say that giving brings more joy than receiving. This Thanksgiving find a way to make someone else’s day and to bring them something for which to be thankful for. You’ll not only brighten their day but yours as well.

4. Appreciate the Moment

It’s okay to disconnect from work and to-do lists for the day. Turn off your computer, put down your phone, and let it all go. Be in the moment, and appreciate the people you’re with.

3. Be Mindful of Your Blessings

I was once given the advice to start a blessings journal, a place to right down all the things you feel grateful for each day. We don’t take enough time to do this—to stop and appreciate life’s little gifts. If not every night, at least take this one-day to write down and take note of all of your blessings.

2. Get in the holiday spirit

Thanksgiving is the official kick-off of the holiday season. Allow yourself to embrace the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. It only comes around once a year, so find ways to embrace it and not let the joyous season escape you.

1. Show Thanks for all Your Girlfriends

Last but not least, be a great single girl and let your girlfriends know how much they mean to you. Call up friends you haven’t seen in a while, invite those that are near you over to celebrate, and be grateful to have fabulous friends in your life.

 

Superbly Single,

Jen