Thanksgiving Day Mantras with Nicole Sassaman with Giveaway CAN

Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend. I always take time to look back on the previous year when there is a holiday weekend. What I have learned, what has changed and where I am. Holidays for me are about family and a time to reflect. 

pumpkin-thanksgiving

It’s a day when families across Canada spend time together, and cooks everywhere plan their menus carefully, plot out their seating arrangements and strategize their approach to what’s often the most elaborate meal many Canadians tackle each year. Amid grandmother’s sage advice to avoid lumpy gravy and how to impress your in laws this year, the hoopla can be exhausting before turkey day ever arrives.

To help you reach Thanksgiving Day nirvana, OxiClean has put together a nifty tip sheet with the help of celebrity home entertaining expert, Nicole Sassaman. Check out her “sassy” tips on how to make Thanksgiving dinner preparation and cleanup an easy affair, as well as her own table setting tips for the big feast!

OxiClean - Thanksgiving Tip Sheet - FINAL

 

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, I usually host. It is nice to have all my children here for this yummy and thankful day! Don’t get me wrong, I have had more than my share of stressful family gatherings. Now a days, they are pretty stress free. 

Do you have any Thanksgiving tips to add? 

giveaway timeOne lucky Canadian reader is going to win a Thanksgiving Day survival package that includes the following (It will arrive after Thanksgiving so it can be a “family dinner” survival pack) 

 

  • OxiClean™ Laundry Detergent Paks, Fresh Scent
  • OxiClean™ Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent
  •  OxiClean™ White Revive Stain Remover
  • OxiClean™ Dishwashing 2 in 1 Booster
  • OxiClean™ Unit Dose Laundry Detergent
  • OxiClean™ Extreme Power Crystal Dishwasher Detergent

 

Disclosure- This post is brought to you by OxiClean

Comments

  1. Florence Cochrane says

    Always be prepared by extra guests. Prepare desserts in advance and freeze.

  2. A sense of humour.

  3. Always have extra food. Lots of patience. Activities for the kids. And have fun!

  4. Elaine Laforge says

    Prepare food in advance, make extra and keep it simple. We usually use paper plates and throw everything else in the dishwasher as we go.

  5. OMG, lots of tv . Wow, mantras-nicole-sassaman is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity.

  6. I always use quite a few crock pots, they keep food at the perfect temperature and are perfect for a buffet type of meal service.

  7. dorcontest says

    I like to make many dishes ahead of time and freeze them. Also, have special drinks set up at a table to guests can help themselves.

  8. Erika Belanger says

    Lots of wine, and food!

  9. Make some of the side dished the night before, make a little extra and make others do the clean up 🙂

  10. kathy downey says

    pot luck,everyone loves potluck and dessets you can make ahead and freezer and a help yourself drink table

  11. wendy Hutton says

    not sure if you mean food wise but guess prepare ahead know how many are coming, and with my family we know where to seat certain family members so they don't start a fight

  12. edmontonjb says

    Welcome guests to bring a dish they would like to share. This takes some of the time and expense off of the host and prevents you from forgetting to make someone's favorite dish.

    Jonnie

  13. I always do the table arrangement the day before,so I can really focus on making it pretty.

  14. Brenda Penton says

    I have family members help out. One bring veggies, one brings extra chairs, another a table, etc. It works out quite well.

  15. Doris Calvert says

    Grin and bare it, almost over,for the most part we all get along.

  16. prep as much as you can beforehand, the day before, 2 days before, however you can pull it, just do all the prep work!
    My recent post Easiest Way to Display Your Kid's Artwork

  17. Always have extra food so you don't run out

  18. Definitely bring a lot of good snacks as well as some healthy snacks. Also, happy and upbeat music always brightens up the mood

  19. Bailey Dexter says

    I always have plenty of family/friend help but I find as the preparation starts I clean as I go/cook as others set tables, arrange chairs and entertain. Once dinner is on the table it's easy street from there!

  20. Jennifer P. says

    My survival tip is to get everyone to bring their favourite dish, so that everyone cooperates and contributes, and so that everyone has at least one part of the meal that they love.

  21. I plan weeks ahead..prep what I can days before..the day of the event just ask for help, using paper plates is always welcomed in my home!

  22. Everyone needs to pitch in and help

  23. My survival tips are to go pot luck and to have disposable plates and cups. It makes clean up so much easier!

  24. Tricia Cooper says

    When our family gets together, the person hosting provides the main dish (for example: turkey/stuffing); the rest of us fill in the rest – from appetizers to dessert. We all help with the clean up too.

  25. Dayna Wilson says

    Don't drink too much. This way you'll lessen the risk of shooting your mouth off and pissing off a family member 😉

  26. cheryl hodgkins says

    A good nights rest , planning ahead, making a check list and music

  27. Jeannie Lam says

    We provide a lot of snacks and entertainment, from games to movies playing in the background!

  28. hmrcarlson says

    Clean as you go and encourage a potluck meal!

  29. Booze and lots of it.

  30. Lori Bazan says

    Extra wine and ask your family each to bring a dish/potluck. Also don't be shy in asking for after dinner help cleaning up

  31. Carol Denny says

    We do pot luck at Thanksgiving.

  32. Try not to take things too seriously!

  33. Get things prepared ahead including cleaning. When mom is here, no matter what she said, she is always right.

  34. Victoria Ess says

    Plan ahead and don't put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.

  35. i have areas that are more quiet that people can go to

  36. nicolthepickle says

    I like making things in advance. It makes life so much easier.

  37. WINE! lol
    make the dishes or as many as you can the night before so your not running around like a crazy person. Or make the main dish and get your guests to each bring a dish

  38. Honestly, NO clue! We don't have family get togethers. its just my kids, my husband and myself. I try to clean as I go so its not so bad for me after dinner though.

  39. Sunshine G says

    Clean as you go!

  40. Juliee Fitze says

    Pot luck and a dvd player for the young ones.

  41. Patience and lots of it

  42. Prepare ahead of time as much as possible and enlist a few family members to help clean up afterwards

  43. Lynda Cook says

    Lots and lots of patience and remember it's only once or twice a year, my biggest one is have someone else host it..lol

  44. Karla Sceviour says

    do as much as you can ahead of time,and clean up shortly after before the turkey coma sets in 🙂

  45. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    always have plenty of extras – I once had 9 sitting down to eat and really didn't have enough – it was so embarrassing that I could have cried.

  46. My survival tip for get togethers is to plan and do what you can ahead of time. Dishes that can be made ahead and frozen sure lighten the load

  47. momofrogue says

    team work. it's the best way to survive family gatherings. If you and your partner are on the same page you can push through the evening as a mighty force

  48. Lots of food to keep everyone satisfied!

  49. Patience, patience, patience. And when that is gone, a little more patience.

  50. Davida Safraj says

    Pot Luck is the way to go. Take the stress of the host.

  51. To be prepared and plan ahead.

  52. I have enough for people to have seconds… we over prepare so we don't run out of food

  53. karinespace says

    Great meal, great wine and great time 🙂

  54. bring your shell and take what is said with a grain of salt.
    jan

  55. we take truns hosting, cleaning up..and we stay away from topics that are controversial – we try and concentrate on the moment

  56. I try to find recipes I can make ahead so I am not stressed on the holiday.

  57. Paper plates, prep the day before and do as many dishes as u can b4 they come. Or make it a potluck dinner

  58. LILLIAN BROWN says

    prepare as much as possible ahead of time -and always have 2 desserts

  59. prairiebelle says

    to survive the holidays we do a potluck. that way everyone does a bit of work and no one is overwhelmed

  60. get as much prep done, the day before and assign housekeeping tasks to the kids

  61. Make a grocery list in advance, and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. And if someone offers to help, let them.

  62. TJ Turnbull says

    To do list is my tip….. I never leave anyone out or forget anything :D) plan plan and more planning makes for a great get together

  63. Kristi Renout says

    Good planning.

  64. Monique L.S. says

    Don't serve dinner too late. People get grumpy when they are hungry.

  65. Keep a stain remover pen handy to remove small stains that happen suddenly. Great in a pinch.

  66. Use paper plates as much as possible

  67. kristineewald says

    Pot luck is always a good idea

  68. Robyn Bellefleur says

    Coffee and lots of it.

  69. Sarah Stickney says

    have a good plan and schedule

  70. Figure out an activity for the kids to do together so they stay out of the way while things are being prepped.

  71. Lots of activities for the kiddies and paper plates plastic cutlery and paper cups

  72. organize everything before have veggies peeled and ready.

  73. Prepare some foods the day beforehand to reduce last minute stress

  74. Make as much and prep as possible the day before so you have time to have fun with everyone on the day of the Thanksgiving dinner

  75. truckerofbc says

    We cook , prepare and clean as a family

  76. Always have extra food prepared and fun activities!

  77. carl thistle says

    Mary had a little lamb,…the doctor was surprised

  78. Definitely making a variety of food, and having an assortment of drinks (especially wine for the adults!)

  79. Everyone helps clean up so we spend time together

  80. My best survival tip would be to cook and prepare as much beforehand as possible.

  81. Get everyone to bring something small and do as much of the prep as you can the night before.

  82. I had everyone learn early to pitch in with the clean-up! I love to cook but i am no kitchen wench!

  83. Prepare as much as possible the night before

  84. Drink !!!! And dont eat too much

  85. Christina Ferguson says

    Prepare as much as possible in advance. Once my guests arrive I always live by the words "It is what it is" and relax and enjoy myself no matter what food dish doesn't work out or whatever unforeseen holiday disaster occurs.

  86. Audrey Skinner says

    I prepare as much as I can the day before and then I try not to sweat the small stuff. I let people help themselves and try to mingle as much as possible.

  87. NO SHOUTING

  88. Prepare as much in advance as possible!

  89. I make sure there is plenty of food, and extra containers on hand to send home leftovers.

  90. make and prepare lots of food

  91. George Meek says

    Lots of good food and deserts

  92. aarone mawdsley says

    Always keep out lots of wine and desserts to keep everyone pleased!

  93. My tip is to have activities or board games and do a pot luck dinner.

  94. My survival tip? Don't take anything said or done, seriously.
    My recent post Hacking Home Depot

  95. Tammy Dalley says

    Have lots of food and drinks

  96. get plenty of rest before the occasion and have a place for a quick self time-out during the big day.

  97. erin mcsweeney says

    i try to prepare as much as possible in the days leading up to the get together so that i can be relaxed the day of

  98. Have as much prepared before they arrive.

  99. Make what you can ahead of time, and don't be afraid to ask for help!

  100. Chris Stockford says

    Always have extra food. Lots of patience

  101. Elaine Buonsante says

    I like to make extra quantities for unexpected guests; anything I can make the day before I do; all my adult children bring a dish for our special Christmas Eve celebration.

  102. wine. its the only way i could make it.

  103. Lots of wine, and don't even bother apologizing for the mess!!

  104. My survival tip is to clean as you go – take the extra minute to put things away now instead of later.
    My recent post Tales from a Tenant: “Hello, Police?”

  105. SueSueper Sue says

    My survival tip to to try to do as much in advance as possible.

  106. Make a list and prepare as much as possible ahead.

  107. Elva Roberts says

    Plan, plan and plan. Do everything that you can possibly do ahead of time. Be prepared for unexpected guests-better to have too much food than not enough. Relax once guests arrive and enjoy the getogerher.

  108. be prepared – clean as I go – do as much as I can in advance!

  109. Erica Seaman says

    Prepare in advance 🙂

  110. carinharris says

    Survival tip? Wine!

  111. Karry Knisley says

    A good night sleep the night before

  112. Wine. Lots of wine. LOL joking!
    Plan ahead as much as possible so you arent rushing around trying to do everything at once

  113. Mingle with a couple people you’re comfortable with to start then branch out as you get more confident.

  114. Maria McLachlan says

    Try and prep some stuff ahead of time

  115. Wash the dishes as you go along, it makes it that much easier at the end of the night. Make the dessert the night before and have help!

  116. Robert Wise says

    Potluck; less cleanup. A dishwasher helps too.

  117. U get the children to pitch in 🙂

  118. Judy Cowan says

    Do as much of the prep in advance, cook side dishes in advance, use slowcookers – anything you can do to reduce the amount of work you have to do on the day.

  119. Angela Mitchell says

    A sense of humour, good food, and a tonne of patience.

  120. josephine evans says

    Prepare prepare prepare!

  121. lots of tasty food frozen in the freezer

  122. billiondollarprincesss says

    I clean as i go

  123. Kayla Gilbert says

    Sharing tasks helps make things funner and easier for everyone.

  124. My greatest survival tip for family get-togethers is to remember that they'll be over in a couple of hours. Better to relax and enjoy them.

  125. butterflyamyc says

    Wine, No, make sure you prepare as much ahead of time as possible.

  126. Rhonda W G. says

    I have had to learn to relax and not worry about the idea of being perfect! Do as much ahead as possible…

  127. Have lots of food and drinks

  128. My survival tip is to relax and let what doesn't get done go. Spend more time visiting than alone in the kitchen. Find a cooking buddy to visit with while you work and get a few people to clean together so they can visit!

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