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Thanksgiving Tips & Quick Pumpkin Pudding Recipe
Danielle Sexton
November 15, 2024
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"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
- Lao Tzu
Hello, party planner extraordinaire! If you’re dreaming of a stress-free holiday that doesn’t leave you crying into your mashed potatoes, you’re in the right place. Let’s sprinkle some tidbits onto your heaping plate that is motherhood.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
🎉 Throw a Celebration Everyone Will Love
🍁 Quick Pumpkin Pudding
🦃 DIY Turkey Finger Puppets
Holiday Hoopla
How To Throw an Amazing Thanksgiving (or Any Celebration!)
Ready to host a celebration that’ll have everyone grateful they came—even if it’s just a cozy gathering for all?
Here’s your guide to an unforgettable (and manageable!) celebration.
Plan Ahead
Get a jump on things: send invites early, especially if people are traveling, and plan the menu with make-ahead dishes so you’re not scrambling on the day.
Just heat, serve, and enjoy!
Venue & Timing
Hosting at home? Rearrange furniture a day or two before for a comfy, open vibe. Or, consider a local restaurant if you prefer hands-free hosting.
Starting around noon is ideal—keeping things casual and ending early enough for everyone to rest.
Guest List Goals
Make it a mix! Family, friends, or even a “Friendsgiving” gathering if family can’t be there. A variety of personalities adds fun and keeps the energy lively.
Food is the Star
Turkey or twist? Whatever you choose, plan a menu that caters to everyone’s tastes and dietary needs.
Mom Tip: Buffet-style is easy and lets guests serve themselves just the right amount. Side dishes can definitely steal the show!
Let’s Play!
Get the crowd involved! Keep it simple with a Turkey Waddle race (hilarious for all ages) or Thanksgiving trivia and charades.
Mom Tip: Set up a craft corner where kids can make fall-themed decor—it keeps them busy, and you’ll get some sweet handmade touches for the table.
D-Day Strategy
Minimize last-minute cooking. Warm up prepped dishes after the turkey finishes roasting so you can actually enjoy your morning.
Mom Tip: Label dishes the night before to make reheating easy for helpers!
Self-Care for the Host
Amid the prep, take a few quiet moments for yourself. A relaxed host makes for a relaxed, happy gathering.
Quick Tips for an Effortless Thanksgiving:
Decorate with sunflowers, mini pumpkins, and cozy fall vibes.
Disposable plates mean way easier cleanup.
A separate table for kids keeps conversation flowing for the adults.
Serve fall drinks like cider and pumpkin spice cocktails to set the mood.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving (or any gathering) is about connection, gratitude, and memories.
So embrace the joy, laughter, and those priceless moments.
Here’s to a beautiful holiday, mama! 🦃🍂🥂
Keep reading here.
Mom’s Field Guide
Why we’re fall-ing in love with Wayfair
It's no secret that Wayfair is a fun place to shop, but in a world where every penny counts, we're not just looking to have fun. Our goal is to save big on quality home goods as we gear up for the holidays. In case you're wondering, "Is Wayfair legit?" or "Is Wayfair furniture good quality?", we can confidently answer yes to those questions, and if you read Wayfair reviews, you’ll find that thousands of customers agree with us.
But there are even more reasons to love Wayfair, and Brad's Deals rounded up their top reasons. Brad (yes, it's a real guy) was a broke college student who found cheaper ways to shop and shared them with his friends in the early 2000’s. Now their experts search the web to find the best deals, and share them with users. To join the club, all you need is an email address.
Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
How frequently do you have date nights?-> Vote to reveal what other moms think |
Poll Results From 11/13
How do you usually handle picky eaters?
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Let them skip the meal (13%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cook them their favorite food (10%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Mix disliked food with something they love (74%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Persist until they eat it (3%)
Featured Response 💬
“My little picky eater has good and bad days. Sometimes I feel like I'm cooking up a storm just to get something in and other days its a fruit day. And on the rare day we get a good day where he will eat everything. Having started our own little veggie garden and involving him in the cooking process has made him more open to foods. But we take each day as it comes.”
Love that you’re rolling with the ups and downs—sounds like you've found a great balance! Involving him in the veggie garden and cooking is such a sweet (and smart!) way to spark his interest in food. -Danielle😊
Mom’s Menu
Quick & Creamy Pumpkin Pudding! 🍁🥄
Source: goodlifeeats
Moms, as we welcome the cozy vibes of fall, why not dive into a delightful, effortless dessert?
This Pumpkin Pudding is not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a fun activity to involve the little ones in.
It's quick, mess-free, and embodies the spirit of autumn in every spoonful! 🍂
Why You’ll Love It
🎃 Smooth & Creamy: Rich, silky texture that kids will love.
🍂 Fall Flavor Boost: Pumpkin and spices make it a festive treat.
⏱️ Quick & Easy: Made in minutes for a perfect last-minute dessert.
📝 Ingredients
Pumpkin purée (15 ounces)
Low fat evaporated milk (12 ounces)
Instant vanilla pudding mix (5.1 ounces)
Pumpkin pie spice (1 teaspoon)
👩🍳 Instructions
In your blender, combine pumpkin purée, evaporated milk, instant vanilla pudding mix, and pumpkin pie spice.
Blend until the mixture turns thick and creamy.
Pour the pudding into individual serving bowls. For an added touch, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Yum!
📌 Note
If you're not in the mood to use a blender or wish to get the kids more hands-on, you can whisk the ingredients in a mixing bowl according to the package instructions.
Both methods are fail-proof and delicious!
Perfect for chilly evenings and family gatherings. 🎃🍂
Full recipe here.
Budget Diapers & College Dreams
A single pet emergency could set you back thousands
Some veterinary procedures cost $10,000+. Don’t let it catch you off-guard.
Pet insurance companies can offer up to 90% reimbursement for covered claims, providing peace of mind and protection against expensive medical bills.
Don’t let unexpected vet bills stress you out. Protect your pet and your finances with the right pet insurance plan.
Daily DIY (Kids Edition)
Fun Turkey Finger Puppets
Source: iheartcraftythings
These adorable turkey finger puppets are a fun craft for kids to make and play with!
Cut a small cardboard circle for each puppet base.
Add a turkey body and face with construction paper and googly eyes.
Attach paper “feathers” at the back for a colorful tail.
Secure to a finger band made from paper or felt.
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
🥶 Ever had to juggle between keeping the kiddos’ lunch cool and your milk fresh while on the go?
These nifty ice packs are a lifesaver, slipping easily into lunch boxes or even your bag without hogging space.
Since they’re compact, they were my go-to on a recent work trip where I needed to keep my pumped milk cold during the day!
XL Freezer Slim Ice Packs
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Game
Mama Knows Best: True or False?
Using sign language with babies can delay verbal language development.
(Answer below)
A) True
B) False
Mom’s Meme 🤣
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Answer
B) False - It can actually promote communication and language development.
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