A cornerstone of the Thanksgiving Day celebration is the cooking and eating of a feast. The eating part is easy, but the cooking is a little harder. Down below are tips and tricks to cook a delicious holiday meal!

Turkey: It may seem like the turkey is the most basic part of the meal, but there are many different directions the chef can choose for this entree. The first and most common option is to bake the turkey in a conventional oven. Using this method, getting up early is essential because it’s important to stuff the cavity with aromatic fruits, vegetables and herbs. This can be a fun and creative exercise, choosing anything from traditional celery, onions and garlic, to a sweeter combination of oranges and berries. The great thing about this path is that the work is all done early in the day. Once the turkey is in the oven, the chef can sit back and start thinking about the rest of the meal prep.

If cooking a turkey in the conventional oven doesn’t sound exciting enough, there are the outside-the-box versions of turkey preparation. These include using a deep fryer or a smoker. If these cooking methods are going to be attempted, it’s recommended to fully research and plan the methods many days in advance, as this is not something to just try on the fly. 

One critical tip when cooking a frozen turkey is that it must be taken out of the freezer and placed in the refrigerator to begin thawing many days ahead of time, based on the size of the turkey. For example, an 18-pound turkey should be placed in the fridge to thaw on Saturday night for the bird to be thawed in time for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. 

Potatoes: Mashed potatoes are a traditional favorite side dish for the meal. The preparation of this dish is straightforward: first, peel, cut, boil and drain the potatoes. Next, use an electric mixer to blend the cooked potatoes with butter, milk and salt. 

This recipe can be enhanced by adding varieties of cream or cheese to the mixture, and some chefs raise the bar by baking the potato mixture with cheese and breadcrumbs on top. If a slightly more exotic dish is desired, potatoes au gratin is a good option.

Green Bean Casserole: This easy-to-make casserole is a uniquely American dish. There are only three main ingredients:one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of French-style green beans and a container of fried onions – sold in the salad toppings section of the grocery store. The ingredients are simply stirred together and baked in the oven. This side dish takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and has been loved by Americans for nearly seven decades!

Stuffing: Turkey dressing (aka stuffing) is a side dish consisting of bread crumbs, herbs and turkey juices. The bread crumbs soak up the juices and herbs, creating a flavorful and aromatic masterpiece that is a Thanksgiving staple. In the past, the dressing was cooked inside the bird to absorb the turkey juices during the cooking process which is why it was called stuffing. However, modern methods have evolved to cook the dish on the side, as it ensures that the stuffing reaches the appropriate temperature and prevents possible contamination from undercooked turkey juices.

Cranberries: These bright, red berries are a popular part of lots of Thanksgiving meals. They add a burst of color to the plate and a tart accompaniment to the turkey and dressing. Almost always served chilled, cranberries can be presented in a salad form typically with apple chunks and pecans. An easier alternative is to buy a can of cranberry jelly which can be opened and sliced for a perfect accent to the meal.

Pies: No Thanksgiving menu is complete without at least a couple of pies for dessert. Pies consist of a flakey crust with a sweet filling. There are endless varieties of pies, but some favorites include pecan pie, sweet potato pie and apple pie. The most popular pie for the Thanksgiving holiday is the pumpkin pie. 

These are just a few of the dishes and the ways to cook them and e Every family has their own traditions and ways of doing things. It’s important to remember that the holiday of Thanksgiving brings people together and cooking shouldn’t be a stressful activity!

The cooler weather and crisp autumn backdrop provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your wardrobe. Proper fall essentials can allow you to expand your style with layering and experimentation while staying comfy and warm. Whether you’re looking for a chic sweater, comfy hoodie or the perfect pair of jeans, one of the following items will surely be the right fit!

Hoodies 

Online discord has been extensive in finding the “perfect” hoodie. Brands such as  

Artizia, Abercombie, Garage, Urban Outfitters and Alfric Eden have become fan favorites due to their quality and designs. Gap usually has their iconic name-brand hoodies in stock, yet their site now features TikTok content creator Julia Huynh’s “hoodie that hoodies”. Edikted hoodies have a variety of graphics and are usually on sale. Other affordable options include those from Brandy Melville and the viral Trendy Queen hoodie from Amazon.

Sweaters

Sweaters are often regarded as a must-have for fall weather. Mainly sought after are sweaters with a bright pop of color or the more neutral “Rory Gilmore-inspired” cable-knit look. Brandy Melville, Princess Polly, Edikted, Hollister, American Eagle, Aerie and TJ Maxx are good places to find these items. 

Coats & puffers 

If you want to be ready to face the cold front, don a stylish coat or puffer. A variety of thick coats can be found at H&M, Nordstrom and Artizia. Artizia also has its signature SuperPuff jackets if you are willing to invest in this basic. You also can’t go wrong with puffers from Gap, Old Navy, North Face or Patagonia.

Jeans

Jeans are necessary for a fall wardrobe. Edikted, Pacsun, Levis, Abercombie, Hollister and American Eagle have great options. With low-rise, wide-leg jeans being all the rage, these brands have plentiful options in stock. There are also many different cuts, washes and designs to pick from on the various sites. 

Tops 

Princess Polly, Hollister, Free People, Garage and Edikted are great places to find basic tops along with more unique options. Many stress the importance of having a “capsule wardrobe”, meaning investing in high-quality tops in neutral or favorable colors in order to be able to create many outfits with a single top. Brandy Melville tops are praised for their breathable and soft nature – being composed of 100% cotton at relatively affordable prices. Some other relatively unknown sites are Subdued, Motel Rocks, Amaré and Grey Bandit. Visiting local Goodwills or Flea Markets will give you a chance to find some one-of-a-kind pieces. Depop is a great place to purchase second-hand clothing and offers an opportunity to clean out your closet to make way for any new purchases. On any of these, you can find quality basics for school or more unique going-out top options. 

Shoes 

UGGs are frequently regarded as the cornerstone of fall fashion. They have various options on their website, including the popular Mini, Tazmen and Disquette styles. That being said, many slippers on Amazon are deemed as “dupes” to UGG products and are also vastly more affordable. Additionally, Adidas shoes have gained popularity recently and have many styles, including the Campus 00s, Gazelles, Sambas and Spezials. Doc Martens and Converse are timeless options that can be paired with any outfit. Birkenstock clogs are a cute and comfy pick that are also easy to find “dupes” of. 

Accessories

The right accessories can enhance any outfit. Add colorful scarves for a fun pop of color and extra warmth. Find these on websites like Cotton On, H&M and Nordstrom. Jewelry is an instrumental way to bring personality into your look. Popular jewelry brands include Evry Jewels, Kendra Scott and Gorjana. On top of that, Etsy is a great place to go to find the most unique and customizable jewelry pieces. Headbands are perfect for the autumn aesthetic and can be found at many stores, such as Brandy Melville and Free People. A bag or purse can pull your outfit together and provide much storage. Be sure to check out Baggu, Nordstrom or TJ Maxx for many versatile options. Thrifting at local Goodwills or Flea Markets is a great way to find unique bags or other accessories. 

Overall, these suggestions offer a fun way to spice up your wardrobe or keep it classy this fall season. Whether you are shopping for yourself or a loved one, don’t pass up the opportunity to find the perfect pieces.