Don't forget about Thanksgiving!

source

I couldn't believe (STILL. CANNOT. BELIEVE.) all the Christmas talk going on the second Halloween was over. I swear people were washing off fake zombie blood from their costume one second and untangling Christmas lights the next. I woke up on November 1st and the whole damn internet was buzzing excitedly about Christmas everything - movies, songs, decor, food, etc. That prompted me to send out a tweet to all of the 5 people who follow me that read: 

Let's just all calm down on the Christmas music/tree talk .You're going to hurt Thanksgiving's feelings.

I don't get why everyone wants to rush Christmas, other than that they love it so much they want it to last as long as possible. But that still doesn't make sense to me. I love my birthday but I'm not one of these people who celebrates it all month long. I get one day. I enjoy that day. And then I just have to wait until the following year for another day. No big deal!

source

I've always celebrated holidays by the month they fall in. October is for Halloween. November is for Thanksgiving. DECEMBER IS FOR CHRISTMAS. This is probably just part of my very anal personality but it's who I am and I'm not going to apologize for it. Celebrating Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving just throws me all kinds of off. One holiday at a time!

The thing that bothers me the most by this extra love for Christmas is that it is almost as though Thanksgiving is just being shoved aside like the red-headed step child of holidays. Thanksgiving may not have as much going for it as Christmas but that doesn't mean it should just be overlooked.

source

Thanksgiving is a time where the air really starts to take a dive even though everything outside looks warm and cozy with it's yellows and browns. It's a time where you can really reflect on the wonderful things in your life and be thankful for each and every one. It's watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV.  It's spending extra time with family and friends, whether that be just you and you cat, or you and your spouse, or you and a house full of 20 people. It's eating tons of turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole (with mini marshmallows - obviously), and then washing it all down with the pie of your choice. It's unbuttoning those jeans to watch a NFL game and having a four day weekend to do whatever you'd like! It's that feeling of going to bed with a full belly and an even fuller heart. Cheesy, yes, but that's kind of the whole point.

Ways to celebrate Thanksgiving during the month of November and on the actual day/holiday weekend:

source

Movies to watch:
Pieces of April - Katie Holmes rocks in this. Dustin and I actually own it on DVD.
Addams Family Values - Remember the Thanksgiving pageant?!
Son In Law - I mean, Pauly Shore in the 90s. Need I say more?
V for Vendetta - Remember, remember the 5th of November...
Free Birds - Out NOW in Theaters! I haven't watched it yet but it looks cute and is all about Turkeys!
TV Shows - Some of my fave TV episodes are the Thanksgiving episode! Especially 'Felicity'! 'Friends' also had some pretty fantastic Turkey day shenanigans. Oh and I found these Buffy gifs on Tumblr that are awesome.
And then there's this wonderful article I found - Thanksgiving Special: Top 10 Most Awkward Dinner Scenes in film.

source

Music to listen to:
The Thanksgiving Song - Adam Sandler
Anything by 'The Early November' JUST because of their name.
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Coming Home - New Found Glory
Thanksgiving Song - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Sweater Weather - The Neighborhood
Interlude: Holiday - Paramore
Embers & Envelopes - Mae
Kind & Generous - Natalie Merchant
Gone Till November - Wyclef Jean
November Rain - Guns N' Roses

source

Turkey Day crafts and decor:
The famous turkey hand we all did in elementary school.
Easy to make "What Are You Thankful For?" placemats for guests.
Buy OR better yet, make you own, "Give Thanks" banner!
DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece by Mr. Kate:

source