6 Tips for An Amazing Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is upon us and is officially ushering in the holiday season! Before we know it, guests will be stopping by and the endless stream of parties and gatherings will take over. The hustle and bustle of the season, while fun, can get overwhelming. Thanksgiving originally began as a way to say thank you for the blessing of a bountiful harvest over the previous year. Thanksgiving has been celebrated since 1789 when George Washington issued a proclamation and then it eventually became a federal holiday in 1863 during the Civil War. Thanksgiving as we know it comes from the celebration the Pilgrims had after their first harvest in 1621. This “First Thanksgiving” lasted three whole days!

Thanksgiving in 2018 is a bit different… Of course, there’s sports on television and different types of food, but we are also grateful for very different things. We may no longer be blessing a victory or end of a drought, but we still all gather together to show gratitude and appreciation for the things and people we have in our lives. Whether you’re going to be a guest or host this Thanksgiving, we thought we would share a few tips with you. Hopefully these tips will make your time as a host or guest a little easier.

FOR THE HOST

Prep and Meal Plan

A Thanksgiving feast is just that…a feast and quite a lot goes into it. As a host you know how stressful this can be and planning ahead can make the world of difference. Sit down and plan out everything you can! From the turkey to the sides and the appetizers and desserts you should ask your guests about their allergies and food restrictions. Once you have a game plan together, know which sides you can make in advance. Prepping in advance allows for simple reheating and more time spent with guests.

Drinks for All Ages

Alcoholic beverages are a holiday staple. In addition to a stocked bar cart or wine selection, make sure there is a wide selection of drinks for all ages. Festive drinks like a sparkling cranberry punch can give younger guests a chance to toast with the adults. Cranberry is a very Thanksgiving flavor and is sure to please all of your guests.

Don’t Forget the Appetizers

Thanksgiving feasts take a lot of cook time. Appetizers like a cheese board or dips give guests something to munch on while you finish up the big meal. Choosing appetizers doesn’t have to be a whole new task; you can opt for frozen or store-bought options which will save time and resources. Just make sure to choose only a couple so that your guest’s stomachs aren’t full when the big meal finally arrives!

FOR THE GUEST

Offer to Help Clean Up

At the end of a giant meal comes the dreaded pile of dishes. It’s a difficult task for one person to handle especially a person who has just spent the entire day cooking! Taking on the dishes is easier when split into smaller chores. One person can clear the table while others wash, dry, and put dishes away where they belong. Plus, when more people help with the dishes, the faster you can get to dessert!

Write a Thank You Note

The art of the Thank You note may be long forgotten, but it shouldn’t be. A Thank You Note shows gratitude and thought. If you aren’t a fan of writing a note or using the Postal Service, an email, or a text is sufficient. All that matters is that you use one of these thoughtful details to show your host how thankful you are to be included in their celebration.

Don’t Arrive Empty Handed

Never arrive to a holiday gathering empty handed! You plan to load up your plate to the very brim with delicious offerings… so ask the host if you can bring anything, like a side or appetizer, to make their meal more successful. In fact, easy side dishes, appetizers, and desserts are often the most requested items! If the answer is no, bring a bottle of wine or seasonal flowers to adorn the table during your meal. Even the slightest gesture is sure to get you a return invite for next year!

We don’t want you to arrive empty handed, so we are sharing a new take one of Glove It’s favorite sides; ‪Green Bean Casserole. Enjoy this recipe for French Green Beans with Garlicky Almond Breadcrumbs.

Ingredients:

3 TBSP butter

1 ½ cup coarse fresh sourdough breadcrumbs

½ cup sliced almonds

2 cloves garlic

¼ cup chives

1 ½ pounds green beans

2 TBSP butter or olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add in breadcrumbs and almonds. Cook stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes or until bread is golden and almonds are toasted and fragrant.
2. Remove from heat, stir in chives and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss 1 ½ pounds of green beans in 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Transfer to a platter and sprinkle generously with breadcrumbs

RECIPE

Now that you have the tips to make you the best Thanksgiving host or guest, be sure to watch your inbox for amazing Glove It Black Friday deals!

Labor Day Style Tips

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and it’s time to say goodbye to rooftop cocktails, picnics, beach days, and the dog days of summer! While summer is slowly inching to a close, you may be heading to one of summer’s most popular activities: a BBQ. Labor Day BBQs are one of the most popular end of summer soirees. It’s a time to hang out with friends, family, and of course, look great. We want your summer BBQ to be hassle free whether you’re the hostess or just a treasured guest, so here are some tips for making the most of your Labor Day BBQ!

Summertime Style

Choose to Layer – Depending on where you live, it may get chilly after sunset. You want to be having a good time and getting cold isn’t fun for anyone. Tossing on a light cardigan or denim jacket will provide you with protection from a cool breeze. Plus, it can be tied around your waist leaving your hands free for eating and yard games.

Flats, Flats, Flats – Avoid the heels. It may be tempting to be the most stylish one there, but BBQs take place in the backyard after all. Minimize hazards and your chances of falling or being uncomfortable by rocking a chic pair of flats. You’ll never have to worry about the dreaded heel stuck in the grass moment while socializing.

Wear Light Colors – This may seem like a no brainer. Light colors keep you cooler in the summer heat. Neutrals like white and beige are chic and classic. Flowy linen pants, white blouses, or white dresses are feminine silhouettes that are breezy, comfortable, and stylish. Don’t forget the SPF!

Go Bold with Accessories – Pair bold accessories with your neutrals. This helps you stand out, make a personal statement, and show off your unique personality. Choose a print wristlet, visor or zip bag from Glove It! It will hold all of your essentials and be a pop of color not to mention a conversation starter! Plus, visors offer stylish, UV protection from the sun. It’s a win win.

Now that you are the most stylish person at the Labor Day BBQ, let’s make sure you didn’t forget anything. Check out our handy BBQ checklist! Everything you will need to have a hassle-free celebration to end your summer… And be on the lookout for Labor Day savings from Glove It!

4 Fun Things Your 4th of July Celebration Needs

Summer is in full swing, and one of the biggest events of the season is Independence Day. On the 4^th of July we gather together to celebrate America’s birthday with all of our family and friends. Whether you’re attending a celebration or throwing one, there are tons of fun ways to celebrate the holiday. We thought we would give you a little hand when it comes to your festivities. We have chosen 4 fun things to eat, drink, create, and make for your 4^th of July celebration!

EAT:

A patriotic dessert is always going to be a crowd pleaser. Give the usual American flag cake a break and try these fun patriotic cupcakes instead. Adding cupcakes to plastic wine glasses is a different, surprising take on presentation. It can dress up homemade cupcakes or add a little something extra to store bought treats. Plus the red, white, and blue candies give your guests a sweet treat to enjoy later or on their way home. Looking for a cold, refreshing treat instead? Try these Creamy Lemonade Bomb Pops or Red, White, and Blueberry Pops!

CREATE:

There are many ways to decorate your space featuring America’s iconic color scheme. Making a special craft that can be used year after year is a great way to show off your patriotism. This Patriotic Wreath is a simple DIY decoration made with clothespins. With a few simple craft supplies and a little bit of time, you’ll have an adorable wreath to display all summer long. This DIY uses a wire wreath frame so you have full control over how big or small your wreath ends up being. No matter what size you decide, your guests and neighbors will love it!

DRINK:

Hosting a party is made easy with a signature drink. We love this recipe for Red, White and Blue Wine Sparklers. It’s a lighter drink with the appearance of sangria. The cute fruit cut into star shapes adds extra patriotic flare. Whether presented in a pitcher or glasses, the appearance itself is sure to impress. If wine isn’t your flavor, try adding patriotic popsicles to champagne. Not to be forgotten, we have a drink suggestion for children and non-drinkers alike. This kid-friendly patriotic punch is sure to win hearts.

MAKE:

Cornhole is sweeping the nation. It’s the country’s most popular backyard game. This means no BBQ or party is complete without it. This DIY for a Stars and Stripes Cornhole game adds a patriotic flair to this crowd pleaser. Building a cornhole board is a little bit more labor-intensive than your usual DIY, but the hours of fun that will be had make it worth it. It will last for years and get plenty of use over the summer months. Host a tournament of your own and create teams with your party guests. Everyone will get to mingle, get to know each other, and have some fun.

Now you’re all set to host an entertaining 4^th of July celebration! There’s still plenty of time to get your party started off on the right foot. Summer entertaining can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we have you covered. Visit our Pinterest for more ideas to make your summer events the very best!