Maybe it’s just me or is Thanksgiving the day after Halloween? 

The holidays come so fast and with them so many things to do.  It can be easy to get lost in the doing. 

Consider this post as your gentle reminder to make room for joy this Thanksgiving.

Making room for joy doesn’t have to be a big deal.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of creating the  space for it.

Here are 8 ways to make room for joy this Thanksgiving! 

{I’ll save the best for last!}

8. Make room in the freezer.

Where will all those extra groceries go?  There’s nothing more frustrating than not having a place to put things after a grocery trip.  

Break down boxes and repackage things in freezer bags whenever possible.  Some things come in their own plastic wrap inside the box, so you might not need freezer bags for everything.

Create a mantra as you karate chop those bad boys.  I was singing “peach cobbler + sweet potato pie” under my breath. LOL.

Don’t overthink it. Just make some room for the goodness to come.  The end!

7. Make room in the pantry.

Thanksgiving brings so many dry goods – the baking things, the extra spices, the dressing, the cornbread, the macaroni!  Sure we could put all those things away, but they are going to get pulled back out in 1.2 seconds. 

So repurpose a box or bin in the pantry for all the Thanksgiving things.  No pantry. No problem! Use a box in the corner of the kitchen for all that Thanksgiving goodness.  

Having dry goods and spices in one spot, off to the side, will keep your countertops clear until the cooking days. We have enough to do without being bogged down by physical clutter. 

Clean Countertops= Less Stress!

You can also pull recipe ingredients to this dedicated location and take an inventory of the things you already have before going to the store.

Save your sanity and money honey!

6. Make room in the closet.

I know this one sounds strange but hear me out.  If you are having guests over this holiday season, they will probably come with coats. 

• Where do you want guests to put their coats?
• Do you have enough room in the closet?
• Do you have enough hangers?

If you don’t have a coat closet, then what room/area do you plan to put the guests’ coats?  Do you have a portable hanging rack you can repurpose for the day?  Do you have a room/space near the front door that can be made into a make shift drop zone. 

Back in the day, I remember my parents taking coats and putting them across their bed.  Personally, that’s too invasive for me.  That gives people a reason to go into our bedroom sanctuary (inevitably somebody leaves and gets their own coat; cars need to be moved and so they need their jacket). I don’t want that kind of extra stress. 

The coat closet is something we often don’t think about until the guests arrive.  So let’s all round up some extra hangers and make room for guests.  

5. Make room for cozy.

I am obsessed with fuzzy couch blankets. I’m also obsessed with finding seasonal blankets from Target and HomeGoods.  I’ve even found blankets at the Aldi’s and the grocery store.  

I will wash and round up blankets so every person who visits has a layer of cozy, if they wish.  I wash them before and after with my favorite fabric softner, Downy Lavender + Vanilla.  They smell so g’wood!

What’s more inviting than a cozy blanket on the couch?

It’s cozy season!   Let’s go!

4. Make room for cuteness.

Cuteness will always #cr8joi.  Whether you have cute outfit or jammies, cute nails + toes, or a lippie . . . make room for cuteness.  

You can also make room for cuteness around the house.  The mission of cr8joi is to create joy where we live, love, and learn, right?  So why wouldn’t you make the house cute?

Here are a few simple ideas:

• Maybe you cluster a few decorative, seasonal items around a scented candle. 
• Place a few knick knacks by the coffee station. 
• Pull your cutest cups and make a beverage station.  Throw some cherries on toothpicks or lemon, lime, orange wedges in a bowl to make things real fancy.  Whatever fruit you still have will work!
• Where are all those cute hand and dish towels? 
• Throw some nuts and candies in in a dish on the coffee table.
• Fold the napkins real fancy.  
• Use seasonal scented soap.
• Frame a few candid pictures of the family on previous Thanksgivings to decorate the house.

Shop your house!  It’s free! I’m know you have something cute around there.

There’s always room for cuteness!  

3. Make room for leftovers.

The minute you start cooking is about the time the fridge starts shrinking.  Now is the time to make room for the leftovers!

1. Clean out that fridge and remove anything that can be shelf stable. 
2. Take out fruit and place it in a bowl.  Make a veggie plate and set it out.  It’s time for the people to eat up.
3. Goodbye, applesauce and juice boxes.  They can live without refrigeration until the holiday is over.
4. Pop (not soda, I’m from Michigan!) can come out.  You can serve pop with ice. Tighten those bad boys.  They can go back in the fridge later.

The biggest thing you can do to make room for leftovers, is to have the same type of containers that stack into each other. 

Personally, I’ve been obsessed with a set of glass containers by Snapware.  I found them at Costco a few years back.  I have two sets that have been going strong for a few years now. They clean up super well and I’m not worried about plastic leaking into my food. The best part is they stack so nicely on top of each other.  

Make room for the leftovers friend because Mommy is not cooking for a while!

2. Make room for traditions, or maybe not.

I talked about holiday amnesia + hectivity in my last JOI NOTE.  Click here if you missed it, be sure to subscribe while you are there.  It was a good one!

The main idea was some traditions just don’t work anymore.  These stuck-on traditions and might need to be revamped or thrown away altogether.  Maybe you need to create some new tradions. 

It’s your holiday too!  Create a holiday experience that brings you joy!

1. Make room for joy!

No matter what your TO DO list and cooking itinerary looks like, you better make room for joy! 

That’s the whole point! Don’t miss the opportunity to intentionally get your mind right. 

It’s gratitude season! 

Set on your mind on all the beautiful blessings you have. 

What little things can you sprinkle into your Thanksgiving break, outside the big meal. 

What will bring YOU some joy?

I love taking pictures because they remind me of those small joyFULL moments. 

Think of yourself as a camera during this week.   What joyFULL moments can you capture?

Intentional joy doesn’t have to be big.  In fact, it can be as small as sipping a hot cup of coffee with a sliver of sweet potato pie!  

I pray you have a joyFULL Thanksgiving!  #cr8joi

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