This week’s ritual is all about how I need to shake up my traditions this year. For you, what I’m doing is probably something close to what you do and what your mother did and what your grandmother did, etc. I tend to be a bit non-traditional (as was my family AND my husband’s family). So doing anything that looks normal isn’t usually in our playbook, but this year I’m giving them the unexpected tradition with a twist.
If you know me, you know I don’t do holidays “by the book.” Some years, we’ve eaten Thanksgiving dinner sitting on the floor. Other years, it’s been outside by the pool in our swimsuits. We’ve had burgers and hot dogs instead of turkey and heated political debates instead of football. My family expects the unexpected. They’d think it was unconventional to do anything “by the books.”
But this year? I’m shocking everyone by going traditional.
Think: the kind of Thanksgiving that looks like it came straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. A perfectly set table, a golden-brown turkey (if I can pull it off), and all the trimmings. My ritual this week is about leaning into what feels classic, grounding, and familiar, but in a way that still feels like me. They’re either going to laugh and enjoy it or think I’ve totally lost it.
Because sometimes, the most unexpected thing you can do…is embrace the expected.
1. Setting the Table: Create the Scene
A beautiful table sets the tone for the day. Like I said, I wanted that Norman Rockwell painting moment when everyone is sitting around the table, mom brings the bird, and dad carves it (this is a warning to my family). It’s the kind of table that makes you stop, smile, and feel like you’re living in a time when everything was good with the world, something that I don’t know about you…But I NEED that this year.
I’m setting the table with Pfaltzgraff’s Plymouth dinnerware, which just screams Thanksgiving. The warm, autumnal tones and timeless pattern are pure nostalgia. Every plate and piece of silverware feels like a nod to generations of family dinners before us, even if our family’s version usually includes laughing over spilled wine (yes, in Pfaltzgraff-themed wine glasses) or Jack thinks that the turkey leg should be beaten against his high chair.
My Tip: Add personal touches to the place settings — hand-written name cards, a small sprig of rosemary, or a folded napkin tied with twine. It makes the table feel like a celebration instead of just a meal.
What I Use: Pfaltzgraff Pilgrim Table Setting — it’s my ode to tradition this year, it’s Thanksgiving from plate to platter, gravy boat to silverware. I’m doing it BIG (Jack even has a place setting on his high chair).
2. Cleaning Ritual: Preparing the Space
Before the guests arrive, I do a pre-holiday cleanse, and I don’t mean juice. I mean the kind that involves floors, counters, and every surface that collects dust when I’m not looking. I tend to “overlook” these things. My mother used to say that as long as things weren’t “messy,” no one would notice if the house wasn’t spotless. So, I’m admitting to you right now…my house is NEVER spotless (a warning if you come to visit). There are just too many more enjoyable things to do than scrub floors.
If you think this part of the ritual is soothing to me, YOU’RE WRONG. But I know I have to do it, and I also understand that a clean home makes space for good energy, laughter, and love. And I’ll be honest, I do like seeing the house sparkle before the first guest walks in, even if it’s only on special occasions.
My Tip: Don’t wait until the day of Thanksgiving to clean. Do it a couple of days before, so you can focus on cooking, dressing up, and sipping wine (aka: the important stuff).
What I Use: The Kenmore Elite Litening™ Cordless Upright Vac is my secret weapon. It’s lightweight, cordless, and makes cleaning feel almost effortless. I can zip around the house without cords tangling around furniture, and it gets into those pesky corners that guests somehow always notice.
Before I got this vacuum, I had a VERY high-priced one (it cost me almost 3 times what this one costs) that did a FRACTION of what this one can do. It’s a 24V lithium-ion battery, runs a full 40 minutes, which is long enough to clean your entire home, and it comes with a second battery that you can easily pop in once it runs out and with four times the suction power, it gets DOWN into the carpet. If you have pets, you’ll appreciate the hair eliminator nozzle as well as the sealed, advanced HEPA filtration that captures 99.97% of dust and pet dander inside the vacuum.
You can pop the canister off and pretend you’re on one of those cleaning commercials where the person smiles serenely while effortlessly reaching cobwebs above the curtains because it’s got a hidden hose and a 3-in-1 cleaning tool for ceilings, curtains, furniture…you name it. But for me, it’s all about the weight, because I’ve got a bad back and it’s probably the lightest vacuum I’ve ever owned. Oh and it has a full-on docking station to recharge the vac AND the extra battery at the same time.
3. Cooking from Scratch: Finding Joy in the Process
I used to dread all-day cooking; that’s why I married Mr. S (he owned restaurants and was a chef). Now, I understand it as part of the ritual, a chance to create, taste, and laugh in the kitchen while music plays in the background. I still rely on him for most of the heavy work, but there’s something grounding about chopping vegetables, stirring sauces, and preparing food that you know will make people smile.
This year, I’m we’re cooking everything from scratch. No shortcuts, no takeout sides, no frozen pie shells. Just real, simple, homemade food. My husband is so good at it, and I’ve learned to cook alongside him without getting in the way of each other. I chop, he seasons and cooks. He handles the main dishes, and I do the desserts.
My Tip: Start early in the morning, light a candle, turn on your favorite playlist, and make the kitchen your happy place. Cooking can be therapy when you let it be, even for someone like me who is not exactly Ina Garten.
What I Use: My new Henckels 20-Piece Self-Sharpening Knife Block Set is an absolute game-changer. Each knife sharpens itself when you pull it out, so every slice feels effortless. Perfect for prepping vegetables, carving turkey, or slicing pie (and for showing off to anyone hovering near the cutting board pretending to “help”). As the one who’s doing ALL of the chopping, I’m very grateful for the self-sharpening feature (as if you’ve ever used a dull blade, you know what a chore it becomes).
Best of all is the balance of the handle to blade. It makes chopping faster and more precise, and the ergonomic handle fits snugly into your hand (resting at the right place in your palm). The knives are dishwasher safe. To be fair, I never put my knives in the dishwasher. I like to make sure the blades are dried immediately after washing, but for those who want to toss everything in to clean, you’ll love it.
I have to say, the first time I heard the sound of the blade going in and out of the block (which is gorgeous), I got shivers from the sound of it sharpening (can you tell this is my first self-sharpening set of knives???). Plus, this set includes all of the knives any home chef would need, from paring knives to cook’s knife and scissors to steak knives.
4. Appetizers: Start the Celebration Early
I’m all for keeping things casual before the main meal. Guests arrive, they grab a drink, and the kitchen turns into the most popular room in the house. This year’s starter spread is all about easy elegance.
My Tip: Keep the appetizers small and stress-free. The point is to relax and connect — not to spend all day perfecting finger foods.
What I Use: The Marin French Cheese Co. Petite Trio Gift Basket is the star of my appetizer ritual. Creamy brie, tangy triple crème, and buttery camembert — the kind of cheeses that make you forget there’s an entire meal still to come. I serve them with crackers, sliced pears, and a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.
5. Baking Memories: Sweet Traditions
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know cookies are my love language. And this year, they’re making a big comeback. Since Aunt Shelley’s “famous” chocolate chip cookies didn’t exactly go as planned last year, I’m taking no chances.
My Tip: Bake the night before Thanksgiving so the house smells incredible when guests arrive. That warm, buttery scent is half the experience.
What I Use: I’m using My Better Batch to make foolproof, delicious cookies. Every batch comes out perfect, which is exactly what I need when I’ve already got five other things happening in the kitchen. Plus, Jack loves helping (mostly by licking the bowl, but we’ll call it quality control).
Being able to make “homemade” without spending an entire day doing it, and no one ever knowing that it came from a mix – GENIUS. You can thank me later!!
6. The Flavor Boost: Adding a Little Zing
Even though I’m going traditional this year, I can’t help myself; there has to be a little twist. I’m setting out a tray of fun flavors so everyone can personalize their plate. If you like it traditional, go for it. But, if you want to coat, dip, drizzle, or dollop, the table will be ready for you to be as unconventional as you want, because this is a family dinner, and everyone should enjoy the meal that they really want.
My Tip: Put out small ramekins of different sauces and let guests experiment. It sparks conversation and brings an element of playfulness to the meal.
What I Use: The Silver Spring Signature Sauces — especially the horseradish aioli give even the most classic dishes that extra pop. It’s unexpected, and I love that. I happen to love horseradish. It reminds me of the Jewish holidays (and I used to eat horseradish on a piece of matzah as a treat). Needless to say, the Horseradish Bistro Aioli is my favorite (but with these sauces – to each his/her/their own). A side of Signature Hot Honey Chili Sauce on turkey sounds yummy to me, but my husband would rather have the Garlic Parmesan Aioli (probably because he uses it to marinate chicken with on non-holiday nights).
7. Toasting Together: Sip, Smile, Celebrate
No feast is complete without a good cocktail. While the turkey rests, I’ll be at the counter blending up frozen cranberry margaritas and pumpkin spice cocktails that’ll have everyone toasting before the first slice is carved.
My Tip: Batch your cocktails early. That way, you can actually enjoy having a drink with your guests instead of playing bartender all night. I also make batches of mocktails and serve them up garnished in cocktail glasses for the kids (and any guests who don’t drink alcohol). Everyone should have a fancy glass of la-dee-dah in hand to toast the holiday with.
What I Use: The Tribest Back-Spin Blender makes perfect frozen drinks. I use it for my smoothies every day, and it makes the most smooth, creamiest, and frostiest drinks. It makes Florida feel like fall (I’m doing pumpkin spiced smoothies with a shot of spiced rum for the grown-ups).
The blender spins in BOTH directions so it can handle frozen fruit like a champ (no clumps). It’s small enough to make a batch of frozen drinks for the kids quickly and a batch for the adults (kids’ batch first, so you just add the same ingredients PLUS rum for the second batch).
Plus, it’s compact and easy to clean, which means less mess and more time for celebrating.
Wrapping It Up
This year’s Thanksgiving ritual isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about slowing down, honoring tradition, and finding joy in every detail — from cleaning and cooking to setting the table and raising a glass.
For a family that thrives on the unconventional, doing something conventional is my way of keeping things interesting. And honestly? There’s something fun about it.
This week’s ritual: Do something a little different this year. Whether it’s leaning into tradition or making an avant-garde holiday, surprise yourself!!! Do it with simplicity, and celebrate the fun of family gathering together, whether it be traditional or totally unconventional…make it yours.
Because sometimes the most unexpected thing you can do is make everything feel just right.
