Hints for a happy holiday season

 

I don't find the November issues of most magazines very helpful. I don't need a Turkey 101 article, because I know how to roast a turkey. I don't want recipes for new and exciting side dishes, because we like the food Exactly The Same Way Every Year. And I already know to do stuff like get the prep work out of the way, as evidenced by the chopped celery and washed cranberries.

What I'd like to do, then, is provide the occasional hint that has proven useful to me but that you might not have read about elsewhere. We'll come back to this photo and the Swanky Swig in a moment.

 

Hint # 1: If something falls apart in your hands when you pick it up at the thrift store, don't necessarily decide against buying it.

This pink shelf (which is just propped up for the moment) broke into two pieces when I picked it up off the shelf at the Salvation Army yesterday. That's usually not a good sign. However ...

 

with a little nailing and gluing, it's ready to use. For $1.99 and chippy pink paint, I'm willing to do a 10-minute repair job. And I need all the shelf space I can get at Christmas.

 

 Hint #2: Visit overpriced antique stores during the holiday season.

Even if the prices on some Christmas decorations are high, there are still bargains to be found. These mint-in-the-original-package balls on silver stems were selling for thrift-store prices.
 
 

Here's how they looked before I took them out of the package. I'm betting the Treasures store was pretty fabulous in its day. Even if calling it "A Woman's Paradise" might be overstating the case a bit.

 

 Hint #3: Have a pretty juice glass handy as you cook Thanksgiving dinner.

This year I've selected a black tulip-patterned Swanky Swig for an essential part of my Thanksgiving preparations. First, you'll want to fill the glass with a nice white wine to deglaze the roasting pan and get all of the pan juices for gravy. The Swig is just the right size for this.

Then, if, for example, your husband has just left to pick up the difficult relative who joins you for Every Single Holiday, and you like to keep alcohol as far away as possible from the relative who is difficult enough as it is, you may choose to refill the Swanky Swig with wine. You may choose to sip discreetly from it as you cook, and you may find that you are able to face the next few hours with an even calmer and more cheerful spirit. A Swig does not hold all that much wine, but you may find some sort of adolescent joy in the covert nature of the activity.

I hope these hints prove useful to you.

Comments

[julie]

I'm totally getting myself a Swanky Swig. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Barbara!

[Lavender Dreams]

Great tips! I wonder if my glass could have some light white wine in it? heehee! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[Sonya Dime Store Thrift]

Oh Wise Woman, I raise my tiny swig glass in your direction this holiday season.
Hugs, Sonya

[Brenda Kula]

Great advice! I guess I'm lucky in that I have no big family and usually spend a quiet holiday with the pets. As the husband is usually working. No "rather difficult" relatives to deal with! I'm hoping you get through the day without too many "family landmines" getting stepped on inadvertently!
Brenda

[laurie magpie ethel]

You are a devious woman with that swanky swig...swigging away in the kitchen huh? have a great holiday!
(good fix on the pink shelf too)

[Paige]

You crack me up!! That's the best holiday tip I've seen yet. CHEERS!!

[Lynn]

A bottle of "the cooks wine" can usually be found underneath our kitchen sink or behind the spice rack - not that I have a drinking problem, the problem is that the rest of my guests are teetotalers.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[georgiapeachez]

I know all about that wine in the petite swanky swig trick. Mine is pink with white. Just the perfect size to stash behind the cutting boards stacked up next to the bread box. uh huh.
Thanks for an interesting holiday post, now back to working my way through all the "happy holiday" ones. Wish I could just do a batch delete on those. uh oh. Must be time to refill the S.S. xo, suzy

[two crazy crafters]

Now That's advice I can Use! Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving. Twyla

[Carol]

Thanks so much for making my day!!!I love your sense of humour and plan on making use of my swanky swig for Christmas!
Cheers and Bottoms Up!~Carol

[LiLi M.]

You always crack me up! I'm having a small Thanksgiving party over here, as I am visiting all Thanksgiving posts this morning. Makes me feel thankful though. It is raining outside, there is nothing I need to do, but read and be happy, now isn't that a reason to be thankful (and cheerful). That pink shelf is to die for! I think I have that hint nr. 1 baked on a tile. (I am not sure if you have those tiles with 'wisdom' quotes like: my home is my castle etc.)
I love that name 'a woman's paradise'. I thought that the very first department store in Paris was called something like that, but now I know: Emile Zola wrote a novel about the rise of the department store that's called in translation a ladies' paradise, even better than a women's paradise, but the French original title wins: au bonheur des dames (in the ladies' happiness).

[LiLi M.]

Forgot to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving with your relatives (all of them!).

[Jenny @ The Red Bulletin Board]

Sorry, that swig glass is toooo small for my relatives!!! hehehehe!

[Sue]

Excellent and useful advice! In fact, I'm shocked most recipes don't call for a swanky swig nearby....