Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

The Best Part of Having a Thanksgiving Baby

Calling all fellow Thanksgiving baby parents!

You might be nervous about having a baby so close (or even on!) Turkey Day. Sharing a holiday was my biggest concern when I found out my due date was November 21st, but my thoughts have changed!

Now, I’ve got a little secret I’ve been itching to spill: having a Thanksgiving baby is like getting an extra scoop of joy on your pumpkin pie. Seriously, life with a November-born munchkin is a special kind of amazing, and today, I’m letting you in on why.

First off, let’s talk vibes. Fall has this cozy, fuzzy feeling, right? Well, add a tiny human to the mix, and boom! You’ve got yourself a living, breathing ball of cuteness. The crisp air, the warm hues, and the fact that our little one entered the scene during this season just amplifies the warm and fuzzies.

Find out why having a Thanksgiving baby is the best in this comprehensive post.

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Thanksgiving Dinner This-or-That Printable

Put the Halloween decorations away – it’s turkey time! Here is a Thanksgiving dinner this-or-that printable PDF!

The history we share about Thanksgiving has changed over time – and rightfully so. It’s about time we start telling the real story and honor those who were here before us.

Despite the change in tone and message of the holiday, one this has stayed the same: the FOOD!

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most recognizable and celebrated meals in America. The mashed potatoes, the stuffing, the turkey…it’s America’s specialty.

Although not as contentious as the conversation around Native Americans and Columbus, Thanksgiving dinner has it’s own slew of controversies.

My family had a mini-Thanksgiving feast to celebrate the first day of autumn, and I am remorseful to share that my daughter’s first experience with cranberry sauce came from a can. I’m a homemade cranberry sauce girl while my husband prefers the classic, sliced Ocean Spray stuff.

It brought up a lively debate over other Thanksgiving foods. Should the stuffing be homemade or store-bought? What part of the turkey is best? We don’t agree on any of it. Opposites attract, right? Thank goodness we’re not in charge of making Thanksgiving dinner, we’re just in charge of eating it.

Here is a Thanksgiving dinner this-or-that printable PDF that you can share on Thanksgiving day. You can read it with your kids on the way to Grandma’s or print one out for everyone at your table.

Thanksgiving Dinner This-or-ThatDownload

Do you also share strong opinions about Thanksgiving dinner? Is there something you just won’t serve at your table?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:

Thanksgiving Gifts for Babies

Thanksgiving is a month away, so here are some Thanksgiving gifts for babies!

It’s time to bring out the turkey and the mashed potatoes – the holiday of food, family, and gratitude is almost upon us. Babies love the delicious foods and company that comes with Thanksgiving.

My daughter’s birthday is just before Thanksgiving, so I know we will be adding some of these to her gift list!

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These gifts would make a wonderful distraction while you cook up Thanksgiving dinner or in between dinner and dessert. You could even create a Thanksgiving toy basket for your baby or toddler.

I also have a post on the best Thanksgiving books for babies and toddlers here.

Here are Thanksgiving gifts your baby will love!

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Stuffed Thanksgiving Turkey Toy

Caroline’s Treasures Fall Pumpkin Pie Baby Bib & Burp Cloth, 11 x 18″

Baby Starters Magic Years Soft, Crinkle Activity Book with Tabs and Strap – Happy Thanksgiving Turkey

Mud Pie Thanksgiving Bib

Happy Thanksgiving Bright Baby Book

Mud Pie Children’s Gobble Turkey Puzzle

You Are My Little Pumpkin Pie by Amy E. Sklansky

Head over to The Best Thanksgiving Books for Babies and Toddlers or 10 Thanksgiving Decorations Under $10!

Do you get your kids a little something-something for Thanksgiving?

Let me know below!

O.

Your Essential Autumn Bucket List!

My oh my, it’s finally here! My favorite season. Summers have been hot on Long Island recently. Usually by mid August I’m over the beach, bitter about the chafe between my thighs and a little bit crazed from the constant drone of the air conditioner.

Fall is my time. I put on my Ugg boots, my oversized scarf and I dig into my basic-ness. I embrace it now. Fall is the best, but it is fleeting. Before the stress of Christmas shopping, snow plows and the sun setting at 4 pm, this is the magical time, the golden season.

Since my cheesy soul comes out when the first hint of orange hits the trees, I wanted to compile a autumn bucket list. So, here are 30 things to do this fall.

  1. Go pumpkin picking.
  2. Find the freshest apple cider.
  3. Get out of town to see the leaves change.
  4. Make s’mores.
  5. Listen to a fall playlist.
  6. Make chili.
  7. Bring out the scarves and sheepskin boots.
  8. Eat candy corn.
  9. Make a fire.
  10. (Try to) cook a turkey.
  11. Do a fall photo shoot.
  12. Find a good plaid vest.
  13. Find an original halloween costume.
  14. Light fall scented candles.
  15. Experiment with soup recipes.
  16. Take a fall hike.
  17. Buy a fall themed wreath.
  18. Get candy for trick-or-treaters.
  19. Bake pumpkin bread.
  20. Put out fall/halloween decorations.
  21. Meditate while raking leaves (trust me on this one).
  22. Visit a haunted house.
  23. Make marshmallow yams.
  24. Bake a fall flavored pie.
  25. Get lost in a corn maze.
  26. Shamelessly order a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
  27. Carve a pumpkin.
  28. Bake apple cinnamon crisp.
  29. Take photos in the leaves.
  30. Give thanks.

I hope this makes you crave cinnamon and leggings and clever Instagram hashtags. Before you get lost in Thanksgiving festivities and holiday planning, take some time to play in the leaves, or carve a pumpkin. There’s nothing like honoring your inner child as the seasons change.

What’s your favorite season? What are your favorite fall activities? Let me know below!

 

O.

 

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