Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning our gatherings with loved ones and celebrating gratitude with delicious food, and lots of it! But we know that not all families are cut from the same pumpkin pie. 

Whether you’re hosting a fabulous Friendsgiving, packing your bags to visit distant family, wrangling a gaggle of kiddos, or sticking with a traditional family Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to dish out signature Thanksgiving recipes and handy tips tailored to every kind of family gathering. 

Plus, we’ll reveal how using real milk isn’t just a tasty addition to your fall recipes but is also your secret ingredient for boosting the nutrition in your dishes. So, let’s dig in and discover how to make this Thanksgiving extra special, however or with whomever you celebrate!

The Traditional Family Thanksgiving: How To Make It Special

Let’s start with a time-honored classic — the traditional family Thanksgiving. Picture it now: relatives from near and far are gathered together, swapping recent stories and reminiscing about old times while the mouthwatering aroma of your family Thanksgiving recipes fills the air. But it’s not as easy to pull off as it sounds! Let’s dive into some tips and fall recipes to make this year’s traditional Thanksgiving one to remember.

Classic Thanksgiving Recipes with a Nutritional Boost

Elevate your Thanksgiving staples with the tastiness and creaminess of real milk. Not only will you turn up the flavor, but you’ll be adding a nutritional kick to boot! Let’s see how.

Classic Roast Turkey

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without a plump, golden-brown turkey, but did you know that adding real milk to your turkey preparation is the secret to success? First off, brining your turkey in milk helps tenderize the meat and adds some of the milk’s sweetness to the taste that a traditional water-based brine simply can’t do.  Second, the milk-based gravy is the perfect topper that ties the whole dish together. It’s not just rich and tasty; it’s a source of calcium and protein – think strong bones and muscles!

Classic Stuffing

Everyone loves moist, flavorful stuffing, because let’s face it, dry stuffing is the worst! To avoid that dreaded dry stuffing, use real milk to make it creamy and delicious. But not only that – real milk has vitamin D and calcium for an added layer of nutrition.

Mouthwatering Mashed Potatoes

Everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish: Mashed potatoes! Real milk takes them from good to OMG by adding creaminess and flavor. Another bonus to rave about? Adding milk gives them a nutritional boost of calcium and protein. 

Green Bean and Shallot Casserole

Dress up a classic green bean casserole and create a new Thanksgiving tradition when you reimagine this dinner staple. Try this milk-infused version that mixes fresh green beans, cremini mushrooms, shallots and garlic to create a new flavor profile everyone will love.

Tips for Hosting a Traditional Family Thanksgiving

1. Plan Ahead: What’s your best chance of ensuring a smooth Thanksgiving family gathering? Starting your preparations early. Plan out a detailed checklist that includes your menu, a grocery list, and a timeline for cooking. If you’re having family members contribute a dish for the feast, make sure to give them plenty of notice and know in advance what they’re contributing so you’re sure to serve a well-balanced menu of meats, veggies, sides, and sweets. Avoid as much last-minute stress as possible by planning ahead!
2. Add a Personal Touch: While the Thanksgiving dinner staples feel familiar and nostalgic, don’t be afraid to add your unique touch. Go ahead and prepare the classic roast turkey everyone’s counting on, but how about giving it a special twist by marinating it in a secret family sauce, or adding something deliciously unexpected to your traditional stuffing? All it takes is a little surprise burst of flavor to make that Thanksgiving meal uniquely yours.
3. Get the Timing Right: One of the most challenging parts of serving Thanksgiving dinner is making sure all of the hot dishes are ready at the same time as they’re served as they’re served as intended – hot! This requires careful planning of your cooking schedule by accurately calculating the cooking time for your turkey and other dishes. Once you know that, work backward from your planned mealtime and stay on schedule. 
4. Make it Cozy: Thanksgiving is not just about the food; it’s about creating that nostalgic, inviting atmosphere. Embrace family traditions and add seasonal touches to your decor with pumpkins, fall leaves, and candles. The ambiance adds an extra layer of togetherness to your Thanksgiving gathering.
5. Schedule a Gratitude Moment: This doesn’t have to be overly formal or structured, but taking a moment during dinner for everyone to express gratitude adds a special touch to the day.  Either go around the table and have everyone share what they’re thankful for, or have them jot down their gratitude on a piece of paper and put in a bowl for someone to read out loud at the dinner table.

Friendsgiving: Tips For a Memorable Celebration

A popular modern addition to the Thanksgiving holiday is Friendsgiving, which is all about celebrating with your closest pals and having a good time. Whether you choose to celebrate with friends because you’re far away from family, or just love the idea of having both a traditional family Thanksgiving and a Friendsgiving (who wouldn’t jump at the chance to feast on Thanksgiving dishes twice?), we have some fun tips and recipes to make this the best Friendsgiving ever.

Remember you can keep Friendsgiving as classic or untraditional as you’d like — there are no rules! But here are some tips and recipes you might enjoy trying this Friendsgiving.

Fun Friendsgiving Recipes

Mexican Pumpkin Rice Pudding

This is the Friendsgiving twist you’ve been waiting for. Traditional rice pudding gets a spicy pumpkin makeover, creating a flavorful fusion of two worlds. Mix pumpkin puree with honey and milk, infusing cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon for a unique dessert that’s sure to be a hit.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potato and Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but let’s give them a fun Friendsgiving twist. Mix russet potatoes and cauliflower florets in your slow cooker with a milk broth to create the perfect mash. Top with a trio of cheeses, brown butter and fresh sage, and you’ve just created a new favorite holiday recipe. Plus, milk adds essential nutrients like calcium and protein to the mix, making a side dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

Tips for Hosting a Memorable Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is all about togetherness and making memories. Keep it fun and lively with these tips:

• Involve Everyone: Talk about a perfect potluck moment! Encourage your friends to bring their favorite signature dishes or drinks. Make it a party that lets everyone’s individual personality shine.
• Plan fun activities: Games, games, games! From board games to charades, it’s game on!
• Give it a theme: A fun way to spend Friendsgiving is to choose a fun theme that you’re all interested in and can go all out with! It could be based on one of your crew’s favorite movies, a TV show you all love, or an era like a 70s or 80s party. Tell your friends to get creative with their attire and recipes for the occasion.

Thanksgiving With Lots of Kids: Ways to Create A Day of Fun

Thanksgiving is all about good times with family and enjoying a delicious meal that gets everyone, especially the kids, excited. But when you’ve got a bunch of little ones running around, it’s good to plan ahead and make sure Thanksgiving goes off without a hitch. That’s where your creativity comes in! 

Here we’ll share some awesome kid-friendly recipes and tips on how to make Thanksgiving a real success with the littles. Again, milk is going to be your sidekick here! It can add a touch of fun and nutrition, whether you’re using it in creamy sides or cool craft projects.

Kids Thanksgiving Recipes

Easy, Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

So easy and so delicious, this is a kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipe you need to include on the menu. Made with sharp cheddar cheese and wholesome real milk, this delicious dish will also provide a nutritious dose of calcium and protein to their day. Don’t be surprised if the adults dig in too, so be sure to make plenty for everyone.

Mashed Potato Cupcakes

Too easy and too cute not to do! Simply scoop some of your Thanksgiving mashed potatoes into a cupcake liner and top with “gravy frosting.” You can’t go wrong with anything presented as a cupcake! This is a kids Thanksgiving recipe the kids will surely gobble up.

Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained on Thanksgiving

• Schedule craft time: It’s a fact, kids love crafts! Set up a special station with kid-friendly supplies like blank paper, colored paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and seasonal items like leaves and flowers that they can get creative with.

Remember all that milk you’ll be using to create your yummy Thanksgiving dishes? Save the cartons and use them for crafts. Here an easy DIY Turkey craft the kids will love:

Milk Carton Turkey Craft

Simply wash out each milk jug and round up some scissors, red and brown acrylic paint,  googly eyes, black pompoms, glue, and multi-colored construction paper. Follow the step-by-step instructions for the milk carton turkey craft, and watch as the kids bring this adorable craft to life!

• Play Games: There are plenty of simple games you can set up to keep the kiddos entertained. Giving a Thanksgiving twist to classic games is always a good way to go! Think pumpkin ring toss or a turkey-themed scavenger hunt – they’ll love it.

Thanksgiving Away From Home: Essential Tips For Taking Your Feast On The Road

Sometimes, Thanksgiving isn’t always where the home is – it’s where the family is! So if you have family and friends that are far away, that means packing up your Thanksgiving spread and hitting the road. But don’t worry, real milk’s coming along for the ride, making sure your dishes stay tasty and nutritious.

Signature Travel-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

Pumpkin Pie Squares

Single-serve treats are perfect for the road. Real milk adds a nutritious punch to the creamy pumpkin filling, making them a delightful and healthy treat on the go. To keep the sweeet yogurt-based topping fresh, you can pack up the yogurt in a cooler and quickly whip it up with the sugar and cinnamon once you arrive at your destination.

Chilled Sweet Potato Salad

Take your favorite potato salad recipe and turn into a fall recipe by substituting regular potatoes for sweet potatoes! It’s a delicious twist that’s not only delicious but also convenient for taking on the road; it’s served cold, allowing you to prepare it in advance and keep it chilled during your journey. An easy,  practical choice for a Thanksgiving celebration away from home.

Tips for Traveling with Thanksgiving Food on the go

Traveling with Thanksgiving food can be a challenge (especially for longer road trips) but with proper planning, your dishes can arrive at your distant family gathering in perfect condition. Here are some useful tips:

• Pack Carefully: Invest in sturdy, airtight containers that won’t leak. Be sure to double-check that lids are secured tightly to avoid any spills during transit. For casseroles or pies, consider using insulated carriers.
• Prepare Food in Advance: To minimize the cooking required upon arrival, cook as much as you can before you set off. This includes fully baking pies or roasting turkey. Reheating is your travel-friendly trick. It’s also a great idea to slice your turkey or roast into portions for easier serving.
• Safe Storage: Be mindful of food safety on the road. Keep cold foods cold (place items in a cooler to keep them at or below 40° or below), and keep hot foods hot (transport dishes in insulation containers or hot packs to keep at or above 140°).  Use a thermometer to check that your food stays within the safe temperature range.

And there you have it — your tips and recipes for a Thanksgiving to remember. Whether it’s a large family gathering or an intimate Friendsgiving fiesta, here’s to a Thanksgiving that’s as awesome as your favorite dish. But, let’s not forget, it’s not just about the delicious food; it’s about cherishing the good times and soaking up the gratitude. Cheers and happy feasting!