Talking Turkey

Before you know it, Thanksgiving – and the hungry hoards – will be upon you, so now is really the best time to get your house cozy and organized ahead of the holidays. Urban Nest are firm believers in a harmonious home, so we’re going to share with you some basic tips to help minimize stress on the big day.

1. Sort through the pantry and take stock of what you already have, and what you’ll need (hint: cranberry sauce, and lots of it). This is also an ideal time to put aside any non-perishable items that you might no longer want or need – and that have not yet reached their expiration date – and start a collection for a local holiday food drive, killing two (roasting) birds with one stone.

2. Clean all the things! Or at least clear the cobwebs, scrub the bathroom, take inventory of sheets and towels if you’re having guests stay, and ensure that no-one is forced to brave the shops during one of the craziest times of the year.

3. Thanksgiving, like Christmas, deeply engages olfactory nostalgia. Evoke the Autumn spirit by gently simmering a pot of water with some fragrant spices and oils – such as cinnamon sticks, orange rind, and cloves – to make the house feel like a warm, welcoming hug.

4. Have fun! Yes, you still need to brine the turkey, bake some pie, mediate family disagreements, roast some chestnuts, and mull some wine, but of far more importance than all of your effort and hard work is to just relax and enjoy the holiday for what it represents to you…and maybe deal with the mess the following day.