Happy Turkey Day, NoVA! Here’s our guide to help you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this year!

Thanksgiving Recipes

Release the Thanksgiving staple from a sugary cloak of marshmallows and let sweet potatoes shine in its sun-at-dusk colorful glory. [Things to Make with Sweet Potatoes]

Toasted Coconut & Sweet Potato Casserole [Reader Recipe]

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread [Another Reader Recipe]

Van Gogh Soup [Yep, Reader Recipe]

Thanksgiving Cocktails

Thanksgiving Dinner on Ice [Spike it.]

Rebecca Dudley of Market Table Bistro pairs local Catoctin Creek Distillery rye with an unusual—and Virginia-made—hickory syrup that’s both sweet and smoky. [Turn cider into adult time.]

4 Pre-Thanksgiving Tasting Events [Pair the wine.]

Thanksgiving Dinner

The Anti-Cook’s Survival Guide To Thanksgiving [Dine in or order out.]

Thanksgiving Dining Out Guide [Local Restaurants]

10 Pumpkin Dishes From NoVA’s 50 Best Restaurants [Cream of the Crop]

Thanksgiving Day

Healthy Events to Combat the Feast [Turkey Trots]

Impressing the In-Laws, Conversation Starters and Holiday Etiquette [Casserole Convo Catalyst]

Macy’s Day Parade, Redskins v. Cowboys, Thanksgiving Playlist + More [The Game Plan]

5 Tips for Smooth Travel During Thanksgiving Week [Dallas? Dulles?]

Thanksgiving with the Founders [Getaway to Charles City.]

A Full Day of Holiday Fun at Reston Town Center [RTC]

Thanksgiving Decor

Let’s Give Thanks [Etsy Adoration]

From sparkling silvers to brilliant bronzes to snazzy golds, metallic table accents are often reserved for the winter holidays, but who says Thanksgiving can’t shine? [Grateful for Glitz.]

Setting the Thanksgiving Table [Our Favorite Things]

Autumn Fabric Wreath [DIY]

Make your friends and family feel right at home. [The guests are coming!]

The retro gals at Oh So Lovely Vintage bring you a diagram of how to set your table for semi-formal dining. [Check out the atomic dishes!]

 

BONUS FUN: What Do Celebrity Babies Share with Presidentially Pardoned Turkeys?  [Find out.]

Photo credits: Marina Riley/Shutterstock.com Amy Kerkemeyer/Shutterstock.com