My head has been swimming with ideas, but I’m still trying to get them down on paper, due to general end-of-semester distractions.  With things being busy and crazy, I’m thankful to have Mel as a guest-blogger.  Certainly, this was the kind of advice I needed to hear, at least so that I can make it through this week:

On Tackling the Thanksgiving Holidays by Melissa Voynich

Oh, the holidays. Turkey, casseroles, seemingly endless dessert trays, travels, family, and, for me, stress and fatigue.

Over the next week, many of us will be remarking on the Thanksgiving feast that has been set before us. Some of us will indulge in turkey and casseroles at home, and some of us will be traveling across states to see family – or get away from them. Some do both, and some do neither.

No matter how you celebrate it, the Thanksgiving holidays cause stress for many people trying to balance the work, cooking, cleaning, traveling, and family mingling that happens.

Below I have provided some ways to tips on how to combat this stress creatively and (hopefully) spice up your Thanksgiving. Some might even make you feel good about yourself for a little while, and many of them will get you through potential holiday boredom. Here goes:

1. Make bean dip. Cooking is often stressful around the holiday time, but I have found that no matter who is around, everyone seems to love bean dip. For a simple dish to bring any place, and for a way to avoid eating Uncle Fred’s Shrimp Surprise, just dump a can of black beans into a melted bowl of Velveeta and stir. You will be thanked.

2. Pack board games. Board games are not just for kids, and they help avoid the turkey-induced hours of inactivity and boredom after big meals. I highly recommend the game “Apples to Apples” for pretty much anyone who can read. It can be serious or downright hilarious, and it is easy to explain to a big crowd. I have played this game with parents on Father’s day and with bachelorette groups. It’s great.

3. Learn a few good jokes. Try to make the jokes regard the same general subject area (like football, turkey, or one weird family member). Once with other people, start a conversation about that subject. As you unleash your jokes, at worst you will be entertaining yourself and can change the subject. At best, you become the life of the party, everyone praises you for your sense of humor, and even the neighbors come over to hear your funnies.

4. Make a photo album of a big event that happened since last time you saw your family and friends. This will be a good conversation starter to pass around, and it makes you look like you are really organized and rather artsy. You can always make up events or stories if you don’t have any.

5. Offer to be the Pet Sitter. Let’s say your cousin always brings her dumb poodle to Thanksgiving, and your grandpa has a gerbil that is really annoying as it crawls the tile floor in its ball. Offer to take all the pets on a long walk. You can escape if you need, get exercise if you need, and let the dumb poodle run away if you need. Remember, gerbils look funny on leashes, and even funnier if they are in a ball tied to a leash. Besides, your family might actually appreciate your kind offer to take care of the pets.

6. Offer to be the Kid Sitter. Up the ante on pets, and offer to take any child younger than 6 out of the house for a while so adults can bust out the real rum cake, clean a bit, and/or take a breather. A good rule of thumb on childcare for me is about one adult to every two kids, so you might need to corral some help on this one.

7. Convince your family/friends to go see a kiddie movie. I am an adult who is willing to admit I have seen Madagascar 2 and Bolt within a week of premiere, and I liked them both. A showing of Madagascar 2 can be turned into a day-long activity if you rent the original Madagascar and watch it first. Bolt is in 3-D at many theaters, so you get some cool 3-D shades to wear and keep if you want.

8. Be the family photographer. There always is that one family member or friend who always around, in a corner, behind a door, or on the floor getting the prize shots of Thanksgiving. Might as well be you.

9. Support a cause. At Auburn’s Chik-Fil-A restaurants from Nov. 24-29, a portion of the proceeds from each purchase will go to support research on the life-threatening illness afflicting AU Baseball coach John Pawlowski’s daughter. If you need a tray of chicken nuggets for any event, consider this option. Or go volunteer at any shelter or facility distributing Thanksgiving meals to those in need. There are plenty to choose from, and help is always needed, as there are many who don’t have families to see or places to go for the holidays.

10. Give thanks again and again and again. Remember that many postal employees, many federal workers, police, and firefighters (to name a few) do not get a formal break over the Holidays. Some mall employees are busy setting displays for shoppers on Thanksgiving night, airlines are functioning, and grocery stores are open for your convenience. Even many gyms are open for those people who need a good work out before or after a large meal. Why don’t you buy a few cards and write s short note of thanks? Many people are not taking breaks so that others can take breaks, so say, “Thank you” to any one you see. What do you have to lose?

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!