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2. Ask for help Just because the family gathering is at your house doesn't mean you have to provide all the food. There is no reason why cousin Kate can't bring the pies or sister Sally bring the stuffing. If you provide the turkey, ask each family unit to bring a dish. This is a great way for everyone to share in the load and appreciate the cooking skills and recipes of loved ones. In fact, have everyone who brings a dish bring the recipe typed on a 3x5 card. Collect all the cards and compile a little family cookbook to present to everyone else by Christmas. 3. Think outside the box Do you really need to serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal? Take a poll of family members. Would pasta and salad suffice? Our family features a different ethnic food each Christmas. Try having a Chinese or German feast instead. If the fo- cus is on the fellowship and not the food, it doesn't really matter what you eat. 4. Use your china Modern families think nothing of splurging on paper when the tribe comes to feast. From paper tablecloths to paper plates, napkins, and cups, this habit adds a considerable expense to the meal. Show your family how special they are by breaking out the china. Do it up right with a linen tablecloth, silver, and crystal. If you are nervous about the children using your precious things, at least give them the Corelle. Since no one wants to get stuck in the kitchen, when it comes time to do the dishes make a game of getting it done. 5. Skip the meal altogether Rather than keeping to yourselves this Thanksgiving, consider having the family serve in a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or nursing home. Sharing love with those less fortunate than ourselves brings greater rewards than lying over-stuffed on the sofa in front of a ball game. After sharing "Watching the ads tells you when the price is right — and it's not necessarily the week before Thanksgiving." with others, invite the family back to your place for dessert and board games. You can even ask each family to bring their favorite pie. Thanksgiving Day started as a time of remembrance and thanksgiving by people with grateful hearts full toward God for bringing them through tremendous hardship. May your Thanksgiving Days forever continue in that same spirit. Freelance writer Carol J. Alexander has used all of these tips and more for saving money in the kitchen. We Love Children! $ 69 for 6 wks. training with FREE uniform! Call 845-342-3413 Now! And Kids Love Our Program. In addition to physical exercise, we teach real world life skills. Iron Dragon is fun and exciting. We teach discipline and respect in a safe and friendly environment. 88-8 Dunning Road Middletown, NY 10940 845-342-3413 www.irondragonselfdefense.com HVP8660 ads tells you when the price is right — and it's not necessarily the week before Thanksgiving. hvparent.com Hudson Valley Parent 15 n massage envy spa martial arts schools self defense schools