It is so hard to believe that we are halfway through October and already thinking of Thanksgiving. One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is all the traditions and memories associated with the holiday. My job as a kid was to set the Thanksgiving table. I took this job very seriously. When I was about 7, I made salt dough turkey cut-outs and then hand-painted them with my sister and cousin. My mom still uses them at every place setting to this day. As I got older, I was in the kitchen with my mom all week leading up to the big day and those are some of my favorite memories cooking all day with my mom.

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It’s never too late to host a great holiday party.

Whether it’s a holiday (we’re looking at you Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s!) or any other excuse you may have for getting your friends and family together, you can still have a great party even with a busy schedule.

As host, the greatest and most time-intensive task inevitably revolves around supplying the food. Whether you go for a full spread or settle on snacks and appetizers, having to plan a party during the holidays can seem like an impossible task for many.

Catering by Michaels can offer a convenient solution to this problem by preparing and delivering your holiday meals to any location within Chicago. All you have to do is tap a few buttons.

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Thanksgiving is all about quality time with family and friends, with delicious food to fuel the conversation of memories and current events! While some prefer to show off their skills in the kitchen, most of us feel stressed and anxious about our culinary contribution.

Everyone knows the common centerpiece of Thanksgiving is the turkey, so you gotta get it right.

This Thanksgiving, we’ve prepared a simple video and revamped our tips to make your turkey carving less stressful and more successful.

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Do not allow yourself to be exceedingly busy this coming Turkey Day. If you’ve hosted the big event before, you know how overwhelming it can be to take care of every little thing yourself.

You have an idea what the table decorations will be, but are you set on the menu? With mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey you have the classics by your side. You’ve covered the bases in terms of the main meal, get together the sides, but alas! People did not come to play. The rest of the feast needs starters, salads, and the biggest appetites will be ready for post-dinner treats.

What will you use to pack a final delicious punch? Will it be festive cookies or pumpkin pie? There are so many decisions you have to make for your Thanksgiving meal.

We know you have a lot on your plate this Thanksgiving

Despite your busy schedule, your test as the designated holiday party host has begun. But do not fear, for we will help you on your path! With our full-service Thanksgiving catering, you can save all those hours you’d have spent on shopping, cooking, and most of all, clean-up.

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Fall is in the air.

As we bid farewell to Summer BBQs and beach bonfires, we welcome some of our favorite Fall traditions: apple picking, pumpkin patches, and of course Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving: the Busiest Travel Day of the Year

One thing that makes Thanksgiving so special is being able to spend time with friends and family. Many people travel long distances by car, train, or plane to be with their loved ones.

This can often mean traffic, delays, and long commute times. It’s easy to get cranky but remember why you’re traveling in the first place. Having a good attitude and checking all time expectations at the door will keep your spirits right where they need to be.

Reasons to be Thankful: Friends, Family, and Food

Friends: Making New Traditions, Upholding Old Ones

With everyone’s busy lives, it can be hard to gather everyone together, all at one time. But Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends. Making time for your friends also helps alleviate some of the pressures of family time.

A Friendsgiving potluck is a great way to celebrate the season and show thankfulness for friendship. Have everyone bring a dish (make sure to cover appetizers, sides, and desserts at minimum!) to the host, who will be in charge of the turkey. Or, hire a caterer to take care of everything so that you and your friends can spend all of your time catching up — instead of worrying about cooking and cleanup.

Family: Get Everyone Involved

No matter how much you love them, when it comes to family, spending the holidays with them can be stressful at times. To get in front of any potential negativity, this is the perfect opportunity to organize some fun activities that everyone can participate in.

A few ideas:

• Put together a friendly family football game.
• Host an early breakfast/brunch bash to keep the hunger at bay.
• Grab a game that everyone can participate in and let loose a little.

The Feast: Getting All Your Favorite Foods On One Table

As families grow and new members join, including everyone’s favorite dish on the Thanksgiving menu can be tricky. To be sure, it isn’t always practical (and there certainly isn’t enough stove space) to have six different types of potatoes on the menu!

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