Turkey. It can be the bane of any Thanksgiving host’s existence. Still frozen, too dry, over-cooked (aka burnt) – the pressure is on to wear that chef’s hat and cook the perfect turkey.

Whether you’re sipping to celebrate the holiday season or to drown out another one of your aunt’s political tirades, do it with a festive drink in hand. My favorite? Tyler Florence’s Cranberry Champagne Cocktail.

Let’s take it back nearly 400 years ago to the first Thanksgiving. When the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians gathered at Plymouth in 1621, their table looked a little different than ours do now. While no records exist of their exact menu, we know turkey was served…alongside wild hens, seafood and venison.

Making plans to get out of the house after Thanksgiving and kick off the next holiday season? Fan-favorite pop-up Miracle on Monroe returns on Friday, Nov. 23. Atlanta’s favorite kitschy Christmas bar will also take over Inman Park’s The Brasserie and Neighborhood Café at PARISH.

From your aunt who started to let champagne do the talking to your uncle who won’t stop talking politics, the holidays are filled to the brim with family.

While Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family and giving thanks, it also kicks off one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Many retailers now open their doors for Black Friday early on Thursday and the frenzy for great deals continues through Cyber Monday.

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner – the perfect day to give back to the community. On Nov. 27, consider supporting a good cause and making a donation to Camp Twin Lakes.

After a day indoors, begin the day after Thanksgiving with some family-friendly activities to keep everyone in the holiday spirit:

Returning Nov. 29 at 6PM, the annual Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting is a can’t-miss tradition and perfect way to start the holiday season.

Such an important time is upon us. I write this as we’re set to rock the vote for the 2018 midterm elections. And while this will be published after we know the outcome of these elections, the point is that we get to vote.

Closing out the 2018 season, “The Snow Queen” returns to light up the wintry woods of Serenbe Playhouse every Wednesday through Sunday from Nov. 28–Jan. 6.

November is here and before you know it, we’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving and gearing up for Christmas in Atlanta. To prepare for the holiday season, here are some of my favorite ways to spend November.