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Anyone who’s ever experienced Thanksgiving travel knows how stressful it can be. Maybe stressful isn’t even the right word. (Panic-inducing? Heinous? Hellacious?) Between the crowds, oversold flights, weather delays, and questionable, overpriced airport food, it’s enough to send even the most emotionally stable of us into a tailspin.
Over the past year I’ve taken close to 25 flights all over Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean—including during Thanksgiving—and I’ve learned a few things along the way. As we head into what is historically the busiest time for airline travel in the United States, here are a few tips that will help keep your sanity intact and maybe even make the experience—dare I say—pleasurable.
TSA RulesWhat Food Is Allowed Through Airport Security?I’m all about bringing your own food and beverages when traveling, but it’s important to know exactly which solids, liquids, and gels you can bring through security—and which ones you can’t. Know the regulations. Don’t be that person holding up the line because they thought they’d try their luck at bringing half a case of Scotch through security.
I’ve learned from experience that solid and packaged foods (like the container of hot chicken I got on the way to the Nashville airport) are generally okay but gels and soft pastes are not (i.e., my stick of Dominican cocoa butter that got confiscated because of its soft, meltable consistency).
Nothing kills a festive mood like the indignity of having to squeeze all your toiletries into an unimaginably small plastic bag while in the TSA line-up (or worse, having your favorite products confiscated. RIP, face serum.) If there’s a certain product that you absolutely can’t live without, make sure it fits within the guidelines and try these work-arounds for everything else.
Instead of bringing the entire tube of eye-cream or your go-to treatment, squeeze a little into a sterile contact lens case (it will take up less room than a traditional travel size bottle).
Another suggestion: Swap liquid makeup remover and hand sanitizer for wipes (they won’t count towards your liquid allowances). Antibacterial versions are great for disinfecting hands and wiping down (icky) germ saturated areas like armrests and seat-back trays.
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While many airports seem to be making a conscious effort to provide healthy and tasty food options, if you manage to find something appetizing, it’s probably going to be overpriced. Instead, stock your bag with tasty snacks. If you’re not sure what to pack snack-wise, you can never go wrong with having a few protein bars on hand. Make your own figgy fuel bar or pick out a healthy prepackaged version like these Keto Krisp Bars which provide a protein boost without a lot of sugar or carbs.
Related Reading: The Best Airplane Snacks to Pack
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Airplane food leaves a lot to be desired. The solution: Bring a seasoning kit in your carry-on for flavor emergencies. I got this idea from travel and lifestyle writer, Patrice J. Williams who swears by her own carry-on seasoning arsenal, which includes salt, pepper, hot sauce, mustard, spicy mustard, jam, and honey. Bring prepackaged portions or use this as an excuse to stock up on miniature Tabasco bottles (10 for $16.95 on Amazon) or this Sriracha Keychain ($16.99 on Amazon).
I’m partial to flavorings that don’t add to your liquid allowances like Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning or these mini bottles of Tajin ($7.30 on Amazon) which add an irresistible tanginess to fruit, veggies, or DIY inflight mixology (improvised margarita or Michelada, anyone?)
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Purchasing bottled water while traveling is an expense that adds up fast. Luckily, over the past few years, water bottle filling stations have become more ubiquitous in major airports. Bringing your own water bottle eliminates the stress of paying exorbitant prices just to stay hydrated (and is more eco-friendly too).
Related Reading: You’re Not Cleaning Your Water Bottle Often Enough
If you get dehydrated while flying, try adding a supplement to your water bottle. Nuun Immunity: Antioxidant Immune Support Hydration Supplement is a great option because it includes a mix of immunity boosting vitamins (a huge plus during flu season) and electrolytes to help you feel your best when you arrive at your destination.
Maybe you don’t want to tote around a neck pillow, much less fly in your actual pajamas, but consider investing in a travel blanket like this faux cashmere wrap (it made Oprah’s list of favorite things on Amazon for 2019). It’s soft, comforting, will keep you warm, and yes, can be rolled up to serve as a neck pillow too, if you’re lucky enough to be able to sleep on planes.
Related Reading: How to Score the Best Seat on a Plane
Depending on what kind of baggage you’re working with, a set of affordable packing cubes like these can be the difference between complete chaos and a well organized suitcase. Pack like items together (for example, dresses in one, jeans in another) so that they can easily be grabbed on the go (perfect for when you need that cozy hoodie from your carry-on but don’t want to riffle through your entire suitcase!).
Related Reading: The Best Packing Cubes for More Organized Travel
Most of my packing hacks have come from other frequent travelers. However, if you need a shortcut, this video of Marie Kondo packing a suitcase is incredibly helpful. She suggests folding or rolling items and placing them like you would in a drawer (my go-to packing strategy for all trips).
Most airlines have an app where you can access flight info, WiFi, inflight entertainment and receive push notifications about gate changes and flight delays. However, if you don’t already have it on your phone, you usually can’t download it once you’re in flight. Just to be safe, make sure the app is on your phone before you leave WiFi.
Sometimes the in-flight entertainment is great. Other times, not so much. Sometimes it simply doesn’t exist. Don’t get caught out there with nothing to watch. Before your trip, download episodes from your favorite streaming services onto your device so you can watch them sans WiFi.
Related Reading: See CNET’s Picks for Best Headphones of 2019
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One of the worst aspects of travel: line-ups. Instead of cursing the line, use it as a chance to catch up on other forms of media. Download a couple of juicy podcast episodes to help make those endless queues feel a little more manageable. You can also make use of your favorite smartphone e-reader apps to catch up on your reading list. Even if the scene at the airport is atrocious, I always feel more relaxed when I know I have some interesting content to consume.
Related Reading: Our Favorite Food Podcasts
Accessing media in addition to your usual phone activity quickly burns up battery power. Instead of scrambling to find an outlet at the airport (or praying that your plane has one), set your mind at ease and invest in a portable charger like this Anker PowerCore 10000 which is compact and lightweight.
It’s Thanksgiving—it’s going to be busy. There’s probably going to be some hiccups along the way. It might even feel stressful at times. Instead of fighting it, accept Thanksgiving travel for what it is: a slightly crazy experience that results in you getting to spend time with your loved ones. Breathe and try to enjoy the journey as best you can.
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It is Thanksgiving after all! When holiday travel starts to get you down, remind yourself of all the things you’re grateful for. Your flight may get delayed, you may spill coffee and hot sauce all over your clothes (true story), but at the end of the day, you’re getting to do something that not everyone gets to do: travel to spend time with the people you love and eat some delicious food.
Getting everyone together for Friendsgiving is a lot of fun, but it’s not always easy—people have kids and extended families they have to eat Thanksgiving dinner with, besides which, you may not want to take on an entire turkey. Thanksgiving brunch may be the perfect answer, then!
It’s more casual, it happens earlier in the day (which is handy when everyone has so much going on, and might have family meals to get to in the evening), and it’s just more fun! Plus, you don’t have to deal with a big bird and a dozen sides jostling for space in your oven—but you can still indulge in the season’s coziest flavors (and in booze, of course, if you want).
Just decorate a little bit to make your space more inviting, queue up some music, and set out a fantastic Thanksgiving brunch spread that no one has to know was ultra-easy. Or, go all-in on the potluck ethos and have your guests bring the various parts of the morning meal while you just take care of drinks. There’s no wrong way to do it, as long as everyone’s having a good time.
Here are some ideas for food and drink to feature.
The classic brunch drink (at least right up there with the Bloody Mary), mimosas are simple, sophisticated, and easy to dress up. Adding a few fall flavors makes even the cheapest bottle of Cook’s taste like something special.
A splash of cranberry juice and a little orange liqueur make for extra festive mimosas. Since everything else is such a breeze, consider making beautifully sparkly sugared cranberries for the garnish. Get the Cranberry Mimosas recipe.
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The lovely, complex flavor of apple cider adds wonderful fall flair to your mimosa. If you want things a little sweeter, buy a spiced cider (or make your own). Get the Apple Cider Mimosa recipe.
Don’t forget a non-alcoholic option that’s not a mere concession—if making mimosas, you can simply swap in a virgin sparkling wine or sparkling cider for those who abstain but still want to sip something fizzy. Or check out a few fall favorites in our autumn fruit drinks round-up, including this mimosa-esque option:
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Sparkling apple cider brings fizz and fall flavor to this zero-proof drink with ginger beer and orange juice. Get our Autumn Chiller Mocktail recipe.
They’re easy, delicious, large enough to feed a hungry crowd, and you can usually assemble them the night before, which is obviously a huge plus.
Potato-based breakfast casseroles are great, but if you go with a bready version, it evokes stuffing, which fits nicely with the occasion—and in fact, an actual pan of stuffing would be excellent accompanied by eggs and breakfast meats instead of turkey.
Related Reading: This Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding Is Better Than Stuffing
But if you and yours have more of a sweet tooth, you can always swerve away from savory too.
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You could bake a turkey breast to use in place of the ham if you wish (or cook some ground turkey with onions, garlic, and herbs for a quicker option)—or ditch the meat entirely and make it vegetarian. Either way, consider subbing in some fresh sage or rosemary instead of thyme to amp up the autumnal flavors. Get our Ham, Cheese, and Mushroom Strata recipe.
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Offer this veggie casserole (which is easily made vegan if you swap out the butter for Earth Balance) on its own or in addition to another savory baked dish. The maple syrup, orange zest, cinnamon, and toasty walnuts make these sweet potatoes perfect for any meal, any time in the colder months. Get our Sweet Potatoes Anna Casserole recipe.
Related Reading: How to Accommodate Vegan Guests at Thanksgiving
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If that’s not sugary enough for you, though, this gooey, gorgeously decadent salted caramel banana strata may be just the thing. Adding apples and cinnamon instead of bananas would make it especially well-suited for fall, but then it wouldn’t be quite as good a candidate for adding chunks of chocolate to… Get our Salted Caramel and Banana Breakfast Strata recipe.
We may be barrelling straight toward mulling spice season (and peppermint), but pumpkin spice still reigns supreme until November ends, so it’s a perfect flavor profile for a Friendsgiving brunch.
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If you want to go with traditional breakfast staples, these seasonally spiced pancakes are a perfect option. Make an easy cinnamon-infused maple syrup to go on top if you want to really impress. Get our Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Pancakes recipe.
If you’re keeping things more casual, or just want to offer something for lighter appetites, set out some healthy vegan granola made with maple, pumpkin spice, pecans, and actual pumpkin puree. It can go on top of Greek yogurt, along with maple syrup, honey, and/or fresh fruits (like apples, pears, and figs) for a light yet wholly satisfying option. Get the Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola recipe.
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On the other hand, this make-ahead breakfast casserole is rich, thanks to fluffy brioche soaked in a mixture of eggs, whole and evaporated milk, pumpkin puree, and plenty of warm pumpkin spices, with a cinnamon sugar topping for good measure. Get the Make-Ahead Pumpkin Breakfast Casserole recipe.
Related Reading: The Best Potluck Gear to Transport Your Food in One Piece
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Somewhere in between the two, this streusel-packed pumpkin spice coffee cake is moist, tender, and just as easy to put together, but not quite as over the top, in case you’ve got things to do and can’t afford a food coma getting in the way. Get the Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake recipe.
Whether you’re serving pancakes, waffles, bakery-bought pastries, or homemade casseroles, eggs are almost always a great accompaniment. Instead of making a whole pan of scrambled eggs or attempting to poach a full dozen at once, why not take the individual approach and bake them in ramekins perfectly portioned for each guest?
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These are entirely customizable too—and you can prep whatever cooked mix-ins you want to use up to a couple days ahead of time. Try roasting sweet potatoes with a little sage for a veggie version, or use regular breakfast sausage or bacon in place of the bangers. And on the day of, you simply assemble and cook them in batches—up to at least 8 at a time if you use two baking sheets (and have enough ramekins). Fresh herbs sprinkled on top are a nice touch. Get our Eggs Baked with Irish Bangers and Cheddar recipe.
If you want to make things really easy, just buy a bunch of the best-quality bagels you can find (no more than the day before, so they’re ultra-fresh) and set them out with a generous spread of…well, spreads.
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Mashing various ingredients into store-bought cream cheese is incredibly simple, yet the effect is pretty fancy, and you can cater to all palates. Offer a mix of sweet and savory options in small bowls (ramekins work wonderfully here too), with labels letting guests know what each one contains. This will work with vegan cream cheese too.
If you make the spreads ahead of time (you should!), just take them out of the fridge about 20 to 30 minutes before you want to eat, to ensure they’re not too hard to actually schmear. Optional: set out sliced turkey (from a roasted breast, or high-quality deli meat) for people to top their bagels if they please.
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Cranberry and cream cheese pair well with lots of other flavors; orange evokes a classic cranberry sauce, but you can also try an aromatic Rosemary Cranberry Spread, a sweet Cinnamon and Honey Cranberry Cream Cheese, or a Cranberry Horseradish Cream Cheese with Walnuts for a little kick (and crunch). In any case, the sweet-tart cranberry flavor will still be the seasonal star. Get the Cranberry Orange Cream Cheese recipe.
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A classic herby cream cheese is always delightful, but to make it more autumnal, you could substitute sage and/or rosemary for the other herbs (just use a light hand and taste as you go, since they tend to be pretty pungent and you may not need the full amount). Get the Scallion Herb Cream Cheese Spread recipe.
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Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes; mix it into fluffy cream cheese with cinnamon for an easy, delicious cinnamon-raisin bagel spread. Get the Whipped Maple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Spread recipe.
Even if you’re normally wary of reduced fat cream cheese, once it’s mixed with pumpkin puree, honey, warm spices, and vanilla, it’ll taste amazing and save you some calories (so you can eat more gravy and/or pie later). Get the Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread recipe.
Speaking of pie, just because it may be mid-morning (or early afternoon), that doesn’t mean straight-up actual dessert is off the table. You’re all adults, so you can eat cake—or pie—for breakfast if you wanna! Naturally, you can go with savory pies for a centerpiece, but a sweet version will always be a welcome addition to the spread as well.
E.E. Berger
This recipe from Detroit’s Sister Pie is especially well suited to brunch, since it’s full of robust maple syrup flavor, with a sparkling sprinkling of flaky sea salt for contrast. Ergo, it would also be delicious with crisp bacon—so pile up your plate, and wash everything down with some strong coffee! Get the Salted Maple Pie recipe.
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Apples for breakfast are classic, so an apple pie for brunch is totally acceptable. This easier version only calls for a single crust, and instead of a tricky lattice, tops it with a cinnamon-sugar walnut streusel. Get our Dutch Apple Pie recipe.
Related Reading: The Prettiest Pie Pans to Showcase Your Desserts
For more great holiday hacks, tips, tricks, and recipes, check out our Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide, and our Ultimate Friendsgiving Guide too.