If there’s one thing I love more than gorging myself on turkey (and stuffing, and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie… mmm… wait, what was I talking about again?), it’s loafing on the living room couch before and after Thanksgiving dinner and taking in some fine Thanksgiving television.

Holiday-themed episodes of TV shows usually follow a predictable pattern—the gang is planning some kind of celebration until everything goes horribly awry. But by the end of the show, problems have been solved, fights have ended, and everyone sits down together to enjoy a nice meal and/or some serious present opening, accompanied by a well-known holiday tune.

While most Thanksgiving episodes still adhere to the formula, there’s something about them that makes them even more satisfying than Christmas/Hanukkah/Valentine’s Day specials. Maybe it’s because they tend to be less cheesy than other holiday shows. Maybe it’s because I just like watching people enjoy a hearty meal. Whatever the reason, Thanksgiving episodes deserve some appreciation.

So, without further ado, here’s my list of the best Thanksgiving episodes. They’re all funny, entertaining, and heartwarming without being cloying—yes, even that episode of South Park.

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When you think of Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t family or a break from school – it’s FOOD. Obviously. And while it’s a great time to over-indulge in some of your favorite holiday treats, it’s also a great time to pack on some serious pounds. Between the actual meal, and all of the leftovers you will inevitably be snacking on (straight out of the fridge) for the rest of the weekend, you could be doing some serious damage to the hot bod you’ve been working so hard on all year. After all, the average Thanksgiving dinner can deliver up to a whopping 3,000 calories!

When you consider that one meal could contain enough calories to last you over two days, that’s kind of scary.

So here are some tips and tricks to indulging in Thanksgiving without gaining the Thanksgiving 30. But don’t go too crazy – after all, this is the one night of the year that totally revolves around food. You can and should definitely give in and treat yourself to your fave foods. Just make sure you’re not using a ladle to shovel it all in.

1. Opt for a lighter drink on Thanksgiving Eve. The biggest going-out night of the year almost always calls for some seriously heavy drinking. I don’t really know many people who AREN’T planning on getting completely wasted that night. Start your holiday off right by going for a lighter-calorie drink, like vodka/cranberry, vodka/tonic, or red wine. On a budget? Go for the light beer instead of that Corona.

2. Have a small and healthy meal before you go all out on dinner. It’s tempting to save all of your hunger pangs for the delicious meal awaiting you in the afternoon, but don’t. If you do, you’ll be so hungry you won’t even consider the calories you’re consuming. Have a light breakfast, like egg whites or toast with jelly. Munch on some healthy snacks while you wait, like almonds, fruit, veggies with dip, or hummus and crackers. These snacks will keep you relatively full so you won’t be starving once dinner comes.

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It’s Thanksgiving week. You know what that means: more food than you’ll ever be able to eat, run ins with family members you’d really rather avoid and those awkward moments when everyone gathers together to say what they’re thankful for.

Friends.
Family.
Happiness and health and blah blah blah.

Those are all great things to be thankful for, important things, yes.  But what about the not so important things, the little things that we all take for granted? Here’s what I’m thankful for this holiday season…

10. Trashy Tabloids. Reading about the problems of the rich and famous makes everything in my life seem so much less problematic. Sure, maybe I’m having boy problems, but at least my guy didn’t leave me for Angelina Jolie. And maybe I’m worried about wearing a bikini to the beach, but at least there’s no one zooming in on my butt cheeks. (At least not that I know of.) Celebrity scandal really helps me see the big picture.

9. Steve Madden’s Fall Boot Collection. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I just head over to Steve Madden’s website and stare at some shoes. Laugh if you want, but it totally works. They’re like works of art, I swear. And even though I’ve put myself on a boot buying ban until after the holidays, I still enjoy purusing the styles. And you will too.

8. Chocolate. I’m sorry; do you really need an explanation for this one? I didn’t think so. Read More »

You didn’t leave all your work until Sunday night did you? What!?! You did. That’s okay. No stress. You’ll get it all done. We’re so sure that you’ll get it all done that we’re giving you a few more excuses to procrastinate.

You’re welcome.

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Every Thanksgiving break my suitcase is overflowing with too many shoes and too many outfit options. “Why do I think I need ten sweaters for a five-day break?” I ask myself as I break a sweat lugging my suitcase to the car (then again as I throw the contents of my bag around my childhood room wishing I had actually planned out an outfit rather than just throwing in shirts and dresses I liked and thought I might wear. UGH.).

No longer, girlies.

This year I am packing smart and I’m here to help you do the same. Below, four outfit ideas (Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Dinner, Black Wednesday and Black Friday) that allow you to mix and match as little clothing as possible to get you through the glorious holiday weekend. Not only will this revolutionize the packing process, but will keep you from being “that girl who filled up the trunk so no one else’s stuff would fit” for the drive home and leave you plenty extra space for all the loot you’ll bring back with you on Sunday. Read More »

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Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to come together with your family and give thanks for the abundance of gifts you’ve received over the seasons: health, happiness, togetherness, discovering that sandwich place on campus that’s open until 3a.m. on weekends.

For one night, calories (and there are many) don’t count.  There’s no guilt when reaching for that second piece of pie because you’re pretty sure your fat cousin Maggie is on her sixth slice.  Gravy is meant to be consumed over everything.  Thin slices of turkey are for novices, so you, practically a freakin’ pilgrim, want the whole dang leg.  Diets can resume tomorrow.

My favorite part of this sacred holiday, however, comes when the table is cleared and the family is passed out in the living room.  It’s a subtle tradition, but one that college students the country over take quiet pleasure in every year.  What am I referring to, you ask?  Well, it’s the “I’m home with nothing to do and so are you, so let’s do each other” booty call.

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Thanksgiving is a tricky holiday for college students. If you’re within commuting distance of home, you probably can’t wait to burst through your front door to wafting aromas of a decadent home-cooked meal. But if you’re one of the many students who opted to go to school out of state or far from Mom & Pops, you might find yourself stranded in College Town USA, especially if plane tickets home are too expensive to rationalize a short round-trip for Turkey Day when winter break is just around the corner. So don’t despair if you’re holding down the fort in your dorm with other grounded co-eds, here are some foolproof recipes that taste like home. Read More »

I always hated having to style my hair a few days after getting a nice, bouncy blowout at the hair salon. It never looked as good as when my stylist did it, and I would hate my haircut because it looked stupid whenever I did it.

Well, those days are long gone (!!!!).

I like to think I’ve mastered the blowout, and dare I say it, I might be better than some stylists. Yeah, I went there. Honestly, it’s not that hard to get a perfect blowout. I do it every week, and if I can then you definitely can! This week, I’m laying out my steps to a perfect blowout and hopefully, you’ll never have to feel that post-salon depression again.

Life changing, right?

Got something you want me to cover? Post it in the comments below. And don’t forget to check out my other videos right here!