4 Secrets to a Peaceful Thanksgiving

If you could only celebrate one holiday each year, what would it be? For me, the answer is definitely Thanksgiving. I love the whole vibe of giving thanks and appreciating life's blessings and the opportunity to eat until I can't breathe. It's actually the perfect holiday for personal (and physical) growth for the whole family but only if you prepare in advance. Check it out...

• Food -- I have to start here, of course, because the food is top of mind for most people when they think of Thanksgiving. I love to use the holidays to bring some new foods into the mix and tempt the kiddos with a variety of choices. But let's face it, they're not always on board. I spend year after year trying to cook up dishes that will appeal to the kids, my husband and the in-laws (pretty daunting task, I must say.) But this year, I'm calling in some reinforcements. Disney's Family.com is jam-packed with kid-friendly, quick and easy (can you say make-ahead mashed potatoes?), healthy and gourmet recipes. With so many options, I might actually be able to please everyone.

• Education -- Just because the kids are off from school doesn't mean they can't learn. In the interest of full disclosure, I bombed my history class back in the day. But with a little research, I can play know-it-all and help my whole family discover more about our country and how Thanksgiving came to be. Did you know that while Thanksgiving is traced back to the harvest celebration of 1621, it was in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln who first proclaimed Thanksgiving Day? Yup, I knew that.

Plus, Thanksgiving isn't just perfect for learning about American history, it's also a great opportunity for discussing and learning about your own family's history. If your parents, in-laws or even grandparents are joining you, invite each generation to share tales of their own childhood Thanksgivings and the history of their own ancestors.

• Bonding -- This is hands-down my favorite part of the day. The kids get super chatty as they make place cards and a centerpiece from Disney's printables page. Now that they're 6, 5 and 3, they can really get into the spirit of the holiday. And I refuse to spend money on decorations when they can make something much cuter for less money! This year, we're trying this adorable branch craft.

There's nothing like going around the table talking about what we're truly thankful for; last year it was "pizza and Lightning McQueen" my son was most thankful for. Thanksgiving dinner is one of those rare occasions that everything falls into place and you can just block out all of those everyday things that stress us out and keep us running ragged (maybe it's the wine that helps with that).

Plus, it's great to get kids in a thankful and giving-back mindset as we enter the holidays.

• Working together -- Kids (and some spouses) need to learn pretty early on that Thanksgiving is about family, not a day to play and watch football while mom works. Getting the family involved with decorating, setting the table and preparing the meal helps to bring the family closer and takes the stress off of doing it all yourself. Assign Dad and the kids one of these dessert recipes. Delicious!

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter. And may you survive the day with you-know-who.