Hi, I’m Sara — mom of many, former detective turned advocate for a more intentional, rooted life. If you’ve been here before, you might’ve noticed it’s been a little quiet around The Simple Pursuit lately. Life has been full in all the best (and most stretching) ways — I had a sweet new baby, we packed up our life, and moved four states away. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I officially stepped away from my career to lean fully into this next chapter of slow, purposeful living.

Now that the dust has settled a bit, I’m excited to be back here with you — sharing what simplicity looks like in this new season. As the holidays approach, I want to talk about something that’s been on my heart: creating a simple Thanksgiving. Not the Pinterest-perfect kind, but the kind that’s rooted in presence, gratitude, and connection — where less really does mean more.

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Why we need simple Thanksgiving ideas

The holiday season often grows louder, faster, fuller than our hearts can keep up with. I’ve lived it: juggling endless dishes, coordinating guests, feeling the pressure to make it perfect. And somewhere between the appetizer and dessert I lost the moment of giving thanks. That’s why I began exploring simpler ways.

When we step into simple Thanksgiving ideas, we’re choosing fewer dishes, less clutter, more meaningful connection. Not because less equals cheap or uninspired—but because less often opens space for more—more presence, more gratitude, more whole-food nourishment.

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Understanding what “simple” really means

Before we map out how to apply these ideas, let’s clarify what “simple” means in this context:

• Minimal stress, not minimal care.
• Fewer tasks, deeper connection.
• Whole-food ingredients, intentional choices.
• Gentle rituals, not rigid schedules.

When you accept that simplicity isn’t giving up—it’s refining—you open the door to a holiday that feels aligned with your values.

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My own shift toward simplicity

Last year I hit the holiday wall: eight side dishes, a pantry full of cans, a kitchen running non-stop. I had one fleeting thought that changed everything: “Am I cooking or am I present?”
That morning I brewed my coffee, stepped outside to look at bare trees, and asked myself: what if I only made three dishes and focused on conversations instead of cleanup? I committed to simple Thanksgiving ideas for that year—and you know what happened? It wasn’t less meaningful—it was more. Genuine laughter, intentional gratitude, fresh food without additives, and a kitchen we left while the conversation stayed alive.

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The three pillars of a simple Thanksgiving

Here are the areas to focus on: mindset, menu, environment. I’ll walk you through each with concrete actions.

Mindset: Prioritizing presence

Let go of perfection

The myth: flawless décor, flawless food, flawless guests. The truth: it drains your energy and distracts from what matters.

Ask what matters most

• What do I want to feel this holiday?
• What can I release?
  If your answer is “calm, connected, nourished”—you’re already aligned with simple Thanksgiving ideas.

Delegate and let help in

Invite others into the experience: your sister brings the salad, your oldest child sets the table, a friend offers to play music. Let go of the belief you must do it all. This simple shift can change your entire experience.

Whole-food nourishment made simple

You know I believe in whole foods, minimal processing, and clean ingredients. Let’s bring that to Thanksgiving in a way that supports simplicity.

Simplify the menu

Choose 3-5 meaningful dishes instead of eight or more. For example:

• Herb-brined turkey (or hearty plant-based main)
• Roasted winter squash with sage & tahini
• Steamed greens with lemon and pine nuts
• Quinoa-wild rice pilaf with herbs
• Spiced apple-pear crisp with almond-flour topping

These are simple Thanksgiving ideas that honor your body, reflect ancestral roots, and are easier to manage.

Real-food swaps

Traditional dish	Whole-food swap	Why it works
Canned cream soup in green bean casserole	Cashew-mushroom sauce	No additives, richer flavour
Store-bought gravy mix	Homemade drippings + organic flour + herbs	Real ingredients you understand
Canned cranberry sauce	Fresh cranberries simmered with orange zest + maple syrup	Less sugar, more fibre

By making fewer dishes and choosing whole-food ingredients, you’re shifting the holiday from stress to nourishment.

Create calm, not chaos

Declutter for breathing room

Clear off extraneous décor, let natural elements shine: linen napkins, simple leaves, a few beeswax candles. An uncluttered space invites your guests (and you) to relax.

Rituals that root you

• Gratitude circle: Before the first bite, ask each person to name one thing they’re truly grateful for.
• Un-plug hour: The first hour of dinner? No phones, no devices—just presence.

These rituals are part of the simple Thanksgiving ideas toolkit—they create memory, not just menu.

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The benefits of simplifying Thanksgiving

When you embrace simple Thanksgiving ideas in your home, you gift yourself and your loved ones:

• More presence: You can witness and participate rather than rush through.
• Less stress, more joy: The day becomes about connection, not cleanup.
• Healthier nourishment: Whole-food choices, fewer processed items, better digestion and energy.
• Authentic traditions: Rooted in real gatherings, not Instagram highlight reels.
• Environmental kindness: Less waste, fewer dishes, more mindful choices.

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Your 7-Day “Simple Thanksgiving” Plan

Here’s a week-by-week action plan to get you ready without losing your mind.

Day	Action
Monday	Choose your menu (3-5 dishes) and delegate at least one task.
Tuesday	Prep non-perishable parts: spices, grains, décor concept.
Wednesday	Clear surfaces, pick natural elements (leaves, nuts), set your tone.
Thursday (morning)	Brew your coffee, sit quietly, reflect on what matters.
Thanksgiving Day (morning)	Set table simply; start with your gratitude circle.
Thanksgiving Day (meal)	Serve wholesome menu; enact the un-plug hour.
After dinner	Record how you feel. What felt different when you chose simplicity?

Swap-It Table

Traditional	Whole-Food Swap	Why
Processed stuffing mix	Onion + celery + apple + whole-grain bread cubes + herbs	Real ingredients, minimal processing
Canned biscuits	Spelt-flour biscuits with olive oil	Better grain, better fat
Green bean casserole with canned soup	Sautéed green beans + almond-cream sauce	Clean, whole ingredients
Store-bought dessert bars	Fresh fruit crisp + almond-flour topping	Less refined sugar, more fibre
Plastic décor	Natural elements (pine cones, leaves, linen)	Fewer waste, more authenticity

Conversation Starter Cards

Place at each setting:

• “What’s one small act of kindness you witnessed this year?”
• “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to next spring?”
  These cards help you move beyond the surface of “I’m thankful for…” and into meaningful sharing.

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Addressing common doubts

“Will people feel disappointed if there are fewer dishes?”
You can say: “We’re doing a simpler dinner so we can spend more time together and less time running around.” Most guests will respond with relief, not judgment.

“Will it feel like I’ve cut back too much?”
Here’s the truth: choosing fewer dishes doesn’t mean fewer memories. It means deeper connection.

“Will I lose the traditions we’ve always had?”
Keep the anchor traditions you love (walk after dinner, dessert game, family prayer). Let go of extras you don’t love. That’s part of the evolution of simple Thanksgiving ideas.

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My invitation to you

This year I invite you to pick one simple Thanksgiving idea:

• Make 3 meaningful dishes instead of 8.
• Clear your symbols, let nature in.
• Start with one small gratitude ritual.

Notice how it feels when you choose presence over perfection. You’re aligning with The Simple Pursuit values—whole food, minimal toxins, rooted in ancestral living—and inviting your body, mind and home into a calmer, more authentic celebration.

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Final thoughts

The holiday doesn’t have to be a sprint. It can be a pause. A remembrance of what matters most. A gathering where you show up fully, not frantically. When you embrace simple Thanksgiving ideas, you’re choosing rest, intention, nourishment, and memory. Let the day be about the people, the story, the nourishment—not the cleanup anxiety.

May your Thanksgiving be simple, meaningful, and deeply rooted.