Happy Thanksgiving! | Cup of Jo

What are you up to this week? My dad arrived yesterday, and we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. If you’re not sure what to talk about at dinner, here are funny ideas. Also, I wanted to say, I’m endlessly thankful for this wonderful, witty, smart, incredible community of people, and I love you so much. Thank you for being here, whether you’ve been a long-time reader or you’re just stopping by. Have a good week, and here are a few fun links from around the web…

On Thanksgiving, Julia Child would set out Goldfish crackers!

This Portuguese home has beautiful paint colors.

A fun game to play on road trips.

The pressure placed on children of migrants. “As a first-generation, U.S.-born Latina, greatness was not only expected of me — it was demanded… When I would respond confidently with how I was doing with my studies… my satisfied grandmother would smile and simply say, ‘Nos vas a sacar de la pobreza.’ (Translation: You’re going to take us out of poverty.) Welp.”

Quiz: Where should you live? (New York Times)

Also, me on every trip.

A son reflects on his parents’ commitment, endorsed by the Catholic Church, to cohabit chastely like ‘brother and sister’ to avoid mortal sin. (The New York Times.)

The new movie The Humans looks really compelling. And we’re seeing Licorice Pizza on Saturday!

Post-Dinner Interview With a 12-Year-Old Who Sat at the Grown-ups’ Table for the First Time on Thanksgiving.

10 rules of Thanksgiving. “Never take the last roll unless you’re under 10 or over 65.”

The best street photography of 2021.

How to undermine a woman’s success? Talk about her body.

A whole day of sunlight at the North Pole.

Finally, here are 5 amazing sales:

* Lulu and Georgia: Get 25% off sitewide with code THANKFUL. (How pretty is this rug?)

* Nisolo: Get 30% off with code BFCOJ30. These closet-staples are on sale!

* Living Proof’s shampoo and conditioner bundle are 20% off (no code needed). I use this every day.

* Dermstore: Get up to 30% off with code BLACK. Time for these babies!

* Madewell: Get 30% off with code OHJOY, including their perfect jeans.

And here’s our 2021 gift guide so far, if you’d like some ideas. xo

Plus, two reader comments:

Says Sarah on the new mom welcome packet: “I wish other milestones/big life events came with a welcome packet. It reminds me so much of early grief after my dad died. My best friend emailed me a sort of welcome packet (‘Welcome to The Dead Parent Club,’ I guess?). It was incredibly helpful when my family was trying to do complicated tasks while suffering from grief brain (it’s real). Things like: how many copies of the death certificate you’ll need and for what, a list of who you need to notify of the death, expect to get weird calls from people wanting to buy their house, etc.”

Says Sarah on the new mom welcome packet: “For me, Cup of Jo was my motherhood handbook. I can’t tell you how often I come here to search for the advice or wisdom I need. I learned so much about motherhood before I ever had kids through the Motherhood Monday series. The lullaby post from 2017 is my all-time favorite comment section. The ‘What’s on my Butt?’ advice has saved my sanity. ‘Just add water’ is the best advice ever. All of the mental health support you’ve shared helped me navigate PPD — throw it into the Grand Canyon! The story my brain is telling me! Just go for a nice walk! Your parenting perspectives about your boys have helped me gauge my expectations with my own. I know we aren’t ‘real life’ friends, but this community helped me more as a mother than anything in real life.” [Ed. note: SOB!]

Note: If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We recommend only products we genuinely like. Thank you so much.

(Photo by Smitten Kitchen.)