With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we think it’s safe to say the holidays have officially begun! Their arrival gives plenty of opportunities to get merry! If you’re looking for fun, festive things to do this weekend in preparation, you don’t need to go far for some local inspiration! 

Whether you’re here in the Monadnock Region of Southern New Hampshire or in our surrounding service areas of Greenfield, MA and Brattleboro, VT, there are so many ways to ring in the holiday season. In honor of the occasion, we’ve put together a list of five fun, local ways you can get festive this weekend.  

Forage for Your Centerpiece 

A well-laid Thanksgiving table is one of the most festive displays there is. The good china, candles, and a decorative centerpiece all serve up holiday cheer. So wouldn’t it be extra special if you made that decorative centerpiece yourself? 

This can be done quickly, easily, and with minimal expense. Here inNew England, we’re blessed with abundant trails and forests that offer up various materials to work with. Pine cones, colorful leaves, evergreen branches, birch bark, and acorns can all be used to create a wonderful centerpiece you can be proud to present to your guests. 

You can hunt these down in your own backyard, or if you’re looking to have a little adventure, on a nearby forest hike. Here are four recommendations: Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail, Ashuelot River Park in Keene, Fort Dummer State Park in Guilford, and Highland Park in Greenfield. 

Source Your Sides from a Farm 

The turkey may be the star of the Thanksgiving table. But we all know what everyone really loves are the side dishes. Mashed potatoes, squash, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole—what’s not to love about those!? Oh, and don’t forget desserts, like pumpkin pie and apple crisp. If you’ve been put in charge of making a side or dessert, we encourage you to consider sourcing ingredients locally!

While peak farmers’ market season may be over, there are still plenty of farms open for business. Root vegetables and hearty greens are in their prime at this time of year. So you’re bound to find that sugar pumpkin for your pie. The quality of the produce you get is just amazing. Plus what’s more festive than knowing your Thanksgiving food is supporting our hardworking local farmers!

Here in the Monadnock Region, places like Stonewall Farm in Keene, Dog Days Farm in Fitzwilliam, and The Farm at Wolf Pine Hollow in Hancock are all amazing places to find the kind of stellar local produce you want on your Thanksgiving table! 

Enjoy a Festive Drink with Friends 

Now that we’ve hit cold weather, why not take some time after your foraging or farm trip and enjoy a hot drink with a friend? Coffee shops are always putting on a festive spin. Pumpkin spice, apple, peppermint, and chocolate top the menu during this season. And a trip to Brewbakers or Prime Roast in Keene, Duchess or Patio Coffee in Brattleboro, or Catalpa Coffee in Greenfield is a welcome break from the cold. Invite a friend and enjoy a hot seasonal drink while you decide where to go next! 

Get Ahead on Your Shopping

There are two types of people: those who have their holiday shopping finished early and those who wait until the last minute. Do you know which one you are?

One of the best parts of this season is the emphasis on shopping locally. With Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, Artists Sunday, and Cider Monday coming up, there’s no better time to support your favorite local businesses. Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene is an amazing hub of handcrafted items from across the Monadnock Region. Twice Upon a Time Antiques in Brattleboro is a great spot to find the perfect little oddities and trinkets. Main Street in Shelburne or Turner’s Falls down in Massachusetts are lined with shops owned and operated by locals. 

You don’t have to do all of your shopping nearby. But making a plan to get some things locally will add to your holiday cheer. There isn’t anything quite as fun as finding a special item made in your community that you can then share with someone you love. Plus, a good walk down a festively decorated Main Street is sure to fill anyone with the spirit of the season. 

Give Back 

The arrival of November brings with it Gratitude Month. It’s a fitting time to think about everything we’re grateful for in our lives and pay it forward. One of the best ways is by giving back to your community. We have a whole list of places that you can volunteer or donate right here. 

Giving back, whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen or buying holiday gifts for kids in need, is probably the best way to capture the spirit of the season. Making someone else know they’re valued is more precious than anything else. 

What would be a better gift for yourself than getting the job of your dreams? We can help you with that! Call (603) 358 1000 today and talk to one of our talented Staffing Managers. We’ll help you get started on the journey to your new job and new life!