Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Since it’s my favorite holiday, I thought what better way to celebrate than to extend it by an extra seven days!? Because let’s be honest, after the crazy 2020 we’ve had, one day of pigging out is simply not enough!

Personally, my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the time leading up to dinner. The house smells amazing, you get to spend time with family, and everything feels chaotic!

The delicious smells wafting through the air are enough to have your stomach growling with anticipation for the meal to come! But you don’t want to spoil your appetite by eating too much before dinner, right?

Enter the queen of holiday snacks- my mother-in-law, Linda!

Get Your Holiday Snack On!

Linda raised three very loud, very hungry boys (god bless her!). Her solution to the pack of hangry scavengers constantly asking when Thanksgiving dinner would be ready? Prepare a big snack spread for “breakfast” by combining charcuterie, baked brie, and other light snacks to munch on while waiting for the “real dinner” to be ready.

These pre-thanksgiving snacks are just enough to keep the wolves satisfied, but don’t ruin everyone’s appetite before Thanksgiving dinner!

Drinking champagne and munching on an assortment of appetizers, has become one of my favorite things about celebrating the holidays with my in-laws (apart from the endless laughs, free flowing wine, and wonderful company!). 

Linda’s assorted holiday snacks inspired me to kick off this delicious week of tasty recipes with five of my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers! Alright, Here we go!

#1 Raspberry Brown Sugar Baked Brie

YUM! This raspberry brown sugar baked brie recipe is one that my mother-in-law always makes for the holidays!

I love it because It’s fast and easy to make, pairs perfectly with a glass of champagne, and it doesn’t fill you up before dinner!

The fresh raspberries pair perfectly with the brown sugar, and melt into the baked brie almost like a jam topping.

Pair this tasty baked brie with your favorite crackers, fresh baguette or crostini and Enjoy!

 #2 Rosemary Garlic Baked Camembert

If sweet treats aren’t your thing, this savory Rosemary Garlic Baked Camembert recipe is for you! Simple, delicious, and easy to make for small or large groups during the holidays.

If you’re not familiar with camembert, it’s a naturally salty cheese. So pairing it with rosemary, garlic and olive oil brings out the natural flavor of the cheese beautifully. It’s the perfect savory appetizer that everyone will love!

#3 Asiago Garlic Crostini

Looking for something to pair with a soft cheese or tasty dip? Look no further! These asiago garlic crostini pair with just about everything!

As an added bonus, they’re fast and easy to make and taste great with spread toppings, cheeses, and meats.

#4 Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

In the words of Ron Swanson “That’s my number-one favorite food wrapped around my number-three favorite food”. I couldn’t have said it better myself! I mean who doesn’t love a good bacon wrapped shrimp!? (vegetarians I guess)

I love making this easy recipe during the holidays, because it’s a great tasty appetizer to snack on.

Serve up these bacon wrapped shrimp with your favorite dipping sauces (BBQ anyone?) and before you know it, they will be gone!

#5 Charcuterie Board

Ah the Charcuterie board! My favorite Thanksgiving appetizers (especially when accompanied with a nice glass of champagne or wine (YES PLEASE!).

Making a charcuterie board is mostly about collecting different ingredients like meats, cheeses, nuts, dips, fruits and veggies. Then arranging them in a way that looks great, and tastes even better!

Check out our “recipe” to make your own beautiful charcuterie board!

This Year, Do Thanksgiving Your Way!

2020 has been a rough year, there’s no denying that. But in times like these, it’s nice to be reminded that there’s still a lot to be grateful for!

Take a moment on this strange Thanksgiving, to think about all the amazing people who mean the world to you. If you don’t get to celebrate with them in person, reach out and send your love!

Because Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey and stuffing (although they are delicious)! It’s about being grateful for what we have, and the people we share it with.

It’s a bummer we can’t celebrate and give thanks with all our loved ones this year, but the upside is that Thanksgiving can be whatever you want it to be! Find a way to celebrate what your grateful for in your own special way!

Maybe you decide to go a less traditional route and skip the giant turkey altogether, or maybe you cook a big turkey for just for you! (You go Glenn Coco!) Maybe you decide to enjoy one of your favorite meals that wouldn’t typically be considered “on theme” for Thanksgiving. (Sushi for Thanksgiving?! Sign me up!)

Above all else, Thanksgiving this year is about treating yourself (TREAT YO SELF!), giving thanks for what you have, and enjoying this day of thanks in any way that makes you happy! (Frankly, I might just skip the “real dinner” this year and stuff my face with appetizers instead! Just sayin’)

Even though we may not be able to host our usual big gatherings, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still celebrate (and eat) in style!

Bonus: theres still six more days of Thanksgiving to go!

Since most of our tables will be a little smaller this year, I decided to shrink ray my favorite Thanksgiving dishes for the rest of this week! All all of which can be made for petite (2-4 people), or super sized groups. (maybe one day…)

So, don’t forget to subscribe to The Bonus Space to stay in the loop when the rest of our delicious 7 Days of Thanksgiving Recipes are released later this week!

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Comment below and share your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers! Cheers!