Target, Walmart, Costco, and Home Depot are among the retail giants closing on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving. The turkey. The stuffing. The warm, welcoming love of your family as you surround each other and give thanks for everything you have. Oh, and the shopping too. Wait. Isn’t this supposed to be a holiday about thankfulness, and not about where you can get a new mattress for 60% off or the latest TV for one-third off the price that it normally is? If you’ve noticed that a growing number of stores are starting their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving Thursday, you’re not alone. And plenty of people (shoppers and employees) don’t like it.
In response to this, some retailers are staying closed on Thanksgiving Day. Yep, that’s right. Those amazingly awesome deals are going to have to wait until Friday — giving employees a full day off. So instead of heading out to the mall, you may just need to stay home with your family.
photo: Heidi Finn via Unsplash
Which stores are waiting until Black Friday to open? There’s a growing list of stores that have full Thanksgiving closings, including:
Ace Hardware
Barnes & Noble
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
BJ’s Wholesale
Costco
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Footlocker
Home Goods
Homesense
IKEA
Kohl’s
Macy’s
Marshall’s
Nordstrom
Nordstrom Rack
Petco
REI (with be closed both Thanksgiving and Black Friday)
Sam’s Club
Staples
Simon Property Group (U.S.’s biggest mall group)
Target
The Container Store
TJ Maxx
Walmart
Check with your favorite retailers before heading out to shop them on Thanksgiving Thursday.
This Turkey Day, skip the endless cooking and eat your Thanksgiving dinner at one of these Dallas restaurants
Halloween isn’t even in the rearview and you’re probably seeing displays of yams and pie fixings in the grocery store. If you find the idea of cooking Thanksgiving dinner stressful, or daunting, or if you simply have a case of the “I don’t wannas,” make note: That the metroplex is filled with awesome restaurants and specialty markets that love food as much as you do, and because they went ahead and perfected Thanksgiving dinner, you won’t have to stress over whether or not your turkey is overcooked or if nana forgets the stuffing.
Whether you’re looking to get the family dressed up for a sit-down meal in a nice restaurant, want to hit a buffet, or are simply looking for a heat-and-eat meal where the hard part is already done for you, all you have to do is find what you like among this list of Dallas spots—from Whole Foods to unique spots like Bacchus Kitchen—serving up Turkey Day spreads. But pro tip: make your reservations early. You’re not the only one who is considering the “skip the cooking and dishes” idea, and things do book up quickly.
Bacchus Kitchen + Bar
Thanksgiving dinner at Bacchus Kitchen + Bar is traditionally served family style. However, a look at their 2022 Thanksgiving menu suggests this might be a buffet, as it lists crepe, egg, and pasta stations, in addition to carved turkey and prime rib. Wine pairings are offered for an additional charge. Order by Nov. 22. $95 and up.
215 E. Dallas Rd.
Grapevine, TX
Online: bacchustx.com
Central Market If you want to have your Thanksgiving at home, but you just don’t want to be involved in the cooking process, check out one of Central Market’s Dallas locations for curated menus and a la carte options for sides, appetizers, and desserts. If you order before Nov. 7, you’ll get a $10 coupon off your next in-store purchase. $70 and up.
OAK’D Handcrafted BBQ
Diners can enjoy smoked meats sliced fresh to order and prepared to perfection, locally sourced sides including roasted brussels sprouts and BBQ sweet potatoes. Homemade pies and sweet treats—recognized by Texas Monthly as the “Best in Dallas”—are baked by the in-house pastry chef and will have guests swooning. Order by Nov. 19. Complete dinners serving 10 to 12 people start at $285.
Dolce Riviera Dolce Riviera is offering a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call to reserve. $75 for adults, and $25 for children 12 and under.
Golden Corral America’s most well-known buffet has Thanksgiving meals to go. Order the “Holiday Feast to Go” online or using the Golden Corral app. Select Golden Corral locations are open on Thanksgiving so if you want the in-person experience, check your local store. $79 and up.
La Madeleine This restaurant offers hot and ready-to-eat and heat-at-home meals. The menu includes an upscale twist on the traditional turkey and ham dinner, with swanky accompaniments like mushroom sauce and cranberry chutney. $60 and up.
Local Foods Kitchen If you’ve got adventurous palates in your crowd of Thanksgiving people to feed, Local Foods Kitchen has delights such as carrot butternut soup, caramelized Brussels sprouts, and a variety of desserts, including caramel pumpkin gingersnap cheesecake (yum!). They also offer an “everything but the bird” package with sides and desserts. Pricing is a la carte but plan to spend around $150 to feed a table of 4 to 6 people.
Norma’s Cafe Order a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal from local favorite, Norma’s Café. Dinners include roasted turkey breast or spiral-cut glazed ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a 10-inch pumpkin pie. They have five locations to pick up your meal. $119 per meal, with a la carte options at an additional charge.
Various locations throughout Dallas Online:normascafe.com
Saltgrass Steak House Saltgrass Steak House has offered Thanksgiving meals in the past, however, the restaurant’s site still showcases its Halloween party meal offerings. If you’re interested in Thanksgiving from Saltgrass, we recommend checking back.
Various locations throughout Dallas Online: saltgrass.com
Scout at the Statler Hotel The Statler Hotel is offering a special thank you to veterans, first responders, and their immediate families. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet with all the trimmings will be served in The Statler’s restaurant, Scout, with football playing on the big screen. Reservations are required. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.
Urban Crust A Thanksgiving meal at Urban Crust includes turkey, gravy, chestnut polenta stuffing with Jimmy’s Italian sausage, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, butternut squash soup, and a choice of dessert. Orders open up on Nov. 1 for pick up on Nov. 23 between 2-4 p.m. $256.
Trulucks Trulucks will offer a traditional three-course Thanksgiving feast of turkey with everyone’s favorite sides and a selection of desserts. In addition, guests can enjoy two-holiday specialty cocktails: the Holiday Nog ($15) and a Turkey Fashioned, which is their take on an Old Fashioned made with Wild Turkey bourbon, spiced orange syrup, angostura, and orange bitters ($14.50). Reservations are recommended and can be made online or via Open Table. Adults cost $59, while children 12 and under are $25.
Cracker Barrel The popular comfort food chain offers several options for heat-and-eat dinners for gatherings of all sizes. They also have a variety of pies. $89 and up.
Westin Galleria Say goodbye to dishes and hello to a Thanksgiving buffet crafted by award-winning chef, David Smith. Adults cost $85, while children under 12 cost $45. Children five and under eat free. Be sure to make your reservations via Open Table.
Whole Foods Market
In the past, Whole Foods Market has offered complete meals and sides/desserts to go for your Thanksgiving meal. We’ve checked the websites for their Dallas-area locations and don’t see any Thanksgiving meal offers yet but Whole Foods is known for its everyday stock of heat-at-home items. $75 and up.
Surround them with kid-friendly furniture that’s designed to hold up to anything they throw at it (sometimes literally).
We have to admit, we weren’t totally ready for how rough-and-tumble our little ones can be on our grown-up furniture. We’ve baby-proofed, done our toy research, but now we’ve got our eye on kid-friendly furniture that’s up to the task. Dust the crumbs off your sofa, sit back, and check out our list of some of the best kid-friendly furniture out there!
With a 4.5 star rating from over 6,200 customers, you know this convertible sofa-lounger is the real deal! Lightweight with a machine-washable cover, there's a reason this is the first one on the list.
The kids pod swing seat is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, but we're especially excited about it for reading nooks and playrooms. It supports up to 100 lbs., so all the kids can get in on the swinging fun!
It's okay if you're a little jealous of this tent playhouse; we are, too. Watch your kids use it as a playhouse, a castle, and the perfect sleepover clubhouse!
If you have little ones, this butterfly seat set is ideal for every room in the house! Each seat is soft and lightweight, so they can be moved from space to space easily, and you won't mind if they're used for climbing, too.
For little ones who aren't quite ready for a study desk, Crayola's wooden table and chairs set is perfect! With two chairs, four storage compartments, and a tabletop that can be flipped between a dry-erase and a traditional chalkboard, they'll spend hours tapping into their creativity.
For a more streamlined, one-and-done desk option, this chair-desk from Delta is a great way to go! It features a large work surface, storage drawer, and removable cup holder.
A cake sofa sounds like a dream come true, if we're being honest. This darling sofa can be transformed from a seat to a desk and is designed to teach littles about shapes and spatial relations!
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
You don’t need a plane ticket to spend your summer days on a gorgeous island with long stretches of sandy beach. Sauvie Island, located just a short 20-30 minute drive from downtown Portland, is about to become your family’s favorite local summer getaway. It features a kid-friendly beachfront, along with and abundance of U-Pick farms with petting zoos, play spaces and more. If you are looking for a spectacular day or staycation, now’s the time to head to Sauvie Island for an epic family adventure that won’t soon be forgotten.
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Go Fishing
Nothing says Pacific Northwest fun like fishing! Check out one of the many small ponds or lake areas for practicing your hand at beginner-level fishing. Hit Haldeman Pond, Aaron's Lake, Steelman Lake or Mud Lake for a day of reeling them in. All of these spots provide excellent fishing holes throughout the summer season. Your little angler will enjoy trying their hand at catching the small perch, crappie, and catfish that can be found in the waters of Sauvie Island.
Sauvie island has some of Portland’s best beaches, for good reason. It is close enough for easy access, wild enough to go free (super free if you want—the nude beach is farther up the island!) From May through the end of the summer families can count on Sauvie Island beaches to provide a perfect spot for water and sand play with enough shade and sandy beach area to set up a base camp for a full day away from the house.
Walton Beach is your best bet for a sunny day on the water. Watch for eagles, count cargo ships, build a sand castle, then splash the sand away. It’s a popular spot, but doesn’t feel too crowded—there’s still plenty of room to fly a kite! A $10 daily parking pass is available at the Store right off the bridge to the island.
Collin's Beach: For free-spirited families this particular beach begins about a quarter of a mile after Reeder Road turns to gravel), is clothing optional so you and your kiddos can wear your birthday suit all day long. Just be sure to bring the sunscreen! You don't want to get burned!
LGBTQ families can head even further down Collins where they will find a stretch of beach filled with members of the LGBTQ family. Here too, clothing is optional. So bring the sunscreen and go early enough to grab some shade in advance. Sun umbrellas and tents are advised.
Portland families love to hike, and Sauvie Island features a gorgeous 5-mile moderate and flat trek to Warrior Rock Lighthouse that the whole family will enjoy. Fun fact: it happens to be Oregon’s smallest lighthouse! Stop along the way to look up for bald eagles, Canada geese, swans, and cranes. You may even see sea lions as you walk along the Columbia River! To get there, pass through the entry gate at the end of Reeder Road and follow the trail. There is a porta potty at the trail head as well. For more hiking information, check out All Trails writeup here.
Pick Produce
Get your buckets and bags ready to be filled. The Island is home to several awesome U-Pick farms that your kids are sure to love. This summer, check out Columbia Farms U-Pick for: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, marionberries, boysenberries, and blackberries. They also seasonally have tomatoes, peppers, flowers, pumpkins, and fall decor items, depending on when you visit. Don't forget to bring containers to place your freshly picked berries in, and maybe a picnic to enjoy at the tables under their gazebo while taking in the scenery. Pro tip: visit the website in advance to find out which berries are in season. They update their site regularly,
Topaz Farm From berry picking to petting animals to buying goodies at the farm store, there's just so much to do when visiting this Sauvie Island farm. Your kids will love picking ripe strawberries and then petting the mini goats and donkeys! It's a perfect pitstop after a day of beach play.
17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd, Portland, OR 9723 503-621-3489 Online: topazfarm.com
Bella Organics Berry picking, wine tasting and delicious eats are all available at this beloved Sauvie Island Farm. You can even stop in their courtyard and enjoy prepared farm products cooked to order and served for consumption on the farm as you enjoy the gorgeous scenery while dining at one of their picnic tables.
16205 NW Gillihan Rd, Portland, OR 97231 503-621-9545 Online: bellaorganic.com
The Original Pumpkin Patch Do not forget to stop at The Original Pumpkin Patch, where you will find the Big Red Animal Barn, which typically has goats, rabbits, and perhaps a turkey or peacock or two. It's sure to get an excited squeal out of your little one. But, that's not all this special spot has to offer. There's a coffee cart that will help you perk up if you are wearing down and a market, gift shop and even a patio cafe.
After all of these activities, you and your little one(s) may be ready for some rest. Settle in for a night or two stay at the family-run Croft Farm, a working fruit, vegetable and honey farm. The Croft's 300 square-foot guest suite is surrounded by acres of farmland and wildlife, as well as a friendly hound dog! Wake up to a view of Mt. St. Helens before nuzzling their rabbits and chickens goodbye and departing back for home, refreshed.
The Details The island takes about 30 minutes to get to via a single bridge from US 30, and another 30 minutes to get across. There are no gas stations there, so be sure to fill up before you arrive. Restrooms can be scarce: most farms have options, many are porta potties. Note that all wildlife areas on the island require parking passes for $10/day, which can be purchased at the Cracker Barrel store just to the left of the bridge when you arrive, or at the Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife further down. (The pass is not required to visit any farms.)
Pro Tips Parking: A parking permit is required to park at beaches or natural areas along the island (but not at business parking lots). A daily permit is $10, and an annual permit is $30. Tickets can be purchased online through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, most Portland-area Fred Meyer stores, or at The Cracker Barrel Store, located at 15005 NW Sauvie Island Road.
Fourth of July celebrations are back with a bang this year, and Portland families are ready to celebrate. With warm weather finally here, spend your day swimming at a sandy spot, then cooling off with some of the city’s best ice cream before heading out for festivities. From rodeo roundups to parades and fireworks, we’ve put together a list of some of the area’s best Fourth of July activities and events to be found. Read on to find out more.
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St. Paul Rodeo
Get your little cowgirls and cowboys all rounded up and ready for this awesome event. St. Paul Rodeo is one of the most popular rodeo events in Oregon taking place annually during the 4th of July weekend in St. Paul. "The Nation’s Greatest Fourth of July Rodeo” will return for the 84th year with the promise of top rodeo action, family fun and patriotism. Six rodeo performances, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, will feature the top rodeo cowboys and livestock in the World. Also featuring a Wild West Art Show, Tack Room Saloon, a carnival, food, shopping, live music, Jaycees Beer Garden, Fourth of July parade, and barbecue and much more. The kids will love the barrel racing, classic saddle bronco riding, team roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, tie-down roping, and so much more.
Where: 20025 4th St NE, St Paul, OR Cost: starting at $16 Event Details.
City of Portland Fireworks
The city of Portland will offer a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. off the Eastern Promenade. Many local parks host Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks after dark, including Mt. Tabor, the International Rose Test Garden, Sellwood Park, and Oaks Amusement Park. The Oaks Amusement Park offers a picnic area, roller-skating, and its own fireworks show.
Champoeg Independence Day Race
Grab your running shoes and head to this historic Park. Your family will enjoy an amazing day at Champoeg State Park running, eating and listening to music! This event includes an out and back Run (or walk), plenty of good food, amazing beer, and listen to some great music all inside of Historic Champoeg State Park.
When: 8 a.m. Cost: Cost depends on distance Where: Champoeg State Heritage Area, St Paul Event Details
Music lovers and fans will come together again July 1-4, for the Waterfront Blues Festival “Upriver!” This annual Fourth of July festival is returning with an unforgettable event that will be a Waterfront Blues Fest like no other. Held in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with unparalleled views of Portland’s famous bridges and riverfront, the festival is the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend. With family-friendly activities, sunny skies, the world-famous Zydeco dance floor and of course fireworks over the Willamette River, The Waterfront Blues Festival is not to be missed. Cost: varies by event
Portland families have the opportunity to attend this annual Independence Day parade. It will begin at Estacada High School. It will go south on Main Street to downtown, cross over to Broadway on SE 4th Ave, and continue up Broadway to River Mill Elementary School. In past years, the parade has featured vintage cars, tractors, hot rods, logging trucks, floats, animals, bands, and a Boy Scout color guard. This year’s parade, dubbed "Remember When" will also include first responders and members of the Forest Service. The parade lasts about an hour.
Fans of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas will clamor over this festive decor that perfectly incorporates into the spooky season.
photo: Home Depot
Mean green Oogie Boogie stands tall in any fun Halloween scene. Bright white LED lights illuminate the creepy creature and his minions in this inflatable that is versatile for both indoor and outdoor use.
He inflates in seconds and comes with tethers and stakes so he stays put. The Oogie Boogie Halloween Inflatable retails for $179 at Home Depot.
Get ready for a 2021 summer full of retro 1980s and 1990s fun. Igloo recently released its rad Retro Collection—and these cute coolers are like totally tubular!
Igloo’s Retro Collection will take you back to your own childhood camping trips and outdoor outings. The awesome ’80s and ’90s themed line features bold hues, such as jade, magenta and a sunshine yellow.
photo: Courtesy of Igloo
Along with bright colors, the radically retro collection also includes styles straight from the beloved brand’s 1992 lines. Look for the Picnic Basket, Half-Gallon Jug and Barrel of Fun. You can also nab five Retro hardside coolers in sizes ranging from the seven-quart Little Playmate to an all-new Family 36-Quart Cooler.
As if that’s not enough Igloo coolness for the summer, the line also features four Retro softside coolers. Instead of the typical softsided zip cooler, these nostalgic nods to the ’80s and ’90s include a fanny pack, backpack, lunch bag and duffel bag styles.
Brian Garofalow, Chief Marketing Officer at Igloo“Two years ago, we launched with three throwback designs from our 1992 product catalog, added on three more styles last year, and this year we’re taking Retro to the max! We’re already seeing our fans planning for an amazing summer of outdoor adventures and know our Retro Collection.”
Find the Retro Collection right now online at Igloo’s website here!
It’s time to get ready to hit those Black Friday sales. In recent years, shopping commenced before the turkey was served. It can be challenging to plan out your Thanksgiving menu along with your holiday shopping. To help keep our calendars organized, RetailMeNot has compiled a list of confirmed and projected Black Friday store hours.
Happy shopping!
A.C. Moore Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Opens at 5 a.m.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Thanksgiving Day: Closed, shoppers can get deals online or in-store from November 22-28 Black Friday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ace Hardware Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Varies by location
Ann Taylor Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Varies by location
Apple Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Navy Exchange Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Opens at 5 a.m.
Neiman Marcus Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Opens at 8 a.m.
New Balance Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New York & Company
Thanksgiving Day: 6 p.m. Black Friday: Opens at 6 a.m, but check local mall hours
Nordstrom Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Opens at 8 a.m, but check local store hours
Office Depot and OfficeMax Thanksgiving Day: Closed, but sales start online at 12:01 a.m. ET Black Friday: Opens at 8 a.m.
Old Navy Thanksgiving Day: Opens at 3 p.m. and many do not close, but some close at 1 a.m. Black Friday: Many stay open from Thanksgiving until 11 p.m., but some open at 5 a.m.
PacSun Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
PetSmart Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Yet to be announced
Pottery Barn Thanksgiving Day: Closed Black Friday: Yet to be announced
Given the time of year, most people are taking some time to reflect on their lives and think about the things and people that they find themselves grateful for. Thinking about this myself, I have to think more intently on what gratitude really looks like to me, and whether or not I turly express it to the depth that I feel it. The answer in the majority of cases, is unfortunately no.
Raising children is difficult.
Then add special needs.
And a pandemic.
Sleepless nights.
Clinical, PTSD-level anxiety.
Communication struggles that turn into meltdowns.
Meltdowns that turn into aggression.
Just so much uncertainty.
But, with each of those struggles, comes something so beautiful—so many things to be grateful for.
Grateful for the excitement and pure joy a new skill brings.
Grateful for that moment when you hit a breakthrough, and communication gains shine through.
Grateful for a supportive husband that recognizes when a break is needed, even though he is tired from a full day of work himself.
Grateful for a helpful, loving, teenage sibling that knows she is her little brother’s person—and will do anything to see him smile.
Grateful for supportive parents that will FaceTime multiple times a week—to only be talked to for maybe two minutes of the half-hour they are on the call. ‘Cause just being connected and accessible to your son calms him, knowing he can see more of his people.’
Grateful for a tribe of friends that get your life, share in your struggles, acknowledge your successes, and champion each other. Love y’all—the ones that lift you up during the hard, no matter the time of day…or night.
Grateful for the team of therapists and teachers, the ones that go above and beyond, so far beyond their call of duty to provide the best format for your child to flourish, and gracefully work with him even when he’s struggling, just being stubborn or even when he’s acting like a maniac squirrel that fell in a barrel of Mountain Drew and drank his way out.
There are just so many things to be grateful for. Yes, this special needs journey has its share of hardships. If not for these struggles, the hard, or the difficult, the good, the gains, and the friendships would likely have never shone through so brightly.
Trista is a mother of two, Allayna and David. David was diagnosed with moderate ASD. She is married to her husband Drew and they live in Wisconsin where she works full-time from home. She enjoys spending time with her family, large amounts of coffee and sharing her family's journey.
Crate and Barrel has recalled their Kids Danish Tall Bookcases because the legs can break and cause them to collapse when fully loaded. This recall involves Crate and Barrel Danish White and Natural Tall Bookcases (SKU 325982) and Danish Walnut and White Tall Bookcases (SKU 325943). Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bookcase and contact Crate and Barrel to receive a full refund.
The bookcases have four shelves and measure 60 inches tall by 32 inches wide. The bookcase has a two-tone white and wood finish. There is a label underneath the bottom shelf with Crate and Barrel, the SKU number and the name of the product.
The bookcases were sold at Crate and Barrel stores nationwide and online at www.crateandbarrel.com from June 2017 through January 2020 for about $300.
Crate and Barrel has received five reports of the bookcase’s leg breaking. No injuries have been reported.
Consumers can contact Crate and Barrel at 800-451-8217 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Sat. and Sun. or online at www.crateandbarrel.com and click on “Recalls” located at the bottom of the page for more information.