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Fall has officially arrived, and our first autumn holiday is just round the corner. As the first family holiday of the season, Thanksgiving is a great time to host a family gathering to catch up with loved ones and a great excuse to entertain in your home. It can be somewhat stressful hosting Thanksgiving dinner, so here are a few ways to ensure that your holiday celebration will be a fabulous one; free from stress, fights and any cooking disasters.

1.  Ask Everyone about Food Allergies, Sensitivities, and Restrictions

Many of us have friends and family with food allergies or restrictions due to ethnicity, ethical or religious background. When preparing your Thanksgiving meal, reach out to your guests as soon as you can to find out what foods you should not be preparing. The same goes for if kids are attending: some may only eat “kid food” and will refuse what’s being served, so ask parents what the kiddies will eat, and make it avalable. If there are multiple restrictions, i.e. vegans, nut allergies, gluten-free etc. be creative and do some online searching for recipes that will satisfy every restriction.

2.  Don’t Try to Do It All Alone

Many hosts end up stressed out and frustrated because they get so overwhelmed by trying to cook every dish on their own. Invite friends and family over early so they can assist with some tasks like cutting vegetables, setting the table or mixing batter for the dessert. Another option is to prep dishes in advance, freeze them and pop them in the oven of Thanksgiving Day.

3. Make It a Potluck

One way to ensure that everyone can eat something at your party is to make it a potluck. Have every guest bring a favourite dish of theirs, so everyone can have the opportunity to try something new, or stick to what they know is safe for them. This is less stressful for the host who won’t have to prepare a large variety of dishes.

4. Take time to relax

If you’re hosting this year’s dinner, be sure to book some time off the following day to tidy up and relax. Even the most stress-free party will require a lot of work, and taking a day to decompress will be needed.

Not everything is going to go right at your dinner, a dish may turn out bad or too many guests may show up, and that’s absolutely okay. Just go with the flow, keep a sense of humour, and enjoy the special time of making new memories with family and friends.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

As the city of Calgary continues to grow, planners need to think creatively about transportation.  The cost of living is on the rise, and it’s no surprise that many Calgarians are opting to go car-free, if their lifestyle permits.  Cycling is a fun and inexpensive way to get around the city, and it can save you thousands of dollars in parking fees, gas, and insurance.  The increase of two-wheeled travelers has recently prompted an exciting change downtown – the cycle track.

If you are not yet familiar with this project, here’s what you should know:  The cycle track is a bike lane protected by barriers from moving vehicles, parking spots, and pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk.  It is a protected laneway that promotes the safety of cyclists and reduces the possibility of a collision.  There is specific signage in place for cyclists, and modified traffic signals to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.  The laneway currently runs along several major downtown streets.

Did you know that over 12,500 cyclists travel in and out of the downtown core every day?  According to a recent study by the City of Calgary, there has been a 122% increase in bicycle travel since 1996.  The cycle track has been a pilot project that began construction in April of this year.  It was created by the city with the help of resident feedback.  Based on the experience of both motorists and cyclists, changes have been implemented to improve the safety and efficient flow of traffic.

For the most part, the new project has been well-received, but not without a few challenges.  Among them, the reduction of car parking in front of local businesses downtown has been a point of contention.  Store and restaurant owners have expressed concern that a lack of parking will deter potential customers because of the added inconvenience.  To address these concerns, the city needs to review each path on a case by case basis.

Making Calgary more cyclist-friendly is just another step towards growing a healthy and accessible downtown core.  If you live in the suburbs, you can still take advantage of the cycle track.  You are permitted to bring your bike on the CTrain and make your way downtown, as long as you are not riding during rush hour.  There are no restrictions on weekends or stat holidays.

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.