No matter what family you are in or what you do over the Thanksgiving break, food is a big part of the holidays. From the mashed potatoes to the mac and cheese, the magic of the season can be wrapped up into the food we enjoy together. A common misconception for Turkey Day is that all the goodies we eat have to be homemade. But face it, sometimes you do not have the time to prepare everything before the family walks in the front door. Here are some life hacks for making, or buying, some of the best Thanksgiving foods everyone loves.

 After a survey with over 80 student responses at MHS, the top food chosen by the student body is mashed potatoes. If you think that making this dish is too complicated, here is a simple step by step instruction on how to make them for your entire family. For the mashed potatoes, you will need about three pounds of peeled potatoes, one teaspoon of table salt, two tablespoons of butter (not required), a pinch of pepper, and ¼ cup of hot milk. First, cut the potatoes into small chunks. Then put them into a  large saucepan with just enough water to cover them. Add ¾ teaspoon of salt to the mixture and bring it to boil When boiling, move the heat to medium low and keep there for about 15 to 20 minutes until they easily break apart. Once there, drain all excess water, make sure to get all the water to make sure the potatoes are not soggy. Lastly, add the remaining salt, pepper, and slowly mash adding just enough milk to make potatoes creamy and smooth. You may end up with extra milk, this is fine as long as the mixture is creamy and smooth. Junior Laura Mulrooney explained why she loves mashed potatoes saying, “Thanksgiving is the only time of year we have them and they bring back happy memories.” Congratulations, you now have the perfect meal of about ten servings. If you in a crunch for time, Country Crock Homestyle Mashed Potatoes will work as well.

 Another way you can help this Thanksgiving is to buy the family favorites. Your busy schedule may restrain you from baking with the family, so having a plan B is always nice. One key place to check out is Whole Foods. Whole Foods has some of the most quality ready to go meals you can pick up and enjoy with your family.

 Once you have everything to eat, time to make everything look good. Take a few apples, and some pinecones you can find outside, and place them in a large bowl. The centerpiece will look best if the bowl is not clear. Then take two more regular sized bowls and fill them with popcorn. Placing the largest bowl in the center and the two smaller bowls on opposite sides of the center. This centerpiece is sure to bring everything together and add something to the heart of your Thanksgiving table. If something is still needed to tie everything together, add two white candles into the equation. Now you have a perfect side and a two small side bowls.

No matter where you go, everyone agrees that Thanksgiving is all about the being with your family. Make sure to enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family, and the amazing food you share.