WHAT’S ON THE MENU – HOLIDAY SEASON HACKS 

We’re not quite sure how it happened so quickly, but Thanksgiving is on the horizon! For a food-focused holiday, it’s a lot of pressure for those in the kitchen. Luckily, we’ve gathered up some of our favorite tips and tricks to help you serve up a holiday that’s memorable for all the right reasons. 

Thanksgiving Food Inspiration 

Turkey may be the Thanksgiving staple, but what about the other supporting dishes? From salads to potatoes to the all-important desserts, you may be wondering how to make the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. 

Here at The Lakes, we think you should start with the main dish and create side dishes from there. Decide on a turkey or other protein that will be the star of the show, along with some classic side dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy or green–bean casserole.  

Now comes the fun! Mix things up with festive dishes – some of our favorites are salads that incorporate cranberries and pumpkin seeds, or dinner rolls shaped like pumpkins. We’re sure that fun touches like this will have your guests smiling!  

If you’re in need of some recipes or inspiration, be sure to visit our It’s Turkey Time Pinterest board. From appetizers to dessert, we’ve got you covered!   

Ditch the Dishes 

If you’re looking to skip some cooking over the holiday week, we don’t blame you. Let someone else do the work and take your family to one of the many restaurant options located near The Lakes.  

Centerra is home to restaurants that fit every palate. Biaggi’s offers hand-crafted Italian fare fit for a crowd. Bent Fork is a locally owned restaurant with traditional dishes sure to satisfy. With group-sized servings, P.F. Chang’s brings plenty of flavor to scratch-made dishes. One of the newest offerings at Centerra is Pinocchio’s Incredible Italian, where they serve classic Italian favorites including a delicious dessert menu. If you’re looking for other options, Old Chicago and Rock Bottom Brewery have traditional American fare paired with delicious local brews. Each of these locations also offers takeout, the perfect solution for hosting without the hassle. You may just find something new to eat for Thanksgiving and start a great tradition! 

Hoping to venture a bit farther outside your door? Downtown Loveland is a great option for local dining. Whether it’s a full dinner, drinks or dessert you’ll find hand-crafted options that are fun to explore. 

Don’t Forget the Decor 

We love taking the opportunity to turn a meal into an event. You can draw inspiration from the colors here at the Lakes – the warm hues of the changing leaves, the dark blue of the water and the white of the snow (that will hopefully hold off for the holiday) – to create a scene that will have your guests talking. These colors can be incorporated through napkins, tablecloths, placemats or fun floral arrangements! 

Another fun idea is replacing a traditional table runner with butcher paper. You can leave festive messages or indicate where everyone will sit – as a bonus, your smaller guests can even do some decorating as a fun activity while they’re at the table! 

Don’t toss your pumpkins just yet! Gourds are great along a table to add festive colors while larger pumpkins can be used to hold flowers or even food (if you’re feeling bold). 

Fast Finger Food 

Say that three times fast! November isn’t just for Thanksgiving, it’s also a time to gather together to root on your favorite football team. That means serving up snacks that are tasty, but not too time intensive so you won’t miss a thing. Easy game day snacks will leave everyone satisfied, even if the final score doesn’t.  

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes on our ‘Game Day Snacks’ board on Pinterest. From simple dips to filling sliders, we hope this helps you feed your crowd!  

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what’s on the table as much as who’s around it. From all of us at The Lakes, we hope you have a wonderful holiday! 

Festive Food-Focused Gatherings 

A good meal gets better when it’s shared with good neighbors and friends. Winter WonderLAKES kicked off in November and is filled with holiday themed gatherings that allow the opportunity to spend time with neighbors and friends and enjoy classic holiday foods. Learn more about this year’s holiday gatherings below. You can find a full list of The Lakes’ seasonal events in your resident newsletter.  

• December 7: PJs and Pancakes with Santa 
• December 10: Hot Chocolate and Holiday Lights Party  
• December 12: Sweet! A Holiday Cookie Exchange 
• December 13: Ugly Sweater Cocktail Party & Reindeer Games