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It’s the month to be grateful!
Well… gratefulness should be all year round, I suppose. But November is the month when Thanksgiving lands, and today is its final official day.
I want to thank all my subscribers again — and gently remind those of you still thinking about a paid subscription that a month of premium access costs less than a pumpkin spice latte these days. I truly believe Not Done Yet is worth skipping one latte a month.
This past week has been full of family, food, and fun. Two of my sisters came in from Hawaii and the West Coast with some of their kids, and the family’s only baby made the trip from Virginia Beach. It’s been so nice seeing everyone and just hanging out. Thanksgiving used to be a weeklong cooking marathon, but not this year. With more family to split the dishes, it was more like three days — a light lift by comparison.
The family’s first great-grandchild.
So here we are, at a coffee shop. We’ve ordered our respective drinks and pastries — yes, I’m ordering a pastry; that’s just the reality of the situation. We’re sitting at our favorite table unless it’s crowded, in which case we’ll squeeze in wherever we can.
What are we talking about? This past week — everyone’s Thanksgiving, the good meals, the funny moments. I’ve never had one of those chaotic, argumentative Thanksgivings you see in movies. There’s always enough food and the right beverages to keep people exactly where they need to be: happy or napping on the couch.
Me and my mom!
And then suddenly it’s over, and I’m left with a house to tidy and things to return to where they belong. This part often takes more days than it took to cook my dishes. As I sit here, I’m looking at a pile of clothes because when you’re trying to figure out what to wear, somehow they never hang themselves back in the closet.
I’m also staring at two laundry bags of my own clothes, plus two more filled with sheets waiting to be washed. Honestly? I’d rather bake a cake.
Family has been here all week, with activities and work sprinkled throughout, so tidying has been pushed to “later.” Which likely means tomorrow… and the next tomorrow. It’s also gift giving season, which means soon enough I’ll have to start wrapping gifts. I think this year I’m going back to fabric gift bags for whatever I can stuff in there with tissue. I have a spot where I stash everything so the kids can’t see them — even though more of them are out of the house now than in it. Still, that pile is growing. And some gifts will need to be mailed out. Spiraling here.
It will all work out. Coffee and a pastry first.
Thanks for taking a stroll (or a coffee) with me today. And don’t forget to sign up for our premium subscription — it helps ensure our community continues to thrive.
Rindraty Limtiaco is not done yet! ([email protected])
5 Gems for the Week (Gift-Giving Version)
1. Give something small but personal.
A handwritten note, a printed photo, a favorite recipe — the gifts that cost almost nothing often mean the most.
2. Wrap with intention, not perfection.
A gift bag, reused ribbon, or even butcher paper with a sprig of greenery works. The point is the thought, not the corners.
3. Support someone small.
Buy one gift from a local maker, artist, or small business. Your purchase becomes part of their holiday story too.
4. Gift experiences, not just things.
A coffee date, a walk, a homemade meal, or babysitting for a tired parent — these are the gifts people remember.
5. Give yourself grace.
Not every gift will be on time. Not every bow will match. Not every task will get done today. You're allowed to enjoy the season while it’s happening.
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