Thank God it's thanksgiving!

JONNY PÅLSSON
Communicator

Can’t wait for the parties? Don’t worry, there’s another holiday before you open the Christmas presents. The popular weekend of Thanksgiving is here. Let yourself go with the tips below.

Unlike some holidays, such as New Year's Eve, the Fourth of July or Halloween, when people traditionally go out somewhere to celebrate, Thanksgiving is most commonly celebrated at home, with family and friends. This is one of the things I like best about Thanksgiving; I get to share wonderful traditions, drinks and relaxed times with my family in my home.

Thanksgiving is a normally a four day weekend which usually marks a pause in the normal life. Families and friends gather for a reunion, a day of thanks, and a festive meal. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in every year on the fourth Thursday in November. But did you know that seven other nations also celebrate an official Thanksgiving Day? Brazil, Canada, North Korea, Japan, Liberia, Switzerland and South Korea have all their own variations on the theme.

Traditions are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and every family has their own way of celebrating. From stuffing the turkey to taking in a football game. These are my top 5 thanksgiving traditions:

• Thanksgiving Parade: This is my favourite! Anywhone who wants to dress like me in a turkey costume?

• Turkey and Trimmings: From the first Thanksgiving to today's turkey burgers, eating turkeys is a Thanksgiving tradition dating back for centuries. Yummy!

• Giving Thanks: Naturally, one of the most common traditions of Thanksgiving Day celebrations is the giving of thanks. This Year I thank ABSOLUT for the new flavor ABSOLUT MANGO.

• Thanksgiving Quotations: Another favourite for Thanksgiving. My friends and me are gathering and swapping quotes. This is my tips for 2007: “Bad drinks has never killed anybody, but why take a chance?"

• Thanksgiving Shopping (known as Black Friday): Another well celebrated tradition and are also the start of the Christmas shopping season. I suggest you purchase another bottle of good Swedish vodka for all the festives to come.

But no Thanksgiving are complete with a couple of good drinks. There are a few must to drink and a few less must. Let me suggest a few personal favourites, now you have to choose, adult or not an adult drink?

ABSOLUT THANKSGIVING COOLER
1 part ABSOLUT VANILIA
1 dash Cranberry Syrup
1 dash Lime Juice
Orange Juice
Fill a Collins glass with ice, add the ingredients and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge. Top with Soda water.

Everybody loves a fruity, fizzy holiday punch. This sweet-tart version is a hit with adults and kids alike- the thanksgiving punch. For an adult version of this drink, just add your favourite vodka.

THE THANKSGIVING PUNCH
Cranberry juice
Frozen Pink Lemonade concentrate
Ginger Ale
Lemons, cut into thin slices
Pour cranberry juice and pink lemonade into a large punchbowl. Stir to combine and dissolve the frozen lemonade. When ready to serve, pour Ginger Ale and float the lemon slices on top. Garnish with fresh cranberries, and serve in a rocks glass.

PUMPKIN PIE MARTINI
2 parts ABSOLUT VANILIA
1 part Milk
1 tablespoon Pumpkin smash
1 dash Sugar
1 dash Cinnamon
Mix ABSOLUT VANILIA, pumpkin smash, milk and ice in a martini shaker. Shake well. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and add to rim of martini glass. Strain pumpkin pie martini into the martini glass rimmed with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.