Hey y’all! Glad to connect once again. This week, we have some exciting stories in store for you as we begin to approach the holiday season. But before we get to that, our AirPods giveaway has officially closed. Check your email to see if you’re the lucky winner. Thanks to everyone who participated, and be sure to follow us on FB and IG  to stay in the loop for future contests. Now, onto the good stuff. Here’s what awaits you in this week’s newsletter:

1. Don’t want to cook this Thanksgiving? Enjoy a lovingly-prepared holiday feast at one of these local restaurants.

2. If you’re traveling for the holidays, don’t miss these helpful tips. 

3. Shop for presents that are uniquely Savannah with this gift guide. 

4. Are the holidays a hard time for you? Here’s how to beat those blues. 

All the details are down below, and TYSM for reading The Low.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your holiday plans sorted out yet, you could be feeling the pressure. A time for gratitude and gathering, Thanksgiving is defined by hearty, heartfelt meals with loved ones. Home cooks usually spend several hours in the kitchen preparing for the big day, if not longer. What if you could take all the stress of cooking out of the equation and simply enjoy a delicious, bountiful meal made by someone else on Thanksgiving? Well, fortunately, you can! There are quite a few local restaurants serving up special Thanksgiving meals this year. All you have to do is make a reservation and let the restaurant do the rest. If you want to skip out on cooking and dine out this Thanksgiving, here’s a list of local restaurants that are ready to host you for the holiday.  

Located in the opulent Bohemian Hotel, Rocks on the River is hosting a special Thanksgiving buffet on the holiday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The menu consists of traditional Thanksgiving favorites, like Honey-Glazed Ham, as well as Southern-inspired staples, like Oyster Stuffing. RSVP and prepare to enjoy a memorable meal without all the labor.

The DeSoto invites you to their traditional Thanksgiving feast in their grand Oglethorpe Ballroom. From 12- 6 p.m., guests can enjoy fresh fares, Thanksgiving classics and an abundance of sweet treats. The all-inclusive buffet is $65 per person with cocktails available at an additional cost. Families are encouraged to come and dine. Children under 5 are free, and children ages 6 – 12 are half off. If you dine with The DeSoto on Thanksgiving, you can receive complimentary valet parking as well. RSVP asap and let The Desoto take care of the rest.

Not a fan of turkey? No problem! Fleeting has the holiday meal for you. Their No-Turkey Thanksgiving menu has everything you love about the holiday dinner except for the traditional fowl. The prix fixe meal includes three courses for $95 per person. The menu will be served from 2 to 7 p.m. on the holiday. Reservations are recommended. 

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Forget the ordinary and do something different this Thanksgiving. Take a riverboat cruise and enjoy a delicious holiday buffet, live music and striking views as you sail along the Savannah River. There are two cruises available on the holiday, with the first boarding at 11:30 a.m. and the second boarding at 4 p.m. Prices are $109.95 for adults, $62.95 for children ages 5-12, and free for children who are 4 and under. Reserve your cruise and let any stress melt away. 

 

Six Pence Pub is hosting a Thanksgiving feast at the affordable price of just $19.95. The menu includes all of the traditional staples, with dessert, a sweet slice of Pumpkin Pie, available for an additional $4.95. Their regular menu will also be served on the holiday. 

The famous Pirates’ House is offering their grand Thanksgiving buffet on the holiday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prices are $52.95 for adults, $22.95 for children ages 4-12, and $5.95 for children 3 and under. The buffet includes a wide variety of salads, sides, seafood, sweets and traditional holiday staples. With so many options on the menu, there’s truly something for everyone. Call (912) 233-5757 to make your reservation. 

City Market eatery, Belford’s is hosting a special Thanksgiving dinner at $80 per person. The menu includes all the traditional fixings along with Southern coastal favorites like their award-winning Crab Cake & Gulf Shrimp. There are plenty of menu items to accommodate every palate this Thanksgiving. Email tpalmer@belfordssavannah.com to make a reservation. 

The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa’s Aqua Star restaurant is offering a delicious Thanksgiving feast featuring fresh, flavorful food items that are well suited for the holiday. At $85 per person, guests can enjoy a variety of garden goodies, as well as turkey and pork loin carving stations and several Savannah favorites. There will also be an assortment of pies, cakes and treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Their Thanksgiving menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the holiday. 

The Chart House welcomes you to enjoy their Thanksgiving Day menu offerings. Their all-inclusive three-course dinner is available at $55 per person. It includes a starter, a traditional turkey dinner or other entree options, and a dessert of your choice. 

If you’re interested in a Thanksgiving Day brunch, make your reservation with Rhett. They’re offering a special holiday brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring all of your brunch favorites along with a few festive dishes. They’re also hosting a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. The prix fixe menu includes three courses that you can enjoy for $65. 

If you’ve ever traveled during the holiday season before, you can probably attest to the stress that comes along with it. Crowds and inflated prices can make traveling this time of year a colossal headache, but with a little extra planning, you can enjoy smooth sailing ahead of and during your trip. Here are a few holiday travel tips to help you navigate your trips with ease this holiday season. 

The closer we get to the holidays, the more prices on flights and hotels will increase. Book as soon as you can, preferably before the Thanksgiving holiday, to avoid paying exorbitant high prices. 

You can save a lot on airfare by flying the day of the holiday. But if that’s not an option for you, try to be flexible with your dates. Avoid flying on peak travel days and look for cheaper flights on days that are a day or two before or after peak periods. 

If you’re traveling to be with family for the holidays, you likely have gifts with you. And it would be absolutely terrible if your luggage gets lost or delayed en route to your final destination. Avoid that headache altogether by packing all of your gifts and travel necessities in a carry-on bag. Also, be sure to leave gifts unwrapped in case you get inspected by TSA. 

Depending on your destination, driving may be the best mode of travel for you during the holidays. Take some of the money you’re saving on airfare and use it to make sure that your car is in tip-top shape ahead of your trip. Nothing is worse than being stranded on the side of the road miles from home during the holidays because your car broke down. Get your vehicle to a good mechanic and make sure that everything is functioning properly before you go. 

Murphy’s Law is inevitable. So it’s a good idea to have a back up plan in case something goes wrong. Get travel insurance so you’re covered in case of a canceled flight. Check bus and train fares as alternate ways to get to your destination. And if all else fails, plan a local staycation in the event that your travel plans fall apart.

The holiday season is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking about gift shopping. If you can, start shopping early to take advantage of seasonal specials, sales and discounts. During the festive season, we give gifts to our loved ones to show appreciation for their roles in our lives. Rather than give something basic that anyone can get from anywhere, step up your gift-giving game with a present that’s uniquely Savannah. If you want to set yourself apart this holiday season, here’s a brief guide to local gift giving. 

There’s nothing like a sweet treat to enjoy during the holidays. Give the gift of velvety smooth, delicious artisan chocolates handcrafted in the Hostess City by local chocolatier Adam Turoni. With a wide variety of decadent bars and bites to choose from, there’s something for every chocoholic at Turoni’s shops. There are two locations in Savannah, The Chocolate Dining Room on Broughton and The Chocolate Library on Bull. Stop by one of them to see their sizable selection of satisfying chocolates yourself. 

Is there a voracious reader on your holiday shopping list? Gift them with a page-turner from lauded local author Mary Kay Andrews. A Tybee Island resident, Andrews often tells intriguing stories about life in the Southeast. Her latest novel, The Santa Suit is a perfect read for Christmastime. Celebrating the magic of the holiday season, the novel follows a newly-divorced woman who buys an old farmhouse in North Carolina and discovers mystery, family and a second chance at love. Andrews has a collection of more than 30 titles, so there’s plenty of books to choose from. 

Everyone could use some extra pampering during the holidays. Give a little TLC with a stellar set from Nourish. Specializing in natural handmade bath products for the whole family, Nourish has the perfect products to soothe your skin and beautify your bathtime. If someone on your shopping list is dealing with stress, help them relieve it with a relaxing gift set from Nourish. They’ll definitely thank you for it. 

If you’re shopping for someone with a quirky sense of style, get them a cool tee from Starland Strange. All of their tees are locally made and exclusively designed, so they’ll definitely make wearers stand out in a crowd. Their unique tees are available online and in-store, so check out their stash and find something superb for the fashionista on your list. 

Of course, you can’t forget about your furry friends during the holiday season. You can find something Fido will love at The Hipster Hound. Their products include toys, treats, food and accessories, so there’s a wide variety of goodies to choose from. With two locations in Savannah, The Hipster Hound is ready to serve you and your pup (or kitty) this Christmas.

The holiday season is all about generosity and good cheer defined by family gatherings, glittering lights and joyous festivities. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for some it can be difficult and depressing. There are many reasons why the holidays may leave you feeling hollow. Perhaps you can’t spend it with your family. Maybe you’ve gone through a recent breakup. Or you might be in a rough place financially. If you’re feeling blue as the holiday season approaches, know you’re not alone. Seasonal depression is fairly common, affecting about 14 percent of the American populace. Fortunately, there are things you can do to combat holiday blues. Here are a few tips to help you manage during this time of year. 

It’s completely okay to not be okay. The first step in addressing an issue is acknowledging that it exists. Don’t bottle up your negative emotions. Dealing with them is the best way to avoid outbursts and becoming overwhelmed. If you need to take time to cry or sit with your feelings for a while, do so.  

Oftentimes, feeling like you’re alone is just an illusion. Despite its drawbacks, the internet age means that we’re closer than ever before, even if it doesn’t feel like it at times. Reach out to people who care about you and talk through your feelings with them. If you’d rather talk to someone new, there are all kinds of support groups, specialists and communities available online. Don’t isolate completely. Seek support from someone you trust or a trained professional to help you navigate this season. 

The holiday season tends to come with a lot of mounting obligations. It might not be conducive to your peace of mind to attend every event and participate in every activity that the holidays present. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Say no to some things to prevent yourself from being burnt out. 

Alcohol is a regular part of the holiday season for many, but if you’re vulnerable to depression and negative thought patterns, you may want to cut back on your drinking. One or two drinks here and there might not affect you much. But drinking to excess can alter your mood and may worsen any negative feelings you may have. 

Exercising helps to combat depression and relieve stress by releasing endorphins that improve your mood. Even a light walk once a day can help get you out into the elements and out of a funk.