Gobble Gobble!  Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the holiday season. And since things are always hectic we figured we could make it easy by giving you the inside scoop. It's most important to focus on all that you are thankful for, but of course that comes with a great meal and some fun activities (you know falling asleep on the couch after dinner with football in the background). Bucks County is no stranger to the tradition and there is plenty of going on.

GIVE BACK:

Black Tuesday – Make your holiday purchases early and stock up on goodies for your Thanksgiving celebration on Tuesday, November 23rd from 6-9pm! Help support local mom crafters and businesses as well as raise money for a local charity. There will be vendor tables, a basket raffle (including a BeMe Box!) and a refreshment booth. Proceeds from the raffle and refreshments go to Quilts for Kids. The event will be held at the Yardley Community Center.

Fundraiser for Food Pantry – Annual Thanksgiving Day Yoga Class and Food Bank Fundraiser at Yoga Loka in Frenchtown, NJ on Thursday, November 25th from 10:00 am-12:00 noon. Experience asana to live music with Bonnie Pariser and Dan Johnson on Tabla. This 2-hour class will guide us towards an authentic experience of gratitude. Some asana experience is good, but not necessary to attend. The suggested donation is $20 with proceeds going to the Frenchtown Food Bank. Suggested donation is $20. You can send in your donations via check to Yoga Loka or bring to the studio next time you are in class. Register early-class fills quickly! Register on-line at www.yoga-loka.com or at the studio.

5K to Benefit Habitat for Humanity – The Quakertown Rotary Club and Quakertown United Methodist Church are hosting the Habitat 5K Race at the Quakertown United Methodist Church, 1875 Frier Road, on Saturday, Novmeber 27th. Registration opens at 8:00am, with the ¾-mile Kid’s Race at 9:30am and the 5K starting at 10am. Awards for the top male and female will be presented along some ‘special' awards.  All proceeds of the race benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County.

Give and Get – The Bucks County Wellness Centre is holding a pantry item drive now through November 22nd. The drive will support the Bucks County Housing Group. For each donation you give, you will get a gift certificate from the Bucks County Wellness Centre. Items that are being accepted include canned goods, coffee, tea, sugar, personal hygiene items, diapers and baby food. A complete list can be found on their website.

EVENTS:

Gingerbread Competition & Display – From now through January 1st check out the Gingerbread House display in Peddler's Village. Gingerbread house competition for over $3,400 in cash prizes in such categories as : Traditional, Authentic Reproduction of a Significant Building, Amateur, Unusual 3-Dimensional Creation Student (ages 13 to 18) and KidsOnly! (ages 12 and under). A visual delight, the entries are displayed throughout the holiday season in the Village Gazebo.

Turkey Handprint Plates – The Mud Shack is hosting a mommy and me class where they use children handprints to make turkey Thanksgiving plates. The class is on Sunday, November 21st at 1:30pm and is only $23 for the instruction and ceramic plate. Call 215-393-8380 for more details.

The Nutcracker – Roxy Ballet Company of Lambertville is kicking off the 2010 holiday season with Tchaikovsky’s  holiday classic The Nutcracker with four shows on Thanksgiving weekend, November 27 & 28. Whether it's your first time or part of an annual tradition, The Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family. November 27th shows are at 3pm and 7pm. November 28th shows are at 1pm and 4pm. Tickets range from $25-50. Call 609-397-7616 or www.roxeyballet.org

Nativity Weekend – Byers' Choice in Chalfont will be hosting an event where you can visit the creche room and see over 250 nativities from around the world. Children can make their own nativity to take home with them. This is a free event but registration is required. Please call the Gift Emporium to sign up at 215-822-6700.

Thanksgiving Celebration – During the National Constitution's Thanksgiving weekend celebration, visitors can give thanks to the men and women of the armed forces by writing letters and creating care packages to send to the troops, in conjunction with the world debut Art of the American Soldier exhibition. Visitors can also participate in the interactive program “History of Thanksgiving” to learn about traditions such as the annual presidential turkey pardon. Children are invited to make seasonal crafts, including corn husk dolls. November 26th 10am-3pm, November 27th 10am-2pm, and November 28th 12noon-3pm.

6abc IKEA Thanksgiving Day Parade – This is the oldest parade, started in 1920, and is still going strong. It will begin at 8:30am on Thanksgiving day, November 25th. Start point is at 20th and Market Streets. From there, the parade proceeds east on Market Street for five blocks to 15th Street. The Parade turns left onto 15th Street and goes north for two blocks until reaching Arch Street. The Parade turns left onto Arch Street and goes west for one block until reaching the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Parade bears right, going northwest on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for three blocks until reaching Logan Circle. The Parade loops around the southern part of Logan Circle and then continues on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway until it reaches Eakins Oval. The Parade proceeds along the south portion of Eakins Oval finishing in front of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

DINNER OPTIONS:

Upper Bucks –

Maize Restaurant -Perkasie – A real five course meal with some flare. Vegetarian option also available. $65 per person.

The Washington House – Sellersville – This is a great option since you can choose the three course meal or a la carte items.  They will be serving pumpkin soup and roasted duck breast just to name a few!

Indian Rock Inn – Upper Black Eddy – A three course meal with choices of prime rib, glazed ham, stuffed flounder, pecan crusted salmon, ham and turkey combo or the traditional roasted turkey. Adults are $39 and children only $15.

Central Bucks –

Black Bass Hotel – Lumberville – A real Thanksgiving feast with a seven course meal! $49.50 per adult, $30 ages 12-16, $17.50 for ages 2-12, 2 and under free.

Cock n Bull – Lahaska – Enjoy Peddler's Village with a harvest feast buffet! The choices are endless. $28.95 per adult and $13.95 per child. Also check out Sweet Lorraine's buffet menu! Or get take out at Earl's!

Marsha Brown – New Hope – Spice up your Thanksgiving meal with a little gumbo or jambalaya! Marsha Brown is offering some Southern alternates for $49.95 for adults and $15.95 for children.

Town Crier Bakery– Lahaska- When you order any pies to be picked up on Tuesday or Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving 11/22/10 you will be enter in to win Gobbles of Town Crier to be at your holiday feast. One winner on Tuesday and Wednesday . Also, ask about their gorgeous cake centerpieces.

Jamie Hollander – New Hope – Enjoy gourmet tastes at your own table! Their take out menu has three different kinds of turkey to choose from along with apple and cornbread stuffing, triple squash soup, buttermilk pumpkin biscuits, and pumpkin cheesecake!

Lower Bucks –

Buck Hotel – Feasterville – Dinner served family style from 12-6pm with all the traditional fixings. Adults $31.95 and children $15.95.

The Brick Hotel & Restaurant – Newtown – Thanksgiving buffet served from 11:30am-8pm, adults $33.99 and children $19.99. Some of the eats include chilled seafood, southern style green bean casserole and chunky cinnamon apple sauce! You can also get the meal to go for only $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children.

Temperance House – Newtown – Get your feast on with this Thanksgiving buffet. Enjoy all the favorites with a variety of seafood. Adults are $24.95 and children $12.95.