Brining has become a bit of a Thanksgiving buzzword of late and many cooks tout it as the secret to a moist, flavor-packed Thanksgiving turkey. But what, really, does brining mean? Well, there are actually two types of brining–wet and dry. Dry brining is simply rubbing a turkey in a salt and herb mixture and letting it sit (refrigerated of course) for many hours (usually about one hour per pound). It’s somewhat easier and more convenient than the alternative wet option, and advocates insist dry brining makes for a bird with a meatier, firmer texture. Get tips and learn how to avoid mistakes at Shine.

Decorate your home for Thanksgiving with the season’s natural elements—from the farm stand, the grocery store, and even your own backyard. Get decorating ideas including mini pumpkins and gourds, leaves, branches and herbs at Real Simple.

Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year as people head home to family. But why not bypass the stay on Aunt Bea’s sofa for a real vacation? The long weekend presents the perfect opportunity to satisfy your wanderlust. How about Tuscon or Savannah, or Paris, or British Columbia? Get ideas for your Thanksgiving getaway at Kiplinger.com.

Mashed potatoes, savory gravy, sweet potato casserole: everything except the turkey can be made vegetarian for Thanksgiving! Get the recipes for Tofu Turkey and other vegetarian dishes at AllRecipes.com.

Retailers, eager to be the first to draw customers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year, are pulling the equivalent of the Republican primary shuffle by opening earlier and earlier than competitors.

Last year, a few stores, including Toys “R” Us, pushed into Thanksgiving.

But judging from the negative reaction among dedicated Friday after Thanksgiving shoppers on blogs, Twitter and Facebook, the wave of midnight openings this year has crossed a line. [read more at Yahoo! Finance]

The American Farm Bureau Federation is predicting the average 10 person turkey dinner will cost 13 percent more than it did last year. Expect to shell out at least $50 bucks for the average 10 person turkey dinner. That’s the highest price for the holiday meal on record. Get tips on how to save money on Thanksgiving dinner at Shine.

In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days.

Learn more about the Mayflower, the Plymouth Colony, the Pilgrims, and other Thanksgiving facts at History.com.

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Whether you are preparing every course from scratch or hosting a laid-back Thanksgiving potluck, make-ahead recipes are key. Many dishes can be prepared at least a day in advance and simply reheated right before serving. Get recipes for cranberry and orange relish, goat cheese spread, autumn cabbage slaw, spiced sweet potato wedges, cider-roasted vegetables, pumpkin cheesecake, sweet potato pie and other Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts at Real Simple.

No doubt about it: Turkey is the culinary star of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for the quintessential roast turkey or something more unusual, we’ve got the perfect bird for your table. Get recipes for Spice-Rubbed Roast Turkey, Roasted Brine Turkey, Roast Turkey with Brown Sugar and Mustard Glaze and many more at MarthaStewart.com.

Mix and match veggies, potatoes, breads and more for the perfect Thanksgiving feast. Get recipes for cranberry sauce, green bean and sweet potato casseroles, creamed corn, sugar carrots, scalloped potatoes, Southern biscuits and more at the Food Network.