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So who's not celebrating Thanksgiving other than me? (Original Post) cstanleytech Nov 24 OP
When I was a kid i loved ii XanaDUer2 Nov 24 #1
I'm just doing microwave and that's only if I'm in the mood. cstanleytech Nov 24 #2
I've actually micro waved lean cuisine turkey medallions XanaDUer2 Nov 24 #5
Ya, same here though as time went by I had to do the cooking for all of us...now? It's just me. cstanleytech Nov 24 #11
i don't think i'd want to go to a restaurant either orleans Nov 25 #63
Nope 😔 I'll probably just nibble on something and maybe try and read a book but that's about it. cstanleytech Nov 25 #70
i'm sorry. it sounds very lonely and sad. orleans Nov 25 #71
Me. I don't do holidays any more, Ocelot II Nov 24 #3
Sounds like me except no more pets currently I'm hoping to get something eventually though if things work out. cstanleytech Nov 24 #4
I'm hosting 14. Love Thanksgiving! Scrivener7 Nov 24 #6
I always say I won't do it but my grandkids love Thanksgiving and I end up doing it every year. ratchiweenie Nov 25 #53
I like the concept. And one very specific reason I like Thanksgiving is it gives me a reason to carry on traditions Scrivener7 Nov 25 #55
Yes, I love creating traditions!! ratchiweenie Nov 28 #95
I always peachpit24 Nov 24 #7
How to tell us you are a woman without saying you are a woman . . Maru Kitteh Nov 24 #29
Not necessarily Retrograde Nov 28 #100
we don't usually celebrate it mike_c Nov 24 #8
Harvest Festivals predate the USA EX500rider Nov 24 #37
My wife and I don't even celebrate our birthdays or anniversary. Ping Tung Nov 24 #9
Yea I'm vegan so "turkey day" doesn't me shit to me. CousinIT Nov 24 #14
I regard turkey as in the same flavor range as styrofoam. Ping Tung Nov 24 #15
... CousinIT Nov 24 #20
I know Italian Americans who have lasagna instead of turkey. wnylib Nov 25 #42
Pumpkin empanadas are basically pumpkin LeftInTX Nov 25 #61
Interesting. She was from a middle class family in Guadalajara, a city wnylib Nov 25 #75
According to someone on Reddit, pumpkin is LeftInTX Nov 25 #89
My mother came from England, her mother from Ireland. Ping Tung Nov 25 #68
I don't like ritual or tradition. nocoincidences Nov 24 #10
Lol... I Empathize... I Present Me And My Honey's Favorite Christmas Film... MayReasonRule Nov 24 #18
OK, Scrooge. wnylib Nov 25 #43
NO MERRYS!!!!!!!! nocoincidences Nov 25 #50
May you have a grumpy Bah Humbug. wnylib Nov 25 #72
Of course I will. nocoincidences Nov 25 #74
Celebrating! gonna need a diferent word for that in this case. Prairie_Seagull Nov 24 #12
I'm not. I am taking time off work and doing stuff around the house. CousinIT Nov 24 #13
I Declared Every Day Friday And Every Day Thanksgiving And Every Day My Birthday Twenty Years Ago... MayReasonRule Nov 24 #16
I'm retired so I have 6 Saturday's and 1 Sunday...every week..nt mitch96 Nov 24 #24
Me. Since moving to the Southern Hemisphere it doesn't really make sense to have a harvest festival in late Spring. meadowlander Nov 24 #17
You're not alone. Baitball Blogger Nov 24 #19
We're not really celebrating Thanksgiving PJMcK Nov 24 #21
I'm hosting 24+ people Sympthsical Nov 24 #22
24! Now that's impressive! moonscape Nov 24 #39
I did 27 one year, in a very small house Retrograde Nov 28 #102
I feel you Sympthsical Nov 29 #115
Not me LogDog75 Nov 24 #23
nope...nt mitch96 Nov 24 #25
Me. I haven't done so for many years. LoisB Nov 24 #26
Too much "Bah humbug!" Waste no excuse to celebrate this beautiful thing we have called life! Doodley Nov 24 #27
Hear, hear! EX500rider Nov 24 #38
My mom died on Thanksgiving. That was the end of it for me. Haven't been Maru Kitteh Nov 24 #28
So sorry that happened Alice Kramden Nov 25 #87
My father was on the 23rd of Nov. CountAllVotes Nov 28 #103
I understand how much it hurts. I wish it would stop hurting so much, but it never does. Maru Kitteh Nov 28 #109
I find nothing good about it CountAllVotes Nov 28 #112
Sorry to be a Debbie Upper OP but I am single, retired, no kids, 3 sisters either passed or disengaged I will celebrate. wcmagumba Nov 24 #30
Me! And it's a relief. Marigold Nov 24 #31
I've always thought that Thanksgiving is too late in the year wnylib Nov 25 #44
Low key Thanksgiving here i guess. I will celebrate bluestarone Nov 24 #32
Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 24 #33
Doesn't make a bit of difference to me. peacebuzzard Nov 24 #34
We're celebrating... StarryNite Nov 24 #35
It's this week already? DFW Nov 24 #36
Memories... DET Nov 25 #47
The few of my French friends who know enough English to handle that column still love it. DFW Nov 25 #48
Loved Art Buchwald - his column along with .... electric_blue68 Nov 25 #86
I have to work late the night before. Eko Nov 25 #40
Ya, retail sucks as my brother was in it for decades and my sister in-law is still in it but it sucks. cstanleytech Nov 26 #90
My wife and i are going to have a lovely turkey dinner with corn pudding and pumpkin pie onenote Nov 25 #41
Good to have something to look forward to, elleng Nov 25 #77
We will be Meowmee Nov 25 #45
Thanksgiving out of the country ... SomewhereInTheMiddle Nov 25 #46
I'll be doing Chinese after volunteer food basket deliveries. dhol82 Nov 25 #82
I'll be having my Greg_In_SF Nov 25 #49
I'm not celebrating, I'm just going to be eating! Spend some time with family, eat good stuff, sleep it off. mucholderthandirt Nov 25 #51
Who really celebrates it, anyway. It's an excuse to have dinner with some family. But I'd rather have the turkey ... marble falls Nov 25 #52
Celebrating football games.... MiHale Nov 25 #54
Canadians. Also, everybody else not in the United States outside of mahatmakanejeeves Nov 25 #56
I'm doing volunteer food basket delivery. dhol82 Nov 25 #57
Duck.for us Ontheboundry Nov 25 #58
Well me, for one. Batshit_Bruin_CA Nov 25 #59
We did a fakesgiving for family who couldnt be with us on thursday getagrip_already Nov 25 #60
Nope. Definitely celebrating Thanksgiving with my chosen family. It's my favority holiday! beaglelover Nov 25 #62
Mine too! Dulcinea Nov 25 #66
My mother died this year Ex Lurker Nov 25 #64
Brother here in January and my other one always goes out west for a vacation at this time of year for a month😔 cstanleytech Nov 25 #85
Going to be on Amtrak StarlightGold Nov 25 #65
Making the trip to the Mother-in-Laws Happy Hoosier Nov 25 #67
I am, I love the holidays! Elessar Zappa Nov 25 #69
I'm not. It's just me and my cat now. TommieMommy Nov 25 #73
I'll be gathering with a few family members to have Thanksgiving. Xavier Breath Nov 25 #76
After my Mom and Dad passed on, and my sister's daughter wanted to continue the yearly tradition, I told my SWBTATTReg Nov 25 #78
I am 'celebrating' it alone, as has happened in the past few years.... Jack Valentino Nov 25 #79
Same orangecrush Nov 25 #80
Not us either. Instead, we honor the Indigenous people of Turtle Island (now America) on National Day of Mourning OhioBack2Blue Nov 25 #81
I never do Blasphemer Nov 25 #83
Why would I let trump ruin my thanksgiving? Groundhawg Nov 25 #84
we don't do anything fancy -- but a pile of stuffing and cranberry sauce just fit the weather this time of year. cadoman Nov 25 #88
Why would I ever not celebrate it? Blue_Tires Nov 26 #91
Where did I say you should stop⁉️ cstanleytech Nov 26 #93
I'm not even celebrating Christmas arthritisR_US Nov 26 #92
I sadly don't have the energy to do it 😞 cstanleytech Nov 26 #94
Lit the smoker ForgedCrank Nov 28 #96
Yup, when they are gone they are gone so enjoy having them with you while you can. cstanleytech Nov 28 #97
We were trying to celebrate it, then the power went out because of the heavy snow. Vinca Nov 28 #98
I guess I'm not. Mike 03 Nov 28 #99
My husband ordered JustAnotherGen Nov 28 #101
You have my deepest sympathies as I know the feeling and it $##%ing sucks. cstanleytech Nov 28 #107
Thank you JustAnotherGen Nov 28 #108
We celebrate on Saturday Retrograde Nov 28 #104
I went with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a cold can of coke zero. cstanleytech Nov 28 #111
My family is all over the map. We move holidays instead of holidays moving us. usonian Nov 28 #105
I usually drive out of town to be with friends jmbar2 Nov 28 #106
I was in Paris for work all day DFW Nov 28 #110
Not a thing in our household. I've studied Native Americans enough RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Nov 28 #113
I had plans, but I was snowed in. Rhiannon12866 Nov 29 #114

XanaDUer2

(14,941 posts)
1. When I was a kid i loved ii
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:52 PM
Nov 24

Invited lonely neighbor s. This year, local church bringing meals on the day

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
2. I'm just doing microwave and that's only if I'm in the mood.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:53 PM
Nov 24

Simply no where for me to go other than one of the restaurants that'll be open and not in the mood for that.

XanaDUer2

(14,941 posts)
5. I've actually micro waved lean cuisine turkey medallions
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:58 PM
Nov 24

And bought a pumpkin pie. My mom would do a whole turkey homemade stuffing, homemade gravy everything.

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
11. Ya, same here though as time went by I had to do the cooking for all of us...now? It's just me.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:22 PM
Nov 24

orleans

(35,494 posts)
63. i don't think i'd want to go to a restaurant either
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 12:06 PM
Nov 25

although a good friend of mine and his husband have done that for years on thanksgiving.

but to go alone? i couldn't do it.

i'm sorry you have no one to have dinner with. not even neighbors?

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
70. Nope 😔 I'll probably just nibble on something and maybe try and read a book but that's about it.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 03:03 PM
Nov 25

orleans

(35,494 posts)
71. i'm sorry. it sounds very lonely and sad.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 03:14 PM
Nov 25

i wish it could be a better day for you.
holidays can be tough enuf all on their own.

i'll be thinking of you
and, in spite of the holiday, we'll be checking in and around.
talk to us.
and take care.

Ocelot II

(122,320 posts)
3. Me. I don't do holidays any more,
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:54 PM
Nov 24

since I have hardly any family left and the remaining ones tend to ignore me because they always make more interesting holiday plans. So it will be me and the cat, as it's been for many years. I don't even like turkey, though I might buy myself a pumpkin pie.

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
4. Sounds like me except no more pets currently I'm hoping to get something eventually though if things work out.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 01:54 PM
Nov 24

ratchiweenie

(7,982 posts)
53. I always say I won't do it but my grandkids love Thanksgiving and I end up doing it every year.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:15 AM
Nov 25

I must admit, once I start the planning I do get into it.

Scrivener7

(53,666 posts)
55. I like the concept. And one very specific reason I like Thanksgiving is it gives me a reason to carry on traditions
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:19 AM
Nov 25

my grandmothers taught me, and remember those two ladies with joy.

Maybe someday, your grandkids will do the same.

I like passing that stuff down and around. And I want to be around people I love, and I want to do for them right now.

peachpit24

(77 posts)
7. I always
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:07 PM
Nov 24

Had to do all the work. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, plus I worked 3rd shift. I don't celebrate any more. I'm ok with a small meal by myself.

Maru Kitteh

(29,409 posts)
29. How to tell us you are a woman without saying you are a woman . .
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 04:01 PM
Nov 24

Let me just say, AMEN SISTER! We hear you.

Retrograde

(10,834 posts)
100. Not necessarily
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:26 PM
Nov 28

Mr. Retrograde does a large part of the cleaning and shopping, and most of the turkey day cooking, while I make the stuff that can be done in advance and iron the table linens and do the last-minute picking up. And I make stock from the remains and can it the next day.

Ping Tung

(1,567 posts)
9. My wife and I don't even celebrate our birthdays or anniversary.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:14 PM
Nov 24

Last edited Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Hating turkey makes it easier.

CousinIT

(10,736 posts)
14. Yea I'm vegan so "turkey day" doesn't me shit to me.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:40 PM
Nov 24

I wouldn't eat 99% of what's for dinner anyway.

wnylib

(25,183 posts)
42. I know Italian Americans who have lasagna instead of turkey.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 02:24 AM
Nov 25

And Mexican Americans who prefer tamales, enchiladas, or mole (pronounced mo-lay). And flan, which I love.

Several years ago, I had a Mexican woman as an ESL student. She had just arrived in the US after marrying an American man who met her while he was visiting Mexico.

When I explained Thanksgiving and the traditional foods, she said that she had never had pumpkin pie and would not know how to make one for her American husband and his elderly mother who did not cook much any more. So I made one for her. She worried that she might not like it, but I said that it was so traditional that her that her husband and his mother would eat it. She was skeptical, but later reported with some surprise (she didn't believe me?) that they were happy to see it and finished it off in two days while she only had a small taste.



LeftInTX

(31,795 posts)
61. Pumpkin empanadas are basically pumpkin
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 11:41 AM
Nov 25

filled turnovers. Not as rich as pie, but similar.
They're available at any bakery here year round. I assume they're also popular in Mexico. Pumpkin is the most common filling.

wnylib

(25,183 posts)
75. Interesting. She was from a middle class family in Guadalajara, a city
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:11 PM
Nov 25

In western Mexico, population around 1,400,000 in a larger metropolitan area. So maybe it was a regional thing? This was back in the early 1990s.

Not only had she never had pumpkin pie, but she thought it was strange to eat pumpkin anything. Her idea of filling for empanadas was seafood or beef with a meal or a sweet dessert filling like custard or fruit.




LeftInTX

(31,795 posts)
89. According to someone on Reddit, pumpkin is
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 11:36 PM
Nov 25

popular in northern and western Mexico.

It's pretty much ubiquitous at all grocery stores and bakeries in South Texas, including Walmart.

Other fillings are pineapple, apple and strawberry. (I pass on those)

Also very popular and very delicious is cajeta. (Caramel sauce) The caramel has its own pastry dough. You can buy them fresh made at Mexican bakeries. Mass produced mini cajeta empanadas are prepackaged at gas stations. (Often the filling is scant in the prepackaged ones)

Ping Tung

(1,567 posts)
68. My mother came from England, her mother from Ireland.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 01:40 PM
Nov 25

I learned that Irish cooking seemed to consist of putting everything handy and attainable in a pot of water and then boiling it until all flavor was removed.

I'm the cook here because my wife also came from an Irish American family. She has learned that herbs and spices add flavor to food. I generally like cooking and exploring international food. Chinese, Indian, Mexican, African, etc.
We've had Curry, Enchiladas, Spring Rolls, etc on holidays. I'm thinking Curry on this Thanksgiving. But, I must admit that pumpkin pie is irresistible .

nocoincidences

(2,363 posts)
10. I don't like ritual or tradition.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:17 PM
Nov 24

I've been fighting with Christmas zealots for decades who insist I am not serious and keep trying to suck me into it.

NO! I mean no, really!!!!

MayReasonRule

(2,027 posts)
18. Lol... I Empathize... I Present Me And My Honey's Favorite Christmas Film...
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:52 PM
Nov 24
"I don't want any trouble... So I'm just gonna' scooch up that chimney..."


nocoincidences

(2,363 posts)
74. Of course I will.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:03 PM
Nov 25

I have been practicing for many decades.

And may you enjoy the holidays in whatever way you choose, or choose not.

Prairie_Seagull

(3,894 posts)
12. Celebrating! gonna need a diferent word for that in this case.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:32 PM
Nov 24

All democrats and 2 indies but I am working on those two. Will be interesting to feel the tone of the room. If I have to do my dancing monkey routine. When I start early with bringing out drinks and entertaining folks, well then it's going to be a long night.

Best wishes to everyone.

CousinIT

(10,736 posts)
13. I'm not. I am taking time off work and doing stuff around the house.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:39 PM
Nov 24

I am catching up with chores and minor things on my to-do list.

MayReasonRule

(2,027 posts)
16. I Declared Every Day Friday And Every Day Thanksgiving And Every Day My Birthday Twenty Years Ago...
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:45 PM
Nov 24

That way I'm on point at least once a week while staying grateful every new day with which I am 're-born'...

Don't let the bastards get ya' down...

Seize your day in your own way and laissez les bon temps rouler!

meadowlander

(4,787 posts)
17. Me. Since moving to the Southern Hemisphere it doesn't really make sense to have a harvest festival in late Spring.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:52 PM
Nov 24

I tried the first few years but who wants to be stuck inside all day with the oven on when it's 80 degrees out?

So I've flipped my holidays around so they follow the season better. I do still do a turkey feast/harvest thing/"thanksgiving" in May but next weekend is my weekend to celebrate getting my garden planted for the year. So I'm doing a mini-road trip, getting some fish and chips, and hanging out at the beach.

PJMcK

(23,228 posts)
21. We're not really celebrating Thanksgiving
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 02:54 PM
Nov 24

My wife will be a character actor on a major float in the Macy's parade this year for her 25th appearance. Her day begins at 5:00 am and they're usually finished by noon. For her, it's difficult (hard to see out of the costumes), tiring and uncomfortable if it rains or snows. Still, she has a blast and it's a good gig for her.

This year, a friend of ours got hired to be another character on the float so the two of them will come to our apartment after the parade where I will have been cooking a traditional turkey dinner. The only thing we're celebrating is our friendships, the meal and their parade gig!

I also like having a four-day weekend!

Sympthsical

(10,411 posts)
22. I'm hosting 24+ people
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 03:00 PM
Nov 24

Which is . . . a project.

But I get a week's worth of lumpia and halo halo after, so I've made my peace with it.

I know where my starbread is buttered.

Retrograde

(10,834 posts)
102. I did 27 one year, in a very small house
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:31 PM
Nov 28

It wasn't going to be that many, but some people wanted to bring their mothers (which was fine - after dinner they grabbed the leftover bottles of wine, went into the kitchen, and washed all the dishes - or a lot of them). When people asked what they could bring, we told them we needed tables, chairs, and forks - we had enough plates even if they didn't match.

Sympthsical

(10,411 posts)
115. I feel you
Fri Nov 29, 2024, 05:33 AM
Nov 29

My in-laws are a large family who are extremely tight knit and all live in the area. Just as a baseline, you have the two parents who had four kids with 10 grandkids. So once you blend in spouses, step-kids, the kids' boy or girlfriends, etc, it's like just try doing anything with less than 20 people. Mix in that various aunts and uncles and associated cousins also live nearby, and you have a small corporation being managed.

When we got the house and started hosting, we learned real fast. There's a spare room downstairs, and it's literally just where we store chairs. Like some sort of large closet you'd see at a banquet hall. There's cabinets in the laundry room that are just paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, solo cups, etc.

Early on, I got caught out once not having things on hand. Once. Never again, lol.

LogDog75

(250 posts)
23. Not me
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 03:15 PM
Nov 24

Most holidays are made up to celebrate something that historical fact does not support. The real story of the first Thanksgiving doesn't, IMO, warrant making it a holiday. I know others celebrate the holiday and I don't hold it against them.

The real problem of holidays is the meaning of the holiday has given way to commercialization rather than the reason for the holiday. I prefer there be "bank holidays" like they have in England. It's not for a specific reason but just a day off from work. I makes more sense to me. And yes, they do commercialize bank holidays.

Doodley

(10,458 posts)
27. Too much "Bah humbug!" Waste no excuse to celebrate this beautiful thing we have called life!
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 03:48 PM
Nov 24

Maru Kitteh

(29,409 posts)
28. My mom died on Thanksgiving. That was the end of it for me. Haven't been
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 03:54 PM
Nov 24

a fan of Thanksgiving since I was a little kid anyway. Mom passing on that day marked the end of me finding any joy in this Holiday.







CountAllVotes

(21,170 posts)
103. My father was on the 23rd of Nov.
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:35 PM
Nov 28

He was the cook.

After he died, there were no more Thanksgivings to be had.



Maru Kitteh

(29,409 posts)
109. I understand how much it hurts. I wish it would stop hurting so much, but it never does.
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 09:15 PM
Nov 28

Or it hasn’t yet. I’m trying to find the gratitude in feeling the loss but I’m afraid I’m not big enough for that.

CountAllVotes

(21,170 posts)
112. I find nothing good about it
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 11:40 PM
Nov 28

After Dad died, that was THE END.

He was the glue the held the dysfunctional family somewhat in place.

I'll never get over it, never.

I will be glad when the "holidays" are over.

He was my Santa Claus and everything else of that nature that existed in my life.

Done and gone, all of it now.

I had some dinner and cleaned my teeth. I'm done for the night I do believe.



wcmagumba

(3,418 posts)
30. Sorry to be a Debbie Upper OP but I am single, retired, no kids, 3 sisters either passed or disengaged I will celebrate.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 04:07 PM
Nov 24

Just me but have my pick up order for local grocery sorted and already have a bone in turkey breast. I will make the works for myself and enjoy it all with some Macy's Christmas Parade and football/Christmas Story movie and other...Usually do this and like it fine....

Marigold

(223 posts)
31. Me! And it's a relief.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 04:07 PM
Nov 24

Tired of cooking and the obligation. We are driving to Canada, eating some Asian food, and maybe a movie. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October, so it is just another day there.

wnylib

(25,183 posts)
44. I've always thought that Thanksgiving is too late in the year
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 02:33 AM
Nov 25

for a harvest festival. Should be mid October, or at least earlier in November.

Response to cstanleytech (Original post)

peacebuzzard

(5,308 posts)
34. Doesn't make a bit of difference to me.
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 04:42 PM
Nov 24

I am primarily veg/vegan/and occasionally pescatarian-lacto-ovo.
So my diet rarely changes; I love a festive risotto, however, and if I am home I will make one for Thanksgiving.

DFW

(57,064 posts)
36. It's this week already?
Sun Nov 24, 2024, 05:08 PM
Nov 24

Wow, I guess it is.

We always put on a big Thanksgiving Dinner for our German friends and a few from bordering countries (A, NL), about 20 in all.

We just couldn’t manage it on time this year because we are baby-sitting for our grandchildren in the Taunus Hills while our two daughters are celebrating the 50th birthday of one of their men out in the Indian Ocean.

But, since Thanksgiving is, as an old friend named Art Buchwald once put it, “the one time of year when Americans eat better than the French do,” neither we nor our friends wish to do without it. Ergo, we are doing it a week later. Since it isn’t a holiday here in the first place, no one gets the day(s) off anyway, so no one cares that it’s week later as long as it happens. So, it will.

DET

(1,791 posts)
47. Memories...
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 03:32 AM
Nov 25

Since you mentioned Art Buchwald and Thanksgiving…this will sound terribly pretentious, but that brings back memories of a seminar in France a million years ago when we were required to analyze Buchwald’s famous Thanksgiving column (University of Grenoble or the Sorbonne - can’t remember which). Haven’t thought about that in years.

DFW

(57,064 posts)
48. The few of my French friends who know enough English to handle that column still love it.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 04:38 AM
Nov 25

Art's humor was one of a kind. My dad knew him well, I met him a few times. Everybody loved Art except Nixon and the airline companies. He spared them no mercy.

electric_blue68

(19,508 posts)
86. Loved Art Buchwald - his column along with ....
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 10:28 PM
Nov 25

Pete Hammil, Mary McGrory, Jimmy Breslin, and Murray Kempton all appeared in the originally Liberal NY Post back in the late '60s till it changed.


Enjoy yours a week late. 👍

Eko

(8,773 posts)
40. I have to work late the night before.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 01:17 AM
Nov 25

So I'll sleep late, get up, cook for myself and go to bed early cause I have to back in work real early the next day for at least a 12 hr day.
I could cook a nice meal, but I can always cook a nice meal if I want it. I could call my one brother that talks to me, his sons and my Uncle but they would all just tell me they wish I could have come down for thanksgiving. I did that one year, got off at midnight, drove over 4 hours and got there went to sleep, woke up at 12, went to thanksgiving dinner at my uncles with them, left at about 5pm, drove home and got there about 10. Went to sleep and woke up at 5am to go to work. I did the same thing for Christmas. I got gifts for everyone and got a 10$ gas station gift card from my uncle. My brother that didn't even show up got tons of gifts from everyone. I would have been happy with just cards but I sat there while everyone made a big deal out of every present with my 10$ gift card smiling the whole time. "Alright Uncle Sam who is that one from? Oh bill! OK open it!!! Ahh look at that!, isn't that nice!!!!!" and round and round for everybody. Almost everybody. I left around 7pm that night and didn't get home till midnight and had to be up at 5am to go to work. That was my last Christmas with my Mom. She died the next year. I went to the funeral but I haven't been back. With all that being said I wont call them so they can tell me they wish I could be there. They wont call me, they wont text me. I'll just text them. So I'll work late the night before, sleep in some, cook dinner and go to sleep early and go to work early. I wont even get an extra day off that week cause, salaried retail. They will just make me work one of my days off to make up for it. To answer your question I'll try. I always try. I'll do the same for Christmas.
Eko.

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
90. Ya, retail sucks as my brother was in it for decades and my sister in-law is still in it but it sucks.
Tue Nov 26, 2024, 12:38 AM
Nov 26

Hell, Walmart for a few years literally forced my sister-in-law to work on Thanksgiving day for a few years and she's a cake decorator.

onenote

(44,907 posts)
41. My wife and i are going to have a lovely turkey dinner with corn pudding and pumpkin pie
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 01:25 AM
Nov 25

with the family of a neighbor who is very active in the local Democratic party and who I worked with at the polls on election day.

Unlike a lot of the defeatism that i see here -- and I get that a lot of people are hurting because of the results -- my neighbor and I have moved past that and are already discussing the fact that here in Virginia, we have another election next November -- one in which we need to make an all out effort not only to retain control of the state legislature, but to retake the Governorship. Youngkin is term-limited but his ally, the Lt. Gov. is running to succeed him and we need to defeat her, and soundly, not only as a repudiation of Youngkin but also as a major morale booster for Democrats not only in Virginia, but elsewhere.

elleng

(137,575 posts)
77. Good to have something to look forward to,
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:29 PM
Nov 25

been hoping for Spanberger for a long time.

Meowmee

(6,511 posts)
45. We will be
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 02:40 AM
Nov 25

As usual. Now it is just me, brother and my 3 sweet boy cats. The cats love turkey day… however I have hurt my back when cleaning up leaves and I’m not sure how bad it is yet. I may have to get a scan. So it may have to be some frozen pizza made with cauliflower and rice crust that I can eat. So delicious . And various other things.

46. Thanksgiving out of the country ...
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 03:09 AM
Nov 25

In the early 1990's I first met my wife (American) when we were both teaching English in Japan. We sort of got together for the first time at a massive foreigner Thanksgiving do that had more Canadians and Australians than Americans present. But it was great fun.

A couple of years ago we spent Thanksgiving on an Italian cruise ship in the western Med. The buffet had a few "traditional" dishes in acknowledgement of the small percentage of American passengers.

This year we are in Rwanda, and I am not sure I even get the day off work, though I am working for an American university. We are also moving house on that day. So, no plans to celebrate Thanksgiving, though we are thankful for many things.

If you don't want to cook, I suggest trying an ethnic restaurant from a country that does not celebrate the holiday. We had Chicken Korma one year at a mostly empty Indian place. It tasted great!

Greg_In_SF

(140 posts)
49. I'll be having my
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 05:05 AM
Nov 25

Brother and Sister-In-Law over for Thanksgiving. No Turkey, but I'll be grilling steaks and asparagus and they will be bringing sides.

We all lost all of our parents in the past year, so we're all we've got left.

mucholderthandirt

(1,257 posts)
51. I'm not celebrating, I'm just going to be eating! Spend some time with family, eat good stuff, sleep it off.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:11 AM
Nov 25

I don't celebrate holidays that are harmful to other people, like Columbus Day, or Thanksgiving. I call the first Cultural Annihilation Day, actually, and have for decades.

marble falls

(62,785 posts)
52. Who really celebrates it, anyway. It's an excuse to have dinner with some family. But I'd rather have the turkey ...
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:15 AM
Nov 25

... in July.

MiHale

(11,073 posts)
54. Celebrating football games....
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:16 AM
Nov 25

Family thanksgiving get togethers faded as everyone got older. We gather at different times of the year leaving the holidays to the amateurs.

mahatmakanejeeves

(62,335 posts)
56. Canadians. Also, everybody else not in the United States outside of
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:21 AM
Nov 25

personnel associated with military installations overseas.

dhol82

(9,473 posts)
57. I'm doing volunteer food basket delivery.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:23 AM
Nov 25

Have done this for about eight years.
Afterwards, we go for Chinese to celebrate.

Ontheboundry

(305 posts)
58. Duck.for us
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:27 AM
Nov 25

We never can finish all the turkey meat so we just buy a duck (three of us).and make the sides. Then football games, naps and seconds

Batshit_Bruin_CA

(66 posts)
59. Well me, for one.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 10:17 AM
Nov 25

Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2024, 03:11 AM - Edit history (3)

But yes, I am going to take a few quiet moments with my coffee each morning to be grateful for what I do have, aside from way too much solitude
Still have a job. Roof overhead (just moved Oct. 15, most boxes not unpacked).
Still have my 9- year old, sweet black Lab mix (altho I had to rehome the 14-year old yellow Lab with a senior rescue who can take care of his medical needs).
And I should be able to just barely make a large tax payment due in Mid- December (using creative payment shifting to credit cards).
Grateful for- and concerned for- my sister who is a 7-hour drive away, but very busy taking care of her husband of 47 years who has heart disease, diabetes, multiple myeloma, and who is mostly bed-bound now after several hospital stays this last year.
And so that brings me to being grateful for my relative health for my age, mostly functional aches and pains, nothing serious.

getagrip_already

(17,619 posts)
60. We did a fakesgiving for family who couldnt be with us on thursday
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 10:40 AM
Nov 25

We are going out of town to family for the real tday, so we did a prequal for close family who wont be traveling. Plus it was our twins bday.

So three days of overeating. Now thre days to recover then another feast.

Then comes xmas.

Then new years.

Then the end of the world as we know it.

Dulcinea

(7,726 posts)
66. Mine too!
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 12:53 PM
Nov 25

I'll do what I always do: eat a lot & watch football. And spend time with my husband & college kids.

Ex Lurker

(3,929 posts)
64. My mother died this year
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 12:19 PM
Nov 25

My dad wants to have a normal Thanksgiving so I'll try to rally for his sake.

cstanleytech

(27,287 posts)
85. Brother here in January and my other one always goes out west for a vacation at this time of year for a month😔
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 09:04 PM
Nov 25

So, since he decided to still go that leaves me alone 😔

StarlightGold

(367 posts)
65. Going to be on Amtrak
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 12:32 PM
Nov 25

heading to Boston. I've never been there, so I thought, what am I waiting for? Had the kids over on Sunday for an early Holiday get together.
It will be nice two play two Arlo Guthrie tunes on that day.

Alice's Restaurant because...Thanksgiving.

City of New Orleans because I'm a'ridin' cross country on a train.

Happy Hoosier

(8,652 posts)
67. Making the trip to the Mother-in-Laws
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 01:02 PM
Nov 25

Been going there for 20 years (with just a few missed years).

I usually cook the Turkey (I cook a pretty great turkey if I do say so myself!)

It's a long-standing tradition. And this will be the last year at her house. She is 92 (almost 93) and will be moving to an assisted care facility early in the new year. So this is the last Thanksgiving and Christmas here... at least while she is the owner. Her son, my awful Brother-in-Law, is buying the house from her living trust. So, I dunno... maybe we go there next year, but I hope not. That dude is a shitty human being. But I'm glad he's buying the house. It'll greatly simplify things when it comes time to settle her estate (a morbid thought, but necessary at this point).

In any case, I'll enjoy cooking the turkey there one more time.

Xavier Breath

(5,258 posts)
76. I'll be gathering with a few family members to have Thanksgiving.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:14 PM
Nov 25

This year's meal follows not just dipshit's reelection, but the end of my marriage and the death of my Mom back in the spring.

Damn right we're going to stuff our faces and watch football.

SWBTATTReg

(24,604 posts)
78. After my Mom and Dad passed on, and my sister's daughter wanted to continue the yearly tradition, I told my
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:39 PM
Nov 25

sister that NO, we didn't want to do this anymore. We're tired of the driving 6 hours one way, and then 6 back, for every holiday. And she agreed! Nice. So now, we go to our favorite Chinese buffet, and gorge ourselves w/ our fave Chinese dishes. It's heaven on Earth, and we enjoy it! Been doing it for years.

Jack Valentino

(1,601 posts)
79. I am 'celebrating' it alone, as has happened in the past few years....
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:46 PM
Nov 25

Since my father passed, I have received no invitations from siblings or anyone else---
but when covid was raging I would not have gone there anyway...

On Thursday I will have chicken in some form (haven't decided yet, but I don't care for turkey),
my choice of 'sides', and some cheap beer....


I wouldn't call it a 'celebration' per se, but the night will be
just a little special, for me alone--- as far as the menu is concerned.

Probably hunt for a favorite DVD movie or two...


OhioBack2Blue

(44 posts)
81. Not us either. Instead, we honor the Indigenous people of Turtle Island (now America) on National Day of Mourning
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 08:01 PM
Nov 25

We light a candle. Have a simple meal.
We take time to acknowledge and respect the land we occupy, as part of the ancestral territory of Indigenous peoples.

We stopped celebrating Christ mass about 15 years ago. One of the best things we ever did. The time is so much more peaceful and pleasant just enjoying the good company of friends and engaging conversation over a meal.

Blasphemer

(3,292 posts)
83. I never do
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 08:14 PM
Nov 25

Firstly, I am an immigrant so it's pretty meaningless to me. Second, my indigenous friends call it their last supper.

cadoman

(1,046 posts)
88. we don't do anything fancy -- but a pile of stuffing and cranberry sauce just fit the weather this time of year.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 10:43 PM
Nov 25

When else are you gonna get cranberries like we have now?

ForgedCrank

(2,477 posts)
96. Lit the smoker
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 12:25 PM
Nov 28

early this morning, people starting to trickle in already.
Family and friends mean everything to me, they are the single most important thing is life and I won't sacrifice that for anything. I am very thankful to have them.

Vinca

(51,439 posts)
98. We were trying to celebrate it, then the power went out because of the heavy snow.
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 03:06 PM
Nov 28

The generator is definitely downsizing the meal. Oh, well, it's not like much has gone right this November.

Mike 03

(17,897 posts)
99. I guess I'm not.
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 03:09 PM
Nov 28

I've spent the entire day reading the news and ruminating, and talking to my mom on the phone. She's also reading the news and ruminating. We ruminated on the phone together for about an hour. Then I went back to reading the news and ruminating.

I had some constructive things planned--like reading, etc... But they are not happening.

JustAnotherGen

(34,099 posts)
101. My husband ordered
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:30 PM
Nov 28

A la carte from Maggianos, set the table for just the two of us.

My mom died suddenly in early June and my heart wasn't in it this year.

She always came down for Thanksgiving.

I started crying because she wasn't in her chair so he moved us back into the kitchen bar.

JustAnotherGen

(34,099 posts)
108. Thank you
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:50 PM
Nov 28

Couldn't even watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We always watched it growing up. She grew up in California and always wanted to take the train into the city, see the Rockettes, then watch the parade.

The year my dad died - my husband and me brought her down from NJ and we did just that.

So that was a no no today too.

Retrograde

(10,834 posts)
104. We celebrate on Saturday
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:36 PM
Nov 28

a custom we started when we were both working and it was easier to do all the prep and much of the cooking on Friday rather than rush to get it done after work on Wednesday. We're having a largish gathering on Saturday - tonight it's just the two of us. Lamb chops, steamed broccoli, some sort of potato, poached pears with ice cream.

And hopefully, I'll be over this cold by Saturday.

usonian

(15,333 posts)
105. My family is all over the map. We move holidays instead of holidays moving us.
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:40 PM
Nov 28

Besides, I'm a Time Lord anyway!

jmbar2

(6,362 posts)
106. I usually drive out of town to be with friends
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 08:40 PM
Nov 28

Didn't feel like going anywhere, particularly driving 4 hours each way. Staying home with absolutely no agenda felt luxurious. The local jazz station KMHD has played nonstop great music with no talking all day. The sun was out, and I just lazed around.

I miss seeing friends, but this felt good.

DFW

(57,064 posts)
110. I was in Paris for work all day
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 09:18 PM
Nov 28

My "Thanksgiving dinner" was a reheated Chicken Tikka Massala from the Indian place about 200 meters from my Paris office. My guy there knew I was on a tight schedule, so he got it for me, and I wolfed it down about ten minutes before I had to leave for my train back to Sprout City, where I am now.

113. Not a thing in our household. I've studied Native Americans enough
Thu Nov 28, 2024, 11:49 PM
Nov 28

to know the real history of this land. The official meat of thanksgiving should be bologna. And don't get me started on Black Friday.

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