lje62

This year it will be husband and I , and two of our daughters. One of them changed her mind last minute and decided to come home. My oldest has decided to go to closest family , which is my mother's. She is a foody and wants to make most of the dinner , but won't arrive until Wed night..she is sad to no t be home with us and also sad because my mother bought a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey and she really wants real gravy. The rest of my extended family is fractured and all complaining about the drama ( my sister has the worst daughter in laws ever and they make holidays tense to put it mildly ) Every year , I hear the same thing about how they will come to my house next year because we eat well and relax...no drama, no excessive drinking and no black Friday shopping frenzy.....not holding my breath

dragonmom

Sadly, maybe only H, me and S. His girlfriend works in retail and will be overseeing the evening shopping hours that many stores will be offering.
Usually we have out of town family and friends, this year is just the Perfect Un-Storm. Everyone who usually comes will be elsewhere.... One on a cruise, one with kids across the country, one with medical problems, one at child's "Meet the parents" w/ significant other, one saying "Well, since you will be here for Christmas...". Daughters out of town also doing the "but you will be here for Christmas" thing plus they have little time off.
I'm really having a hard time with this. I have cooked a big turkey for the last 35 years. I love setting 16 place settings and polishing silver and finding a great new recipe and really being thankful for family, friends and God's grace. Not sure how to scale it back to a few people.
Lje, maybe you could come to our house...
Thought seriously about going out of town but H doesn't like the idea of driving several hours after work on Wednesday.

pageagain

Cbreeze, It's great that since your SIL is canadian your daughter is likely to celebrate Thanksgiving with your every year. Do they go to Canada for Canadian Thanksgiving? Is your daughter's holiday season now October- January!?! Awesome , depending.

pageagain

I used to not care about missing/working holidays and since I am away from family and friends I don't see them that often to begin with. But after reading this thread I am ( not sure what I feel, but maybe annoyed? slightly upset?) about missing every holiday with my family this year! I think it is a fleeting feeling but still annoying. I didn't decorate last year but might this year even if I only celebrate the commercial aspects of Christmas!

wis75

Moved to Florida from Wisconsin in June. Planning the house renovations (1980's blush PINK-counters, cabinets, wallpaper et al) to begin AFTER Thanksgiving, likely done in January. Son booked his flight here in early July for a few days at Thanksgiving. We have the D of someone from H's old workplace here for several weeks- she and her mom, sister are coming for a few days away at the beach- may or may not travel back for dinner. MIL arrived since her D had a chance to go away on a trip- she'll stay to see our son and be here for Thanksgiving.

In December two separate old friends of H's plan trips to Florida since their kids (and grandchildren) have Disney plans- we're an hour and a half away, nothing compared to thousand(s). No holidays in December for us and no kitchen. But will be good to see the people. Excuses not to cook then (outdoor electric grill and bar sink, bathroom plus good weather). Of course plans made after committed to kitchen et al renovations- won't delay them any longer as there could always be a reason to do so- and did I mention the PINK theme (including 25 year old carpet)?

Our Thanksgiving has forever included fowl and vegetarian main dishes to accomodate Indian vegetarians and my wish for chicken (not fond of turkey) along with everyone's favorites- means plenty of food (I like to cook and this is an excuse to do so for more than the two of us). Historically we have often invited people over- a day or three's notice in several cases. This year will likely be only four of us, but we have also used the good china et al for just the three of us. Son will get to see his parents' retirement home (only minimal childhood stuff of his on a closet shelf). Could end up inviting some neighbors without close relatives- the more the merrier. No food rules except to have favorites including two kinds of canned cranberry sauce (his and hers preferences), stuffing (Stove Top) for me, yams/sweet potatoes for H, whole green beans for me, pumpkin pie (FF Cool Whip)- not shy about taking shortcuts. NO red cabbage or Jello salad from childhood days. No turkey usually (an exception was made when son won a fresh one at a Turkey Trot that morning a couple of years ago- didn't have its weight and already had prepped Cornish game hens for several of the guests and us).

When we were first married we went to a restaurant with an elderly lady H knew (and who had invited him before as a bachelor without in country family then). I also remember getting to eat the free hospital spread when on call as a resident- better than eating alone. The best part about Thanksgiving is that it is a secular, national holiday- everyone in this country has it in common and most try to be inclusive regardless of relationships.