I always think that Thanksgiving is a very Apartment Therapy-ish holiday - a day that is centered around appreciating what you have and celebrating home, regardless of whether it's in the actual physical space or simply with people that make us feel safe and happy. Last November on this day, I shared some wonderful reader Thanksgiving stories and this year, I'm following up with more, this time with a focus on some less-traditional ways to enjoy the day. Have fun reading them, share your own memories and traditions in the comments and know that all of us at Apartment Therapy wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
In my first year in grad. school, I was complaining before class to classmates that my husband and I (we had been married for 9 months at the time and were only 22 ) would not be able to go home for Thanksgiving for the first time, due to distance, time, and the amount of work we had to do. The professor overheard and said to me in a very stern voice--"wherever you are and people you care for are, that is your home and that is where you should spend Thanksgiving."It completely changed the way I thought about holidays. We are where we are, and the holidays are what we make of them, alone, together, with family, whatever. Since that time (over 30 years ago), my husband and I have spent Thanksgivings with family, friends, with each other, with strangers, and alone (we have spent two years living apart due to job issues). Each has had its own tone and joys. One of the things I think we can all learn is how to be grateful for just being, whatever the situation we find ourselves in. - kariwk
When I first moved to the LA area it was right before the holidays and I was, of course, alone. Even though I don't have a dog, I went to the dog beach in Huntington Beach on Thanksgiving and Christmas and watched the pooches play in the water. There were a lot of people and dogs there and watching the dogs play put me in a very good mood. - lbc
When I was in grade school, my dad taught for a semester at the University of London. For Thanksgiving, my mom took my sister and me to the basement food court of Harrods to shop for hot dogs, the most American food we could think of and the only place we knew of that sold such exotic fare. It was 25 years ago, and we still talk about it every Thanksgiving. - eliz
The nice thing about Thanksgiving is that it's so much easier to share with friends. I'd say start the day by participating in your local Turkey Trot 5K and then find some other friends who are also not with family on T-day to share a meal with, whether it's traditional turkey or something totally different. Add lots of wine and you'll have a great day. - LSUgrad03
There are some things even being in a different state can't take away from my tradition, such as the annual Thanksgiving re-listen of Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant". While my family never does it because the guys are all about football, I really enjoyed my best friend's tradition of going to a movie. After all that food, there really isn't the energy to do much else, and when better to hit the cinema? - bodicegoddess
I love morning bike rides or runs, followed by a warm shower and getting clean. Then the Macy's parade while I cook whatever I've told friends I would bring, and for most years since college, I've been having Thanksgiving with friends, being invited to other people's thanksgivings. I love it. - Bee T
Break out the board games and the bubbly - one of my favorite Thanksgivings was me, my friend Abby and my Dad like little orphans at a horrible chain restaurant followed by a few friends wandering in later that night to get completely trashed playing Trivial Pursuit. Life isn't always a Hallmark card but with the right "oh what the hell" spirit, it is always an adventure! - Keough
The last two years I've gone to national parks to camp. They're empty except for international tourists on Thanksgiving! And being in nature makes it easy to celebrate "Buy Nothing Day" on Friday. - april_in_autumn
We've been doing the same thing year in and year out (at least 25 years, longer than I've been alive) but our family loves it and it never gets boring. We pack 30 people into my aunt's 200 year old farm house, and our meal is pot-luck style! We have too many people to sit at the table and eat, so we're casual and go back to the couch, or kitchen counter, or game room, or floor, or wherever we find a flat space to park it. It sounds uncivilized, but it's fun, and I get stressed out by stuffy holidays in my Sunday best, so I really love our casual Thanksgiving (in jeans, of course). - MissMeaghan
For the past couple of Thanksgivings I spend part of the day getting a jump on what little Christmas shopping I have to do. Some stores are open and there aren't masses of people. Then I take it easy on Black Friday, treat myself to a manicure or a movie or a nice meal. - tahitianpearl
I think volunteering is the ultimate way to show your thanks-- giving to others. - tr6varrati
I moved away from my family in 2008 and have made it a tradition to take a trip every Thanksgiving to somewhere nearby (within a one day drive) and new to me. This makes the holiday special and something to look forward to! In the past 3 years I have visited New York City, Baltimore, and Chicago for Thanksgiving. All trips were with friends/SO and all were done on a very limited budget. - Lucy Lamare
When living in the UK I decided a traditional Thanksgiving dinner would cure my homesickness. In addition to the 6 guests I was intending, at least a dozen others were invited by my well-meaning (non-cooking) bf. It was noisy, crowded, not enough seating, more food than a small army could eat, and everyone loved it...exactly like Thanksgiving at home. I admit there were tears on the day, but it is one of the best memories of my time spent there. - DianeE
For those in the warmer parts of the world, Thanksgiving is a great day to go on a solitary picnic. Even though I really enjoy autumn picnics, it's still a reminder. Cooking outside on a wood fire while alone outside is a great way to remind yourself of 1) how wonderful modern kitchens are, 2) what a pleasure hot water from the tap is, 3) friends and family are a gift not a given, and 4) that having a roof is really, really nice. I tend to forget how luxurious daily living is for most of the year. - m_j_s
I have found myself boyfriendless and at loose ends for Thanksgiving, and mentioned this fact at a diner where I am a regular -- so am now going to their orphans thanksgiving. Closing up the restaurant, throwing a potluck. I couldn't be more thankful to live where I do and know these wonderful people. - pamh
*Tradition* can be positive and/or negative. THANKFULNESS for one's blessings in any situation is the antidote for depression. wherever you find yourself, be it alone or in a crowd, count your blessings. There is always joy to be found in the moment if one searches...A Blessed & Happy Thanksgving to all. - discerning
Happy Thanksgiving to the entire Apartment Therapy community and have a wonderful day, no matter how you decide to spend it!
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I enjoyed reading the stories.
If you don't have a dog - here, the Humane Society is looking for dog walkers. Since I do enough walking with my own dogs, I don't know exactly how it works, whether you need to sign up for regular dogs or come whenever it suits you - different shelters in different states will probably have different rules - but it's something you can consider.
Our own tradition of celebrating US Thanksgiving has developed at work over the years.
This is the only day of the year when it's quiet here (most our customers are US corporations) so we usually get lunch (although it is usually pizza, blech) and we play team building games. This year, for example, we played, among others, scavenger hunt.
I was running around town and I collected
- about 15 lawyers' business cards (10 points each)
- 63 strangers' signatures (10 points each)
- about 10 logo napkins from restaurants (10 points each), one place gave a baseball hat embroidered with their logo as their napkins were plain white
- an install CD with a version of our software from 10 years ago (50 points) - good think I am a pack rat
- a firefighter's hat (that I have to return on my way from work) - 25 points
Happy Thankgivings to all American AT'ers!
hrrmph, good thing, not good think
My favorite holiday tradition from childhood was the post-feast family poker game. We didnt have a television, so instead we took the opportunity to spend time rogether talking and laughing and telling stories, picking at leftovers, listening to music ... And the family poker game.
If you were old enough to get the basics of the game, you were old enough to play. Money was involved, so we learned early to save up small change in our piggy banks throughout the year. There were dishes of olives, gherkins, celery and carrot sticks, chips &dip, nuts and pretzels on trays around the table, and plenty to drink for all. Adults were allowed to smoke cigars --the only time this was allowed in the house.
Dad was always the dealer and he sat at the head of the dining table after the holiday feast was cleared, the tablecloth replaced with the green felt poker tabletop, and the ancient poker chip set made of painted wood pieces in a circular caddy was brought out from its place of honor in Dad's den. With great ceremony, he doled out piles of chips for cash (Mom was always the bank), shuffled the cards, and then paused to look at each player before dealing the first hand. This was serious business. I usually got the giggles right about then.
Once the game started, Dad would start telling stories. We would play long into the wee hours. Dad was a wonderful storyteller, and we laughed and sometimes cried, argued over poker hands, and it was the best time.
My father passed away in 1991, and it occurred to me the next holiday afterwards that he was still up $17 on me from our last game. Well played, Dad. Miss you.
This year my little sister suddenly came down with chicken pox, and because I'm pregnant we can't be with my family. It will just be me and my husband in our apartment, and my dad will bring us some dinner. I am determined to make the most of it and enjoy all I have to be thankful for!
"For the past couple of Thanksgivings I spend part of the day getting a jump on what little Christmas shopping I have to do. Some stores are open and there aren't masses of people. Then I take it easy on Black Friday, treat myself to a manicure or a movie or a nice meal. - tahitianpearl"
Soooooooo those minimum-wage workers who've been scheduled to work through Thanksgiving (and probably Black Friday too) get to help with your Christmas shopping instead of spending a day at home with their families or "taking it easy and treating themselves". Grand.
Tuesday at work I took a call from our largest customer. After our business concluded, we chatted a bit about Thanksgiving plans. The young woman who called is a single parent of two. She said she and her girls would be home alone for Thansgiving this year. She had promised them they'd put up the Christmas tree early this year and they were very excited. It quickly became obvious to me she was trying to make the best of it for her little people. Still....I could sense the note of sadness in her voice.
I said, 'What fun! Crank up the Christmas music, pop some popcorn and have a wonder-filled party! Cherish these special moments while you have them.' To which she replied, 'But, I don't have a microwave.' After some good-natured ribbing about my young friend being a product of the microwave age, I say, um, ya know ya can make popcorn on the stove, right? . She says, but doesn't that require a special pan? *sigh* THEN she mentions she looked for JiffyPop at the market over the weekend but didn't find any.
(Oh, the memories! Some of y'all remember JiffyPop, right?) Here I'm thinkin....surely JiffyPop is still around but I can't recall seeing it in yearssss. Anyhoo. Fast forward. Stopped for milk on the way home from work. On the way to checkout from the dairy case which is in the back of the store, what before my eyes should appear? Yup. JiffyPop. Funniest thing happened then...half a dozen of 'em may or may not have stuck to me like magnets.
Yesterday, Wednesday morning, I sent one of my employees to a job right next door to this customer. (What are the chances? ) In the process, this lil gift bag, all decked out in silver & purple suddenly appeared on this young mom's desk. Shortly thereafter my phone rings.
Dh was traveling (business) this yr & for the first time in 30+ yrs, we had no set-in-stone plans or I'd have invited my young friend+2 to join us. Yeah, it coulda been a bummer if I had allowed it. But I've learned to ride the waves....I don't always end up where I expected but I always arrive safely. And this time....I found that this silly lil gift WAS my Thanksgiving. It fed my soul. None of my doin's though....I'm believing it was an early Christmas miracle ;)
I am blessed. What are you thankful for this year?
Thankful to be alive(I had a major heart attack two years ago). Thankful for my country (we pull together no matter what). Thankful for my friends (they keep me balanced). SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL for my education (nothing can ever take it away from me). Thank you Apartment Therapy for this opportunity.
My family always does a pretty laid back Thanksgiving. Dad and my uncle fry the turkey, then my Mom and aunt make the sides. We always have more folks than seats so we set up the food in the kitchen and just load up our plates and sit wherever. This year the weather was pretty mild so we spent our afternoon playing cornhole. Now that the sun has gone down we'll play board/card games for the rest of the evening while having dessert set up in the kitchen, with some good drinks thrown in for good messure!
I hate to cook. Since my husband and I are separated, my eldest son died of leukemia 3 years ago, and my youngest isn't really into me right now (he's 18), I was having a hard time getting into the thanksgiving mood. So when my parents invited me to go out to a casino for the buffet, I thought i'd go along. We had the best time! the food was fantastic, the company delightful, and the gambling cheap. My mom and I made our $20.00 last a half hour at the penny slots. Home again for a couple of hands of spite and malice and pie. It was a great day!
Happy thanksgiving to everyone here, and to the wonderful people at AT.
Tomorrow's Dev Diwali, the final day of the festival season.
As a non American I don't celebrate, but I have really enjoyed reading these stories and perhaps next year I may just celebrate in my own way! :)
We were s'posed to head to NC mountains, our little cabin, and potluck dinner with UU friends ... but dear husband has been battling kidney stones and was in no shape to travel. So easy to buy a fresh turkey and cook a few sides. Such a gorgeous day here - mid-60s and not a cloud in the Carolina blue sky. I gardened, set out more bulbs, basted turkey, played with the dogs, enjoyed the quiet neighborhood and the birds flitting about. All the comfort of home and hubby felt a little better. A day off! And thankful for all my friends near and far. :-)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!
In my family, my grandma always did a giant Thanksgiving for 60+ people followed by "leftovers" for the more immediate family (aunts, uncles, etc.) on Friday. When all the fuss became too much for her, my parents decided to take it on but changed the festivities to Friday (which we now call "Franksgiving.") I love it because it allows all of us to have double the holiday with other friends/family on Thursday.
In addition to changing to Friday, my dad decided that the event needed a schtick which has changed every year. One year we had a bacon theme-- I made a bacon gingerbread house with a thatched bacon roof and a Slim-Jim chimney, my brother made bacon-infused bourbon... We had a "pilgrim and indian" costume party (which was creative and pretty off-color). We hired a magician who lost a mouse in our house (the dog later found it!). We've had a film festival with contributions from each family member projected on a wall for all to see (plus popcorn!). There have been trivia nights, white elephant gift exchanges and craft bonanzas. This year we're going relatively more key with a simple photo booth set-up.
Franksgiving is now the holiday of legend... everyone is always asking what the next theme is and inevitably we get a few strays along for the ride. More the merrier! :)
My mom has decided to stop hosting everyone, which is good. So for the past few years we go out to a restaurant, tipping well, and then some of the family (everyone this time) comes over to my house to chat for a while. Later that night I went to Steak N Shake (never closes) for dinner with a friend and then to a movie. It was a nice day. (Earlier in the day I watched the Macy's parade and got ready at a leisurely, unstressed pace.)
Since I was little, I had Thanksgiving with my immediately family, some 40 years now and in the last 5 years, I was making some of the bigger dishes (turkey, gravy, cranberries, + potatoes). However, this year, with some ailments (both in my arms + family strains due to family illness), I decided to go camping with my boyfriend. Although my family was very quiet about my decision, the choice was important for my health and well being.
It was a little odd at first, when I was use to seeing everyone (15+), and going through all the motions of making a huge turkey, all the fixings and the pressure to produce an amazing meal, it was just the two of us. I still wanted some Thanksgiving tradition, so I made a much tinier version of dinner the night before we left. Although I missed my family and happier days, it was a nice departure from the usual, enjoying a quiet dinner with a loved one set among the redwoods with a crackling campfire.