Over the years, my family has had a lot of different Thanksgiving celebrations. There was one memorable year spent at a resort with extended family, enjoying an elegant restaurant buffet. Another year found us cooking two separate meals, wrapping one to send to the hospital for loved ones who would spend the day in the ICU. Sometimes, we’ve been guests, traveling to New York City or Ohio, bearing pies. Most of the time, lately, we’ve hosted; at any given point in time, I might be getting ready to cook a turkey dinner for six people, or twenty-six.
At this point, I’ve had plenty of Thanksgiving experience, and I’ve gotten good at adapting to whatever may happen. Whether I’m wrapping up homemade crumb cake for contactless delivery to family members (thanks, pandemic) or moving all of our living room furniture to run every available folding table down the entire length of the house, I always end up feeling roughly the same: Warm, grateful, tired, and full – physically and emotionally. The trick is in the lead-up. Thanksgiving is just one day, but preparing for the “Mother of all family dinners” is a whole other story.
That’s why we’re always adding to our Thanksgiving hub – a place where you can find resources to help you get ready for a day of meaningful food, fun, and conversation. We’ve got everything from holiday conversation starters and group games to low-budget recipes and advice on managing tricky family dynamics. And this year, we’ve added some tips to get you through the days before the holiday, when it seems incomprehensible that people actually need to eat dinner every night while you’re planning for the big feast.
Whatever your holiday plans may look like, check out our Thanksgiving page for ideas to help you make the day your own. And while you’re at it, our Holidays hub is ready and waiting for any festivities to follow.
Check out our Thanksgiving Page
Planning dinner in the lead-up to Thanksgiving can be annoying. We’ve got a big list of ideas to help!
What to Eat Before Thanksgiving Dinner
Considering a Friendsgiving this year? Check out our ultimate guide to planning a fun day with friends that passes your holiday vibe check.
In the latest episode of our podcast, we’re talking with Drs. Paula Rauch and Melinda Macht-Greenberg about keeping parents and children on the same page after the transition to adulthood – including how to manage holiday tensions.
Episode 22: When Adults Go Home for the Holidays
