Holiday Plans?
By Shellyann36
@Shellyann36 (11383)
United States
November 20, 2012 11:51pm CST
For us here in the states Thanksgiving holiday is on Thursday. What are your plans for this holiday? We have two family dinners to go to. On my side of the family, my sister came up with the wonderful idea of our family and her boyfriend's family all getting together. In order to make that happen we had to rent a space large enough for us all. One of the local churches has a community building it rents out for such occasions. We will have access to a full kitchen and plenty of seating. I am rather dreading this set up. Thanksgiving is my Mama's favorite holiday and she normally goes all out for it. She is really upset about the idea but she went along with it willingly. The whole thing has been disorganized. I had to call my sister to find out what everyone was bringing and what else was needed. She finally got a list together. I was disappointed that her bf's family don't eat many of the same things we do. Our normal Thanksgiving holiday is very Southern. We have collards, turnips and turnip salad, rutabagas, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, turkey, gravy, dressing,cranberry sauce, pumpkin & sweet potato pie and of course banana pudding. They have turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn and peas.... I really wonder how its gonna all turn out?
After we leave there its off to Keith's side of the family. Now they will have the traditional southern throwdown (but its still not like my Mama's!). In all reality it will be a very long day.
What will you be doing this Thanksgiving?
7 responses
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
21 Nov 12
my other half and my kids are down in Tucson, AZ-- and as far as I know, they aren't planning anything special. I am in Washington State, and a shut in-- so I am hiving Kraft Deluxe Mac and cheese with some roast beef. In previous years, according to my kids, we used to do the big spread-- turkey, roast, potatoes, stuffing, my green bean casserole, cranberry-- the works, and my other half made pies.
The menus for both of your families sound equally delicious-- why not combine them, with smaller quantities than usual of each? more work, but that way everyone is happy. You could also have tried to get a pot luck going, but it's a little late for that now. I don't even want to think about the work involved in pulling this plan off, for you and everyone! I hope it goes well 
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
21 Nov 12
(myLot stole my original comment even though it had text with letters, numbers and standard punctuation-here goes)
Why are you in Washington State while your children are in Tucson, AZ? I'm sorry to hear that. Growing up, my grandmother did the big spread with Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas and Easter. After she passed, my aunts and mom tried alternating holidays, but my mom settled on Thanksgiving since she already did Christmas breakfast.
I've never had an opportunity to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, at least not a traditional one. My ex never provided me with a home with a decent kitchen (that one didn't have a ceiling!), and I was always invited somewhere else anyway. I feel handicapped because I've never gotten the chance!
This year, I was going to attempt it, but it went the same way that Christmas breakfast went last year-NO WHERE! Somehow, all plans get thrown away over Jim's bills, and that is depressing. I think I'm eating a peanut butter sandwich-or maybe a grilled cheese, if we can afford some.
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
21 Nov 12
We are going to hubby's sisters house where his family and mine combine for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
I've kind of been thinking it would be nice to break away from the traditional foods....guess I am probably being silly.
I do look forward to holidays because all 4 of my children and most of my grandchildren are all around me. This year my middle daughter and her family are not coming in to town. This makes me sad, especially since a couple of weeks ago she announced she is pregnant again.
Marsha
p.s. I recognize that photo with the yellow truck! I don't remember the name of the website now where I first seen you standing by it and commented how yellow is my favorite color.
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
28 Nov 12
Sorry your middle daughter did not attend. My boys did not attend this year either. One is in Texas, the oldest was working all day and the 18 year old stayed at his dads. It was still a good day and we did have our normal fare with a few added extra's from the other family.
P.S. I think you commented over on either Gather or Sidetick. I am Shellyann1972 on Gather and Shellyann36 on Sidetick. :)
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
21 Nov 12
That's an awful lot of eating that you and Keith will need to do...are you sure you'll be up to it?
If your sister wants to include her boyfriend's family in Thanksgiving, she may have an announcement coming. One evening, my sister's boyfriend came to dinner-and they announced her engagement. Since our parents already knew, it was really only announced to me and my daughter. Unfortunately, my mother passed quite soon after the announcement, and we never did get to have a family holiday with both families.
My mother came from Philadelphia; my father grew up in Jersey, and that's where our family was raised. My mother chose to participate with my father's family each year, but her family had a big family party, usually right around New Years. When my aunt married, she alternated holidays with my uncle's family. So has my cousin.
Currently, both of my parents are gone, as are my boyfriend's parents. My sister lives in South Carolina; his brother locally. But we have no plans now-I was going to get a very small turkey (I'm not that big on turkey), and cook a few dishes, but money issues have prevented that. I'll be spending the day at home, shampooing the carpet since I have nothing better to do.
Have fun, be opened minded about spending the holidays with your sister's boyfriend's family since they may become family. Happy Thanksgiving!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
22 Nov 12
Happy Thanksgiving Shellyann! I am settling in here after a wonderful day. I had turkey and all the fixings with my family. I am settling down now so full I can barely move. I did think I was going to have a four day weekend but I found out yesterday that I will have to work two of those days. Another thing to be thankful for I suppose. I was looking forward to the time off though.
Hope you had a great day!
@changjiangzhibin89 (17244)
• China
29 Nov 12
Sorry,Thanksgiving day isn't our statutory holiday.It is great your two families dine together during the holiday,though it is hard to suit all tastes.How many people are there on both your families?
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I am having 8 over for dinner....traditional with Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, salad, corn, and pie.....so there won't be much different here....Oh I also did buy a small ham as my son and his girlfriend had Thanksgiving last weekend with her family...thought they might be sick of turkey.
