topic Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone? in Community Chat

Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Katcat1 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:24:05 GMT

Well, you are not alone anymore. I will be alone this Thanksgiving but I still celebrate a little. I bought a Stouffers Turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and dressing and then I will cook fresh sweet potatoes and the bake (candied) and fresh brussel sprouts and to top off canned whole cranberry sauce. How about you? Will you cook something for yourself? Happy Thanksgiving.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Bhvbum — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:27:39 GMT

Do you know any other loners? I ate by myself one year at Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving, and the next year I invited everybody I knew who was single to my house for Thanksgiving dinner. We had great fun.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

hayseed00 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:30:06 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving friend !!!!

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

aroc3435 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:30:51 GMT

@Katcat1 I did have only one Thanksgiving that I was all alone. Thank goodness I like to read. And I kept the TV on to watch the Macy's and Philadelphia Parades and the dog show.

And I did cook for myself. I was thankful that I had a home and good food. I often think of so many (often overlooked) who do not.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

dex — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:32:07 GMT

Our community does a dinner for anyone who wants to attend..Volunteers donate the food,cook and serve.It is very popular and I am sure fun..volunteer or just have dinner with many others.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

blackhole99 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:32:51 GMT

Although I'm not alone this Thanksgiving, I think you have a good plan for surviving the holiday. Doesn't sound like you are feeling down about it, just because someone is alone on a holiday doesn't mean they feel like jumping off a bridge. Enjoy your dinner and Happy Turkey Day to you too.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Dragonflyveb — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:35:07 GMT

I will be at my daughters house, eating a turkey package dinner. Had the same thing last year and it was pretty bad.

So, when I get home, I am making myself a turkey breast (hard to find this year), some cheese potato casserole, green bean casserole, and the dressing and cranberries that nobody likes but me. I like leftover turkey sandwiches!

also, a nice bottle of wine!

i guess I am outdated, but I really like the traditional homemade classics on holidays.

When I am alone on holidays, I usually binge watch Netflix or movies that make. Me laugh. Airplane is a favorite of mine. Or I save a favorite author's book to enjoy.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

dex — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:35:12 GMT

@blackhole99@You are right that it doesn’t matter if a person doesn’t feel lonely, but it is nice to know there are options if you want company.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

KailaS — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:36:12 GMT

I am alone but never lonely on holidays. For Thanksgiving I already made home made soup and homemade cranberry salad. I have sweet potatoes ready for the oven, pulled chicken from the freezer about an hour ago, and bought fresh green beans today. I love to cook, so today already has started my fun.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

wingnut — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:36:40 GMT

I'm cooking a whole chicken in the air fryer and preparing all the traditional sides. I've been doing this since 1997 so I've got it down to a science. Thankful to have a roof over my head and food on the table.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

wildcat fan — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:37:00 GMT

I always feel like I'm never alone because I have all of you to keep me company. ❤️

Your dinner sounds yummy @Katcat1. I plan to make a small casserole, potatoes, and dessert (haven't decided on which dessert I'll do, though). I was inspired by another thread here to order a turkey breast from Honey Bake Ham. I've never done that before but decided to try one and make it a little easier this year.

Hopefully I'll be able to visit with family around Christmas. In the meantime, I will be thankful for a slower pace and good conversations with cyber friends.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

YorkieonmyPillow — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:37:17 GMT

I'm not spending Thanksgiving alone but will be here on the board about 4 EST or thereabouts, so anyone who is alone can come here and we can visit. Then you won't be alone on Thanksgiving.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Katcat1 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:37:46 GMT

@blackhole99 I am fine. Sometimes it works out like that. Last year I was at my Goddaughter's. Life is what you make it. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

CLHS68 — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:38:32 GMT

I will be alone & do cook for myself. I love the food & am not going to do without just because I am alone. I will be alone Christmas too.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

texassunflower — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:47:26 GMT

I will be alone on Thanksgiving. My sister and I will go out to eat on Wednesday for lunch. We won't be having aThanksgiving meal this year. We lost our Mom in June. My sister can't come in my home because Mother died under hospice care in my home. I will probably be by myself at Christmas also. I have been dreading the holidays this year. We will get through it and hopefully next year will be a little better. I plan to stay busy Thanksgiving Day and will be do all shopping that day online.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

AussieLuvr — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 23:57:26 GMT

I'll be home alone with our dog. My husband is flying to Wisconsin (we live in North Carolina) to spend the holiday with his brother and one of his daughters and the 3 and 6-year-old grandkids.

I am not the least bit sad about it for a few reasons. For one thing, I don't enjoy flying anywhere over the highly traveled holidays due to a disability that slows me down. For another, I don't really cherish my husband's family; they have never truly welcomed me into their midst, even after more than 24 years. I am the second wife and was NOT welcome; ever. I'm not bitter but I learned a long time ago that disengaging was the healthiest thing I could do for myself.

My own family lives in and around New York City and that's another "journey".

Due to my disability travel is just not fun or easy for me, but I would NEVER ask my husband to stay home on my behalf. I've been to England, Wales, Scotland, France, Wisconsin and Colorado in the last year and I have had my fill of travel for a while.

Last but not least, holidays are sooooo much work. I spent twenty years cooking for a gang of 15-20 people in my husband's VERY old fashioned, gender-specific-role family. They are good people and most still farm for a living. But the women planned, shopped, cooked, served and cleaned up. I did it for all of the major holidays and lots of Sundays in between for more than two decades. Its exhausting and to do it for people who weren't very nice to me made me weary.

So I CELEBRATE the opportunity to make myself fresh salmon with rice and Brussell Sprouts (my husband doesn't like any of the above, lol), read, listen to music as loud as I want and just hang out in my jammies.

I volunteer at Old Salem Historic Village in Winston Salem, NC and I'll be spending time at events there with people all around me so I will not be lonely.

I am completely at peace with this. My husband and I have a relationship where we do not hold one another back; if I want to go on a trip and he doesn't, I go. And vice versa.

It's all good.

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

gizmogal — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:06:46 GMT

I’ll be alone, as always. My two siblings live too far away for us all to get together and none of us wants the travel hassles. I live alone and cook for myself every night, so I don’t find a Thanksgiving dinner different, except for the more substantial menu I plan.

I bought a small boneless pork loin (rib end) to roast after giving it some yummy marinade time overnight. Always moist and scrumptious with a recipe I’ve enjoyed for years. Will bake a potato and indulge in ice cream for dessert. Greatly looking forward to this meal and maybe a bit for Friday lunch.

I enjoy the cooking and the anticipation of the good food ready for the plate. I’m rarely bored or lonely on this holiday. I watch a bit of the parade on TV, the dog show, some sports, and eat mid-afternoon instead of evening. I use the “good” china dinnerware, my silver place settings, and a nice goblet just to dress the table for myself.

I will pause before I dig in to the luscious pork, and say thanks out loud for my food, my independence, my health. I add thanks for my siblings’ and friends’ good lives, and remember thanks for those who help in emergencies and all who commit to service to our country. It’s a quiet, somewhat pensive day. I keep it upbeat with a bit of ritual and know I’m lucky to live the private way I prefer and celebrate in my own thankful way.

Have a good, safe holiday, everyone!

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Diva on The Q — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:09:29 GMT

@AussieLuvr: Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

AussieLuvr — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:13:57 GMT

@gizmogal - The pork loin sounds delightful! My husband and I buy them whole and cut them up vacuum seal them for freezing. After we moved to North Carolina three years ago we became barbecue sauce connoisseurs and we have a favorite marinade that we use before grilling.

You've given me a great idea; I think I'll have that on Friday.

Enjoy!

Re: Anyone Spending Thanksgiving Alone?

Laura14 — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 00:38:24 GMT

I used to cook a traditional meal for myself but after I lost my dog I take it as a vacation day from work and enjoy as I will.

This year I actually do have a sister to go to but I am not looking forward to it. The last time I went I was raked over the coals because of a difference in opinion over nonsense from a new family member.

I coud not believe the disrespect and ill manners towards me which was new and I never went back. My sister did have the good graces to apologize as I left that day but not what I am here for.

I honestly envy those of you who know you'll have a peaceful day. This may sound strange but I am going to miss not being alone on Thanksgiving.