Do you go to 2 Thanksgiving dinners? Or do you have to attend 4 of them? Can you even face a fourth holiday meal?
Instead of running a marathon during the holidays, sit down with your spouse and discuss how to simplify it all. Perhaps alternating years at various relatives can work. I realize that gets complicated if others in the family are alternating also. Sometimes you have to come to terms with the fact that you can’t please everyone every year.
Or you can do as many do & invite everyone to your house for Turkey Day and make it a potluck. If some of the family don’t get along enough to attend if “they” are there, it’s their choice if they come or not. Ask your Aunt Tillie to bring her famous pumpkin pie. Ask your health-conscious sister to bring a nice salad or veggies & hummus. If your single brother will probably forget to bring what you’ve assigned, give him something simple like chips and dip that won’t be a big problem if he forgets. For those who don’t cook, assign them to bring paper plates & napkins or beverages. Or maybe someone can pick up rolls or dessert from the bakery. Just keep a list of who is bringing what & call them a couple of days ahead to remind them. At the same time remind them to bring the serving dish and a serving spoon for their food. Otherwise you’ll be scurrying around in your kitchen trying to find enough.
Usually the host/hostess makes the turkey, but everything else can be assigned to others if you like. The great thing about a potluck is that nobody has the full weight and cost of making the entire meal. Enjoy!
Maggie says
Marie, you have my sympathy. That second meal has to be difficult to even look at!
Maggie says
Marie, you have my sympathy. I know everyone wants to see everyone, but it is just too hard on the appetite!
Marie at FamilyMoneyValues says
You can still get into multiple dinners – if multiple family members decide to have a potluck at their house!
One year we did back to back dinners, one at my Mom’s and one at his – pure misery trying to eat at the second one!