I am considering spending Thanksgiving alone

My relatives are in Austin, not that far away, but I am not sure I feel like going up there. I have so much work to do that driving up there and back will cut into the time I have. I say this having wasted the last three days doing nothing at all. So go figure.

But I have no idea what I would eat that day. There is a Honeybaked Ham store here so I was thinking about getting a small one or maybe just part of one. And then doing some of that green bean casserole and maybe sweet potatoes. And buying a pie. On the other hand, it's a little depressing being alone on a holiday, but not so much if I have chosen to be alone. My relatives can be a little much to take sometimes.

Not feeling really sociable right now, and just hanging around the house by myself seems mighty appealing. I believe MrSG is going to his brother's house, but I will probably just stay home.

I'd like to cook a turkey the day before, and have a turkey sandwich on Thanksgiving -- it's my favorite way to have turkey.

I hate spending Christmas away from family, but Thanksgiving is different. I don't mind being alone on that day.

What I do mind is that when I am alone and choose to go out to eat, I can't find anything open. Well the Japanese seafood buffet place did have a sign announcing they would be open. Now that would be different. Sushi for Thanksgiving! It actually sounds good.

But I think I actually want to make something, despite not really having any abilities in the kitchen (nor many of the required ingredients at this point).

or be alone if you choose

My family is all out of state

my son will be out of state on Thanksgiving, so I have no relatives here either.

I'm going to get together with a friend and we will grill steaks and have a meal that we want to have.

:hi:

:pals:

I hate Thanksgiving with my family. To much stress to deal with so I volunteer at a elementary school that serves dinner to the needy. It gets me away and I think it is actually really fun.

They will be prominent at the grocery store right now. It's just a plastic bag that can withstand oven temps. Get a small turkey. Thaw it. Put in bag (all resting in a tinfoil roasting pan you buy at grocery store). Add a bit of oil and seasonings to the turkey if you like. Close bag. Cook per directions that are printed on the bag the turkey comes in. Turkey stays moist. It's really pretty easy - that's how I always do it.

It's also really easy to make mashed potatoes from scratch. The hardest part is peeling the potatoes. Then just cut them into cubes, into boiling water until they almost fall apart. Drain in colander. Mash in a big bowl with butter and salt, maybe a little milk or cream. Yummy.

I also highly recommend Stovetop stuffing. So easy to make in the microwave. Also yummy.

My little family has given up traveling for Thanksgiving. Too stressful and a waste of time. We just hang out here, watch football, make our dinner the way we want it, and enjoy the time off. We don't get near enough vacation to waste it doing something we don't like!

But maybe a chicken instead.

I haven't made those in years, but they are small, and don't take too long to cook. Stovetop dressing is pretty good as an alternative to stuffing the hens.

I brined it and roasted it as if it were an entire turkey, and it came out GREAT. And not too much meat--enough for my meal, and a little leftovers. And I was able to get my turkey fix without making a gigantic bird. :hi:

And no plastic bags full of giblets!
One Easter my roommates and I decided to make a turkey but we forgot to take out that bag. It tasted a little funny.

When I was in college, I spent a Thanksgiving alone. I went to see the movie "The Right Stuff", and then I ate granola out of a thermos top. It wasn't that bad, really.

This year the lives of my family have been disrupted because a family member has cancer, and he is away receiving Chemo, and the rest of us are just in various states of limbo and not inclined to be together.

I think it's okay to be alone, if we can stand it. I rarely feel "lonely", just alone.

...since they always need volunteers to help serve on Thanksgiving. I had a friend, in college, who did that every Thanksgiving and they found it very rewarding. If I didn't have to work this year, I'd do it. I've put it on my "to do list," before I die. :hi:

I've never done that.

Just google "salvation army" and your city name. Then, call the number in the morning! Good luck... and please let us know how it goes, okay?! :-) :hi:

I really hate not being able to visit with my family but I have to work the Saturday after & the logistics wouldn't work out. Looks like a "hungry man" frozen turkey dinner for me!

I

my family made thanksgiving our own thing. We all have our own dinners and don't travel anywhere. (well, for most) I am going to my Mother's. My sister is having dinner. My Aunt is having dinner. My Grandparents are having dinner.

But we all get together for Christmas.

This year I've ordered some smoked turkey and brisket from a local BBQ place, and I'm going to make dressing and pumpkin pie and probably some homemade bread as well. I like being able to enjoy the holiday without having to worry about going somewhere.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, no matter what you do.