Confession: I enjoy having a stress free Thanksgiving. For me that means no cooking (horrified gasps from the crowd).
I know that many of you immensely enjoy cooking for large numbers of people and I’m happy for you — really, I am! For me it’s a huge stressor.
I feel this immense pressure to provide a wonderful experience for my family (insert picture perfect family dinner in Publix holiday commercial), but in reality I can’t do it. I hate dealing with whole raw poultry and, while I enjoy watching Little House on the Prairie, I don’t want to live that way. I like to remain blissfully unaware of the source of my food.
In addition, no one in my family likes turkey that much. It seems like a lot of work to prepare all that food for people who would rather be eating a cheeseburger.
After a few years of anguish I finally decided to let go of my romantic notions about holidays and last year we celebrated A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. We had a late lunch followed by a dinner of popcorn, toast, jelly beans, marshmallows and pretzel sticks while we watched the A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving DVD. It was a big hit with my kids and left me feeling relaxed and happy.
And now you know yet another reason why I will not be receiving the Mother of the Year Award. Or maybe I will, from my kids.
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We always make sugar cookies. I let the boys trace their hands on the dough and then we bake them. When they’re done, we ice them and put candy corn for the beak and feathers and then chocolate chip for the eye. It’s their favorite thing they look forward to every year! As soon as this time of year rolls around, they start asking when they can make their turkey cookies.
That’s a cute idea Lisa!
Lisa – check my blog entry yesterday – I was talking about the same thing. How we need to emphasize family and traditions and quit trying to be “the perfect person” and trying to out do everyone else. I would love to hear your feedback! Thanks!
Carol @ cdm-arewethereyet.blogspot.com
I love the traditional Thanksgiving day meal! I love it so much that for the next several days after I eat turkey, dressing (a.k.a. stuffing) and crandberry sauce sandwiches! Yes, I DO love cranberry sauce! With that said,how fun would it be to have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving supper! My son is only 18 months but when he gets a little older I think we will give it a try! I forgot to tell you I’m a big Peanuts fan! It’s just not the holidays without Charlie Brown!
I know what you mean about Charlie Brown and the holidays-we now own all the dvd’s so we can watch them with the kids!
How fun, I want to come to your house! You’re doing the most important part of the holiday, spending quality time with the ones you love. Sounds like a winner to me! 🙂
Thanks Alycia. It’s good to be reminded that the people are the reason I am thankful!
how much do I love this???? my kids HATE thanksgiving food. for years, I would cook TG food AND chicken nugs and rice. Or, the ever popular, all the side dishes are ready and the turkey hasn’t popped yet….
This year, my DH and my oldest daughter and my 2nd oldest are in New York City (we’re in Orlando) for my oldest daughter’s “wish trip”. They are having an awesome time, but I’m here with my 10, 8.5 and 6.5 YO kids.
So, WHY would I cook food no one here will eat, besides me? So, we are having turkey-shaped pizza, chips & dip, doritos, M&Ms. We may decorate slice & bake cookies to look like turkeys. Maybe we’ll go to the park. I don’t know. But I am looking forward to THIS TG more than any other (except for my husband and 2 kids not being here).
I agree… this WILL make you the Mother of the Year!
I disagree. I think that is exactly why you WILL be getting the Mother of the Year Award. My kids would love it. We are traveling to Chattanooga this year to visit all the grandparents in the retirement home and taking them out to Cracker Barrel. No stress for us either. But really will miss the leftovers (my favorite part of holidays).
Eating out is good too!