Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m sure you’re in full planning mode prepping for the holiday. Whether you’re single or married, hosting or a guest, everyone seems to have definite ideas about what the ultimate Thanksgiving entails. So here’s a list of the great Thanksgiving quandaries so you know where you stand on the big day:
HOSTING OR A GUEST
I am not a lady who loves to entertain. My house is usually in some stage of disarray, we don’t have enough seating and since I really want everyone to have a good time, so I tend to stress about making sure I have everything my guests need to enjoy themselves. But I love helping so I am a great guest. Need some onions chopped? No problem! Set the table? I’m on it. Stir the gravy? No lumps on my watch! Maybe one day I’ll look forward to hosting, but so far…not so much.
TO BRINE OR NOT TO BRINE?
I am Team Brine all the way. I have cooked a turkey both ways, but I will say that the bird seems to come out less dry when I have brined it (no, I will not use the dreaded M-word, not even to describe delicious turkey). It might be a pain and is definitely a two person process for me, but it’s worth the result.
STUFFING: IN OR OUT?
I love the taste of stuffing cooked in the turkey, but the reality is it adds to the cooking time and there’s never enough. So I’m definitely an “outie” in regards to cooking stuffing.
FOOTBALL OR FRIENDS MARATHON?
FRIENDS for sure, but the men in my household will firmly disagree. Before Friends existed, I was definitely a fan of The Twilight Zonemarathon growing up. Nothing like the creepily natty Rod Serling scaring the bejeezus out of you before you sit down and to eat your body weight at dinner. But a Friends marathon is like hanging with all your favorite buddies – easy and fun. Plus you can have it on in the background and still enjoy conversations, cooking and family activities because let’s face it – we all know every episode by heart. This year will definitely be bittersweet with Matthew Perry’s passing.
ARE YOUR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ALREADY UP?
I am a firm NO on this question. In fact our house is decorated for Thanksgiving with yards of twinkle-lit leafy garland, turkey’s galore and autumn-colored twinkle lights outside. We’ll spend the weekend after Thanksgiving furiously decorating for Christmas, which we’ll keep up until January 6th.
BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING?
Sometimes. If I’m feeling cozy or I’m in full decorating-mode, I’ll skip the deals in favor of staying home. But I do love a bargain, so often I’ll hit the sales later in the day – there are much fewer people and it’s easier to get a parking spot. The merch might be picked over, but there are still deals to be had.
MACY’S PARADE – CHEESY OR TRADITIONAL
Both! It’s traditional because I have watched this every year since I was a child. It’s also cheesy because the lip-synched songs are somehow always sung off synch, you can always count on the crazy costumes to entertain, the dance numbers like are a throwback to a 70’s variety show and I am here for it all! And I also love the giant balloons. There’s a small part of me that is always hoping a gust of wind will give those balloon handlers a run for their money…
LET’S TALK TURKEY – LIGHT OR DARK MEAT?
I’m definitely a dark meat girl which means there is usually plenty of meat for me since most people seem partial to light meat. But I am firmly against turkey legs, especially at Disneyland…
GREEN CASSEROLE – YAY OR NAY?
YAY! I know there is barely nutritious with the canned green beans, canned friend onions and canned cream of mushroom soup, but there’s something so warm and comforting about this dish chock-filled with preservatives. But it’s good to know I can stock these items in my earthquake kit and feast on a little taste of tradition in an emergency.
FINALLY, THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION OF ALL: THE ELF ON THE SHELF – DO YOU BELIEVE OR DO YOU DESPISE?
Just like Micky Dolenz, I’m a believer! I love our Elf and he arrives as all good elves do the morning after Thanksgiving to skulk around our house, watch our every move and return to the North Pole each night to report back to Santa. I love how he pops up in a new spot every day and sometimes he is quite creative. Plus I get a kick out of sending photos of our Elf’s latest hiding spot to my sister because he creeps her out to no end.
Is there a topic that I didn’t cover? Drop me a note and let me know your most favorite or controversial Thanksgiving preference, a favorite family tradition or if you really want to debate about the importance of the Elf on the Shelf in today’s society.
Whether you spend the day with your family, your found-family or friends, enjoy your Thanksgiving. May we all have too many blessings to count on our fingers this year and always.
Happy Thanksgiving🦃