I admit it. I’m simple. That’s why Thanksgiving appeals to me. Yes, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the Fourth of July all have perks, but there’s something unassuming and lovely about Thanksgiving. Here are eight things I adore…
The Macy’s Day Parade — I know it’s corny, but sautéing onions in butter and sage while listening to high school bands is fun. I like the sound of snare drums and horns while getting the bird ready for the oven. Maybe its because I don’t get to hear this music much. I love watching all those eager young faces from Dayton, Boulder, and Baton Rouge. It shows how no matter what’s going on in the world, magic still exists. If you work hard you can make it to the Big Apple. You can march in one of the country’s largest, most famous parades.
Thanksgiving’s inclusive. This holiday is for everyone. There are no dividing lines between religion, political party, gender, or heritage. We’re all Americans today. Whether you’ve been here ten generations or just arrived, the entire country’s invited. Pull up a chair and dig in.
There’s no decorating. This is big. Yes, Christmas may be majestic and beautiful, but there’s something lovely in the modesty of Thanksgiving. There are no epoch-shattering house-festooning projects, no dragging full-grown firs into the living room, no fights over tree lights, running out of batteries, or getting twisted up in garland. All Thanksgiving asks is a nicely set table… if that’s no trouble.
Thanksgiving is a gift-free zone. This is also big. There’s no frantic count-down, or nail-biting over packages sent a tad too late, no trying to remember who got what last year. Is it tacky to mail gift cards…again? All Thanksgiving asks is togetherness whether it’s two people or fifty.
That meal – Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, creamed onions and butternut squash. For dessert, our family has pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream (courtesy of son Paul and nephew Sean who traditionally whip up a bowl). I have this meal once a year and crave it weeks in advance. In fact, I’m craving it now as I write this.
I love how my family has spent over sixty Thanksgivings together. What can I say? We’ve always lived close by. I also love how our celebrations are drama-free. Looking back, I have only good memories of this holiday, a gift not everyone has. For that, I give credit to my mother and beloved late father.
The simple beauty of Thanksgiving — Our family sits down around 4:00 p.m. As we eat, I love how the sky turns from blue to mauve and finally deep rose. The room goes from daylight to candlelight. For me, this moment is spiritual, ushering in the holiday season. Another year is coming to a close. Outside the air is cold. Snow is probably in our future. But like many families, we’re grateful to be warm and fed and together. This is when I feel the real meaning of Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
Thanksgiving is gone as quickly as it comes. Like any considerate guest, Thanksgiving doesn’t linger. It’s gone before you know it. Everyone helps clean. And later, I get into my pajamas for the 37th viewing of “Sound of Music.” I’ll sit back and have my second (third?) piece of pumpkin pie.
And that’s it. What could be better?
Thank you, Thanksgiving. Thank you for being so simple…yet so beautiful.
What are your thoughts on Thanksgiving? Comments are always welcome and if you like, please share. Thank you!
Meryl Baer
Yes, Thanksgiving is special for all the right reasons. My family’s specialties include sweet potato casserole covered with marshmallows, consumed once a year on this day. We listen to Alice’s Restaurant, and some of us watch football games (not me). An American experience.
Laurie Stone
Meryl, Yes, it’s truly an American experience. My son made a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows this year. Delicious!
Lauren
Between Covid and the loss of my mom last spring, it’s going to look really different this year. So I ordered the meal prepared. I plan to spend the entire day watching The Crown and trying not to grieve my parents too much.
Laurie Stone
Lauren, Sounds like a plan. So sorry for your loss.
Diane
If anticipating Thanksgiving and Christmas (and Easter and every other holiday) is for the younger set, I think I’ll never grow up! I SO love these holidays. Family times. Comfort food times.
I love this post, Laurie! I can almost smell the turkey baking!
Laurie Stone
Diane, Holidays become more precious as we get older. I especially love Thanksgiving because it’s easier.
Ellen
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is the thankful jar. Everyone writes on a little life of paper what they’re particularly thankful for in the past year, and then one of the cousins reads them out loud.
Laurie Stone
Ellen, Love that tradition and what a wonderful lesson for children.
Linda Hobden
No thanksgiving day here in the UK but I do share your love of a turkey roast 😊 We have a non turkey meal on Christmas Eve, a full turkey roast with all the trimmings on Christmas Day … and on Boxing Day (26 Dec) probably my favourite meal… cold turkey with stuffing, pickles and mashed potato 😊 Yep, All 3 days… 😊
Laurie Stone
Linda, Yum! Pickles and mashed potatoes sounds strangely wonderful.
Carol
Juicy turkeys… i love Thanksgiving!
Laurie Stone
Carol, Me too!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski
I love Thanksgiving the best too for most of those reasons. Wow! 60 years together is wonderful! We’re all spread out all over the place but occasionally meet at my brother’s house in Napa. Otherwise, it’s a small gathering or one year we spent Thanksgiving in Italy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Laurie Stone
Rebecca, Sounds like no matter what you do, Thanksgiving is well spent! We just happened to stay in the same area. Thank God we all get along!
Jennifer
There is something simple and understated about Thanksgiving and giving thanks. And then there is something not so simple about the amount of food we add to it.
Laurie Stone
Jennifer, My whole family pitches in so the food prep/cooking isn’t bad. But yes, in terms of sheer quantity, its a lot!
Lauren
You have brought up some great points. It was my favorite family holiday until my dad died a couple days before. In fact last year it fell on the same day. Now I’m not as big of a fan. But no gifts is the best part!
Laurie Stone
Lauren, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how tough that would be. All my sympathy on your loss.
Diane
I love that American Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season. Ours, in October, is wonderful, but there isn’t that heightened anticipation.
This is just lovely, Laurie. The five words, ‘warm and fed and together’ say it all!
And ooooh! That pumpkin pie!
Could I just take the whole pie? And a fork–because I am a lady… 😉
Laurie Stone
Diane, Laughing. I’d love to send you a pie. And yes, you’re also a funny lady!
Michele O'Callaghan
Enjoy!! Great post!
Laurie Stone
Michele, Thank you!
Leanne | crestingthehill
We don’t have Thanksgiving in Australia (one of the only American holidays we haven’t absorbed!) I always love the sentiment of it – family and gratitude – what’s not to love?
Laurie Stone
Leanne, Its probably my favorite holiday. Besides the great food, its such an easy, but cozy family day.
Haralee
I love the smell of all the cooking in my house. When it is not my turn to host I still make turkey. Once we realized we did not have to celebrate the Holiday with those who add stress and drama and it can be just fun, about 25 years ago, it has become one of my favorite Holidays too.
Laurie Stone
Haralee, Yes, stress and drama should not be invited to the table on Thanksgiving. I’ve always been thankful we have a low-key family in that regard.
Diane
I absolutely love the way all my American brothers and sisters make Thanksgiving special! Though our Canadian Thanksgiving meal is much the same (but not helped along by a chef son, sadly!) and it is a time of family, there isn’t the sense of the ushering in of the holiday season. I think I’m going to adopt your day. And simply have two Thanksgivings. How could life possibly get better?!
Laurie Stone
Diane, I think that’s a great idea! Two Thanksgivings would be wonderful.
Antionette Blake
Giving thanks should be part of our every day, however, if we can only celebrate it one day a year, – I’ll take it because there is so much to be thankful for!
Laurie Stone
Antoinette, Good point. I try and be thankful most of the time, although its easier said than done sometimes. The lovely thing about this holiday is it works the “gratitude muscles,” something we all could use.
Bren Lee
Fab post! I’ve always loved Thanksgiving! Football, family (if you have it), and lots of yummy food. A must have…..STRETCHY PANTS! LOL
Wishing you and yours a Happy One!
B
Laurie Stone
Bren, Yes! Stretchy pants are a must. Have a great holiday.
The Hellion
Laurie, you are very lucky to still have this…I have wonderful memories….but that is all..
Laurie Stone
Renee, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great year to come!
Sharon Greenthal
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, for all the reasons that you mention – though I did used to decorate like crazy with my pilgrim/indian collection of figurines 🙂 Downsizing cured that.
Laurie Stone
Sharon, Your pilgrim/indian decorations sound so cute! When the kids were little, we’d have cardboard pilgrim hats for the kids. So funny.
Monica H. Ginsberg
Laurie ~ just read your Thanksgiving piece for the first time. I always had the exact sentiments: the simplicity (food, family, etc) & the social ‘blending’ that makes this holiday such a treasure for all. Thanksgiving was always MY holiday & celebrating was in my home. My (now ‘ex’) husbands family joined mine (& whoever happened to be orphaned was welcome too)! I had an acute awareness of the inclusiveness as his family was Jewish & mine Irish Catholic. But no matter, on Thanksgiving Joy abounded. Then as parents passed on & tragically , my sister died ~ only a couple of days before the holiday (albeit 7 years ago), then 3 years ago my (ex) husband divorced me it became a time I dreaded. I have my two loving boys (although ones in Army Bootcamp this holiday), and I’ve come a long way in terms of healing from all the sadness I refer to. Yet this time of year is always the most difficult for me. No amount of “evolving”, meditation, yoga, prayer (or for that matter, no amount of Prozac!) can seem to fill that void. I’m left with justifying all the wondrous Thanksgivings I’ve had in the past. And trust me, I treasure them. The memories are almost enough to help me ‘transition’ to some semblance of peace & gratitude. But the tears still come despite the time that has past. I do hope everyone appreciates this holiday as fully as you (& I) do. It’s truly a miraculous time. Thanks for writing & listening !
PS I’m first cousins w/ Lisa Guyott Cantor ~ I think at some point she must have posted one of your stories and as I’m f/b friends w/her I got to start reading & following you. It’s such a pleasure ~ your stories are always tender & enlightening. Keep writing!
Laurie Stone
Monica, Thanks so much for your kind words and so great meeting you! I’m sorry you’ve had some tough times and hope happy times are coming. I think time does heal and if you love this holiday, it will help you through. Concentrate on what makes you happy. I think that helps us all in the end. All the best. Laurie
nancy@skinnykitchen.com
Love your post. Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday!!!
Laurie Stone
Thanks, Nancy. Mine too!
Laurie Stone
Thank you for reading, Jen.
Jen K
Wow, your family has had 58 Thanksgivings? That really is amazing! I love some of the reasons you listed — never thought about the fact Thanksgiving is inclusive, but it really is. Even if you're from a different country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, it's not an awkward holiday to be a part of. And of course nothing beats a turkey meal!
Jen
http://www.lifeunrefined.com
Laurie Stone
Thank you, Ann. As I get older I see how lucky I was to have parents who gave me such beautiful holidays and memories.
Ann Donnelly
I think that this is my favorite post Laurie. You are right about hitting the Parent jackpot. I Will definitely appreciate Thanksgiving more every year!