Being a young professional often means living in a different city than the rest of your familial clan. Traveling back for a visit can be costly and eat up precious vacation days, so returning for both Thanksgiving and a December Holiday like Christmas can be a jolt to the often less than full bank account.
If you’ve opted to stay put for Thanksgiving, here are some great suggestions that can make your gluttonous meal just as memorable as the family one. This means just as much fun without the sibling rivalries!
Be the Organizer – I guarantee that you are not the only one staying behind, and someone needs to take the reins to get the event scheduled. Send out an email to all of your friends, acquaintances, neighbors and colleagues, and don’t just assume they already have plans. Lots of people don’t like to announce that they’ll be alone for the holidays, and they’ll be grateful for an invite.
Also, as the organizer, you get to choose where it’s held! After people RSVP, coordinate with the person who has the most visitor friendly house to be the host…with your help of course.
Potluck It – In your fast-paced, career driven world, there is no time to prepare all the food yourself! Or, if you’re like me, your Turkey would turn out more like a rock than a main course. Get some help! As people RSVP, give them a call to see what they could bring, or assign something to them so you can cover all the bases. You don’t want to end up with 16 pots of green beans!
Add Some Entertainment – When you gather a group of people that may, or may not, know each other that well, it’s nice to have an ice breaker or other activity to start conversations.
· Perhaps tell everyone to bring a wrapped bottle of wine for a blind taste test. Attendees spend the evening sipping from different bottles and voting on the best. The winner receives a small prize and bragging rights. This is especially fun when a cheaper bottle of wine wins over something more expensive! · Go around the table at dinner and have everyone share a story on what Thanksgiving is like with their families. · How about a flag football game? · Have everyone pick one of the teams from the day’s football game and sit with their group while watching it. This can create a fun rivalry with prizes for the group that wins!
Have an Optional After Dinner Activity. After eating, nap times and a little football watching, offer up an optional activity for the evening. This continues the fun and gives the option of hanging out rather than sitting at home wishing they were with their families.
Maybe there is a bar with a special going on in your area? Perhaps there is a show, movie or theatre event? What about dance lessons somewhere? Get creative!
Whatever you end up doing this Thursday, whether with family or friends, I hope it’s a great Turkey Day and…
“May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!”
~Unknown