Thank you for writing this piece Meghan! The timing could not have been more perfect. Today marks the one year anniversary of my husband's passing. I'm having a quiet day, with a catered meal of Mushroom Wellington and other alternatives to turkey, which I never liked, to be shared with my son and a friend of his. Thanksgiving as a child was so stressful - I was forced to wear a dress when my brothers got to wear pants, watch them play happily with the cousins of their own age, and worst of all, forced to eat turkey! I'm grateful that I can make this a peaceful day spent as I wish, with no unreasonable demands or need to travel outside my comfort zone.
I have a coworker who spent the holiday happily by herself. She lives on the beach and spent the day making homemade mac and cheese and taking her neighbor's lab down to the beach to play. My other coworker invited her to dinner when she found out she was going to be "alone." Of course, she declined—her day was going to be just about perfect.
Thank you for this, Meghan! To escape Thanksgiving last year, my husband and I left the country, driving from Connecticut to visit Old Quebec City. (I highly recommend it.) This year we opted for the radical choice: staying home with no visitors. Our eldest son is a chef in NYC and cannot get away during this busiest of seasons in hospitality. Our recent college graduate twin sons wanted to spend the holiday with my parents and my sister. I love all of them, but do not enjoy the intense family discussions that more often than not resemble The Inquisition. My husband and I slept in. We discussed joining the sober curious, watched a movie, and made a fire. Mostly, though, we enjoyed having a clean house without the smell of turkey wafting from the corners of every room. I give it five stars.
Great piece! I still remember being dragged to volatile family dinner in Philly, since my college roommate felt guilty for my solitude. Got someone else’s family drama - which wasn’t all bad.
Agree. I've spent a few by myself and quite enjoy it. This year, not for the first time, was with a friend's family gathering that stretches across 4 generations and that is fun as well.
Thank you for this article! My husband and I live in Switzerland, where Thanksgiving is not celebrated. Our adult kids, moms, and brothers and their families are all in the US, and I had just been looking at photos of their family dinners and feeling a little down when I read your article. And I realized that our solo Thanksgiving was ok, actually. I made pecan pie and shared some with our Swiss neighbors. I am grateful to you for reminding me not to feel sorry for myself and to be grateful that we get to live in this beautiful country. Happy Thanksgiving!
I appreciated this. A full, convivial house on holidays is important to me and brings me great joy. We had 7 adults 3 kids and 2 dogs in our (not big!) apartment last night. Having said that, I joke that in a parallel universe I'm a happily unmarried childless librarian. Today my husband took our daughter up to his family for the first Advent weekend. I couldn't get away from work, so will take the train up tomorrow. Tonight I have the whole place to myself. I'm in my bathrobe, listening to podcasts and eating leftover turkey sandwiches #livinthedream.
Love this! I'm not alone but I hate Thanksgiving and happily sit it out now after years of feeling that I "had" to go to someone's house and celebrate. It has come as an enormous relief!
Just my wife, adult daughter, and me this year. Who wants to cook for 3? We headed off to a restaurant. Every Tgiving tradition should be honored, even alonneness.
There’s a guy at the bar w a hat you might like. “Dogs. Because people suck.”
Thank you for writing this piece Meghan! The timing could not have been more perfect. Today marks the one year anniversary of my husband's passing. I'm having a quiet day, with a catered meal of Mushroom Wellington and other alternatives to turkey, which I never liked, to be shared with my son and a friend of his. Thanksgiving as a child was so stressful - I was forced to wear a dress when my brothers got to wear pants, watch them play happily with the cousins of their own age, and worst of all, forced to eat turkey! I'm grateful that I can make this a peaceful day spent as I wish, with no unreasonable demands or need to travel outside my comfort zone.
I have a coworker who spent the holiday happily by herself. She lives on the beach and spent the day making homemade mac and cheese and taking her neighbor's lab down to the beach to play. My other coworker invited her to dinner when she found out she was going to be "alone." Of course, she declined—her day was going to be just about perfect.
Thank you for this, Meghan! To escape Thanksgiving last year, my husband and I left the country, driving from Connecticut to visit Old Quebec City. (I highly recommend it.) This year we opted for the radical choice: staying home with no visitors. Our eldest son is a chef in NYC and cannot get away during this busiest of seasons in hospitality. Our recent college graduate twin sons wanted to spend the holiday with my parents and my sister. I love all of them, but do not enjoy the intense family discussions that more often than not resemble The Inquisition. My husband and I slept in. We discussed joining the sober curious, watched a movie, and made a fire. Mostly, though, we enjoyed having a clean house without the smell of turkey wafting from the corners of every room. I give it five stars.
We love you and we are grateful for you on this day of Thanksgiving and every day.
Great piece! I still remember being dragged to volatile family dinner in Philly, since my college roommate felt guilty for my solitude. Got someone else’s family drama - which wasn’t all bad.
Happy Thanksgiving, Meghan!
I spend mine every year with my best friend from college, but I’m comfortable being alone too.
I loved the original piece, re-read it occasionally when family-focused holidays strike.
This was beautiful, especially the very last part.
Great piece. The writing and sentiments expressed so good.
Now this stance is what I *really* envy (much like your stance on being childfree!)
I fondly remember some of my chosen solo holidays back when I was single. They were wonderful.
Agree. I've spent a few by myself and quite enjoy it. This year, not for the first time, was with a friend's family gathering that stretches across 4 generations and that is fun as well.
Thank you for this article! My husband and I live in Switzerland, where Thanksgiving is not celebrated. Our adult kids, moms, and brothers and their families are all in the US, and I had just been looking at photos of their family dinners and feeling a little down when I read your article. And I realized that our solo Thanksgiving was ok, actually. I made pecan pie and shared some with our Swiss neighbors. I am grateful to you for reminding me not to feel sorry for myself and to be grateful that we get to live in this beautiful country. Happy Thanksgiving!
I appreciated this. A full, convivial house on holidays is important to me and brings me great joy. We had 7 adults 3 kids and 2 dogs in our (not big!) apartment last night. Having said that, I joke that in a parallel universe I'm a happily unmarried childless librarian. Today my husband took our daughter up to his family for the first Advent weekend. I couldn't get away from work, so will take the train up tomorrow. Tonight I have the whole place to myself. I'm in my bathrobe, listening to podcasts and eating leftover turkey sandwiches #livinthedream.
Love this! I'm not alone but I hate Thanksgiving and happily sit it out now after years of feeling that I "had" to go to someone's house and celebrate. It has come as an enormous relief!
Just my wife, adult daughter, and me this year. Who wants to cook for 3? We headed off to a restaurant. Every Tgiving tradition should be honored, even alonneness.
There’s a guy at the bar w a hat you might like. “Dogs. Because people suck.”