Several years ago as November approached I fretted over the many regrets I’d gotten in the past to my Thanksgiving invitations.
One of my cousins and his family usually celebrated with his in-laws; another often went to an out-of-town brother; my husband’s young relatives liked to make travel plans around their kids’ school vacations; some told me they don’t like to drive in holiday traffic; and others seemed to be perpetually committed elsewhere. So I decided to think outside the box.
Instead of celebrating on the traditional fourth Thursday of the month, I invited family and friends to join us on the first Sunday in November for what I billed as “early Thanksgiving”. To my delight everyone said yes!
I called the butcher and ordered the turkey, told my son to come early to make his special gravy, and asked my cousins to bring the beer and wine. Then I made my shopping list, remembering the vegetarians and gluten-free folks among us, and biscuits for my cousins who had asked to bring the dog, and I headed off to Gristedes.
Soon the big day arrived. We greeted each other with kisses and hugs, ate and drank, and gave thanks for all our blessings. When the meal was over we all declared it the very best Thanksgiving ever!
POSTSCRIPT
A few days later I was back in Gristedes to pick up a few things and noticed the aisles still festooned with cardboard turkeys and pilgrim hats, and still on the shelves were bastors and aluminum roasting pans, and those jumbo cans of yams and pumpkin pie filling.
I marched over to the customer service desk and confronted Nathan, the store manager.
”I think it’s time you take down all those Thanksgiving decorations and take all the holiday foods off the shelves!”, I announced smugly.
Although he was usually a friendly and loquacious guy, Nathan just stared at me, his mouth slightly agape as I turned on my heel and marched out of the store.
I was a block from home when it hit me. Although we had celebrated on the previous Sunday and I was in a post-holiday mindset, the rest of the country would be celebrating on the fourth Thursday of the month – still three weeks away.
I walked back to Gristedes and apologized to Nathan. He was thankful.
Dana Susan Lehrman
Great idea!
Thanx Goddess!
Were you the one who ate the dog biscuits? I was wondering what happened to your blog! Three months since the last one. Shame on you! Happy Thanksgiving & a healthy & happy New Year if I don’t hear from you before.
Sorry for the hiatus, my muse seems to have taken the summer off!
No I didn’t eat the dog biscuits, but yes it’s nice to be missed!
Happy holidays Artie!
Funny.
Thanx Vivian! Happy holidays!
You are so creative! Happy Thanksgiving! Paula
Thanx Polly!
Thanks for inviting me to share your blog . Since Channaka is just a week later, we will celebrate both holidays at the same time and avoid traveling one week after another. Happy Holidays!!
Turkey and latkes – perfect together!
Happy holidays Marilyn!
Greek Easter wanders wildly around the calendar, often colliding with “Western Easter” or Passover. Always spectacularly fun and festive in my house, what with families of my children, nephews and nieces, I imperiously moved Greek Easter to a summer celebration to disappear conflicts so more could attend. After an ouzo or two in the summer sun, they confess: it’s their favorite day of the year. 🙂
Bravo Mike, may you and Joan enjoy all moveable and immoveable feasts!
Like your thinking and creativity celebrating Thanksgiving. We have always discouraged the kids and theirs (since they all moved out of state and far away) not to travel at the busiest travel time of the year. We want to avoid it too, so years ago (20?) we decided to make Passover the family priority for our “together” meal. They all plan to take off that week and come out to Vegas. Othet years we’d fly out to them but several days before the seders. We live in the most weather-friendly part of the USA, so they like to come out here. (And glad you apologized to poor Nathan.)
Sounds lovely Carol, I’ve never been to a Vegas Pesach, I might just show up!
xox Dana
WE WERE IN CANADA THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER AND WE SAW LOTS OF THANKSGIVING ADDS,PRETTY EARLY TO SET UP FOR THE HOLIDAY,I THOUGHT. ASKING A CASHIER SHE INFORMED ME THAT
CANADA CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAY THE 1ST MONDAY IN OCTOBER. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CULTURAL ARROGANCE ON MY PART.
Thanx Danny, hurrah for moveable feasts!
Love reading your blog! (This demonstrates why the Jewish calendar allows for 2 days for every celebration!)
Good point Sara, and then there’s Hanukkah with 8 days!