Move over, awkward chat with weird aunt Susie: 5 ways to break from a traditional Thanksgiving.
As kids scatter from the kitchen, mom pulls a hot, golden turkey from the oven. Mashed potatoes steam on the counter, next to fluffy stuffing, and a Corningware dish of green bean casserole. A traditional Thanksgiving scene like this one isn’t hard to imagine.
But tradition just for the sake of tradition loses its importance. Traditions, by definition, have symbolic meaning or special significance. If you’ve found yourself just going through the motions during the holiday season, it may be time to give one of these five nontraditional ideas a try.
Get the cooks out of the kitchen.
The kitchen has always been a central hub of activity during traditional Thanksgiving celebrations. From the main dish to the desserts, most holiday foods are baked or cooked on the stove. But before the last of the fall weather fades, it may be enjoyable to move the cooking and the family fun outside.
Mint Hill resident Chris Watkins shifted the meal preparations outdoors. Every year his dad was in charge of smoking or frying a turkey, and now he wants to bring that same experience to his kids.
“The great thing about this is that it got me and my brother outside with my dad in the morning,” Watkins said. “It was always fun to go out and help get things set up. We would then play football while the turkey cooked. I love doing this with my kids. I’m in charge of the turkey at my house, and my kids help me get things set up, and we play outside while everything is getting ready.”
You could also dust off the grill for side items such as seared vegetables, baked sweet potatoes, or even grilled fruits. For dessert, gather around the fire pit and have a s’more making contest to settle the age-old question of “golden or burnt”.
Focus more on the ‘giving’ in Thanksgiving.
Instead of spending the day focused on what you have, also take some time to look outward. A good way to do this is to volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Many local nonprofits host events on or near the holiday to help those in need.
The Charlotte Rescue Mission has available volunteer slots for meal service from 5:45 am until 3:15 pm on Thanksgiving Day. The Rescue Mission website states that the volunteers are to ensure all guests have “an exceptional meal experience” on that day.
Friends can be family, too.
Charlotte resident Christina Hill throws a Thanksgiving gathering that she calls “Friendsgiving”. Hill got the idea from reading an account in her Bible of how Jesus sat down with the tax collectors to eat a meal. At that time, the tax collectors were kept out of Jewish culture and family life because they were working for the Roman government. Jesus’ act showed he recognized them as members of the family.
This symbolic gesture of breaking bread to show kinship and acceptance gave Hill the idea to think beyond the “family gathering” model for Thanksgiving. She chooses a day leading up to Thanksgiving and hosts a “Friendsgiving” meal. This year, her home will be holding 54 guests.
“My family and I love doing this to honor and bless our friends and to show our love and appreciation,” she said.
Escape the family drama and enjoy a getaway.
Travel can be hectic over the holidays, so if you are going to do it, why not turn your trip into a vacation? Extending Thanksgiving break by adding a couple of extra days for recreation can help you recharge before winter sets in.
If you are going out of town, find a vacation destination where you are traveling. If you are staying in the area, visiting a local resort, such as Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, can provide an all-inclusive getaway.
Make it yours by celebrating your own journey.
Bryce Paulsen, of Matthews, had a life-changing experience in 2008 when his family found themselves to be “pilgrims” in the land of Boston at Spaulding Medical Rehab Center.
In October, his 13-month-old son, Anthony, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The following days were a whirlwind of surgeries and procedures. Finding themselves away from home on Thanksgiving Day, the Paulsens’ only option for dinner that year was an Indian restaurant. Little did they know then this would start a new family tradition.
“We always have one Indian dish on the table every year for Thanksgiving to remind us of our unique holiday in 2008,” Paulsen said. “It’s a small reminder that we all might have to play the unfortunate role of the pilgrim at some point in our lives. We survived the ordeal, and we’re now ready to begin helping some pilgrims of our own.”
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be limited to the typical foods and traditions because the important thing is to make it a day that recognizes the things your family values. A change to the location, guest list, or menu might be just what you need to focus your thoughts on the real significance of the day.
Photo: Element 5 Digital
This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Move over, awkward chat with weird aunt Susie: 5 ways to break from a traditional Thanksgiving.."