A well-spent Thanksgiving
September 22, 2013 8:34 PM Subscribe
My husband and I typically spend thanksgiving alone (together). It's always nice but a little quiet sometimes. Help me find something(s) to do to add to our day, whether volunteering, a great restaurant, or something recreational. Geographical considerations inside...
Our families are far away, and we can't make the trip every year. Our family members generally refuse to come to our place for holidays. This makes me sad but that's how it is. It has become our tradition that we make our favorite version of the dinner, do a little hiking, relax, etc. but it can be a little quiet. I know that the ongoing family stress I've been having is going to make me low that day. So I've decided to be proactive and try to plan some things that wouldn't be possible if we had to attend a big family event.
One thing I've always wanted to do is go to a really good restaurant for dinner rather than doing it ourselves. Get dressed up (or not) and make it the event. We are near sturbridge,ma, so there are several inns around here that do that. No idea which would be best or if any are worth their price, etc. I'm not sure if we're up for driving to Boston, etc but if it would be great, I'd consider.
In addition to the special dinner, I also love the idea of volunteering somewhere. I am a little introverted though so something not one-on-one would be ideal. Not that I need to make the choice because I haven't been able to find anything around here to do. Even something on Friday, etc - in the past, I've volunteered wrapping Xmas presents at the mall the day after and it was so fun! But I can't find anything like this....
Last we have always enjoyed doing turkey trots/5k runs on the morning. I think there one local, but maybe you want to suggest something awesome farther away?
Not to limit it to just those categories, but many people made some great general suggestions of things to do locally when I was at a loss about how to fill my staycation, so I was looking for suggestions specific to Thanksgiving. Is there a category I'm missing?
Our families are far away, and we can't make the trip every year. Our family members generally refuse to come to our place for holidays. This makes me sad but that's how it is. It has become our tradition that we make our favorite version of the dinner, do a little hiking, relax, etc. but it can be a little quiet. I know that the ongoing family stress I've been having is going to make me low that day. So I've decided to be proactive and try to plan some things that wouldn't be possible if we had to attend a big family event.
One thing I've always wanted to do is go to a really good restaurant for dinner rather than doing it ourselves. Get dressed up (or not) and make it the event. We are near sturbridge,ma, so there are several inns around here that do that. No idea which would be best or if any are worth their price, etc. I'm not sure if we're up for driving to Boston, etc but if it would be great, I'd consider.
In addition to the special dinner, I also love the idea of volunteering somewhere. I am a little introverted though so something not one-on-one would be ideal. Not that I need to make the choice because I haven't been able to find anything around here to do. Even something on Friday, etc - in the past, I've volunteered wrapping Xmas presents at the mall the day after and it was so fun! But I can't find anything like this....
Last we have always enjoyed doing turkey trots/5k runs on the morning. I think there one local, but maybe you want to suggest something awesome farther away?
Not to limit it to just those categories, but many people made some great general suggestions of things to do locally when I was at a loss about how to fill my staycation, so I was looking for suggestions specific to Thanksgiving. Is there a category I'm missing?
The Salem Cross Inn is nearby and must be doing a groovy T-giving thing. You could drive to Wormtown or Springfield, help a soup kitchen, then hit the Inn on the way back. A rural drive on 9 or 20 I think. Strurbridge Village is an option, but a run of the mill (no pun) one if you live there. Maybe Mount Wachussett has some kind of hike or shindig. They are a ski area north of you in Princeton.
posted by vrakatar at 9:22 PM on September 22, 2013
posted by vrakatar at 9:22 PM on September 22, 2013
No local recs, but would having a special overnight getaway in tandem with your special meal also be fun? If you've got the budget and the inclination, you could check out rooms in one of these quaint sounding inns that are being mentioned or check out vrbo.com for a cute cabin with a fireplace. A romantic couples getaway is definitely something you can't do with family in tow.
posted by dahliachewswell at 11:47 PM on September 22, 2013
posted by dahliachewswell at 11:47 PM on September 22, 2013
I don't know your local area; but I can say that in my own experience, food pantries and kitchens are SWAMPED with volunteers on holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas --- tons of schools, colleges, churches, etc. bring in big groups of once-a-year volunteers. It's sort of like the type of people who only go to church on Christmas, Easter and maybe Mother's Day while ignoring 'their' church the rest of the year: they'll stampede in to serve breakfast to the homeless once or twice a year and ignore the need the rest of the year.
posted by easily confused at 4:52 AM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by easily confused at 4:52 AM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
Just to add, as someone who has spent a lot of time messing around on vrbo.com recently, many (perhaps most?) of the cabins/houses I looked at had a two or even three night minimum during holidays.
posted by skycrashesdown at 5:41 AM on September 23, 2013
posted by skycrashesdown at 5:41 AM on September 23, 2013
We're in the same boat. I have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving (booo) so it precludes our going anywhere for the holiday.
Volunteer some other time of year. The world turns out to scoop stuffing to the homeless on Thanksgiving. Or, call the local animal shelter, perhaps they need someone to help out with the animals. Walk dogs, or feed cats or whatever.
Make your own Thanksgiving rituals.
Perhaps you have French Toast and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Or do your 5k.
Sit down with your husband and discuss what you are truly thankful for. Get a nice blank page book and each year jot them down. You'll have this to reflect on in years to come.
Go through the big newspaper ads and make your plan of attack on Black Friday. (I DO NOT subscribe to being that loon in line for store openings directly after a turkey dinner. Have a nice sleep, wake up, drink coffee. 90% of that shit will still be there.)
Put up your Christmas tree.
My manager has a shit-ton of ugly holiday sweaters and she wears them from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. It's appalling really, but I suspect that she organizes them all on Thanksgiving day.
Plan on watching certain movies, either holiday classics, or better yet, something un-holiday, like film noir or Star Wars.
Bake Christmas cookies, or make fudge or some other holiday baking thing.
Don't dwell so much. You ARE with family. You and your husband are your family and you're blessed to have each other.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:58 AM on September 23, 2013
Volunteer some other time of year. The world turns out to scoop stuffing to the homeless on Thanksgiving. Or, call the local animal shelter, perhaps they need someone to help out with the animals. Walk dogs, or feed cats or whatever.
Make your own Thanksgiving rituals.
Perhaps you have French Toast and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Or do your 5k.
Sit down with your husband and discuss what you are truly thankful for. Get a nice blank page book and each year jot them down. You'll have this to reflect on in years to come.
Go through the big newspaper ads and make your plan of attack on Black Friday. (I DO NOT subscribe to being that loon in line for store openings directly after a turkey dinner. Have a nice sleep, wake up, drink coffee. 90% of that shit will still be there.)
Put up your Christmas tree.
My manager has a shit-ton of ugly holiday sweaters and she wears them from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. It's appalling really, but I suspect that she organizes them all on Thanksgiving day.
Plan on watching certain movies, either holiday classics, or better yet, something un-holiday, like film noir or Star Wars.
Bake Christmas cookies, or make fudge or some other holiday baking thing.
Don't dwell so much. You ARE with family. You and your husband are your family and you're blessed to have each other.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:58 AM on September 23, 2013
You live in a part of the world where there are Thanksgiving Day high school football games! Even if you have no interest in football, they are great fun. Outside in the crisp air, yelling your heart out for the local crew is even more fun when you don't care who wins. Snacks available and often there's a bit of a craft area and baked goods for that last minute pie.
You've done your bit to be social and experience the greater community and now you can go home and enjoy the rest of the day as you wish.
posted by pentagoet at 6:18 AM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
You've done your bit to be social and experience the greater community and now you can go home and enjoy the rest of the day as you wish.
posted by pentagoet at 6:18 AM on September 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
For the Turkey Trot option: the Manchester Road Race is pretty much the granddaddy of all Turkey Trots, is <1>
Which reminds me, time to go register. I have a family record to defend...
posted by jeffjon at 6:47 AM on September 23, 2013
Which reminds me, time to go register. I have a family record to defend...
posted by jeffjon at 6:47 AM on September 23, 2013
Maybe you have friends who are also on their own who'd like to get together. I often do that, as I also live far from family, and have created a new family of friends. Whatever you do, start creating your own tradition/ ritual. Serve champagne, or a special cocktail. Write down things you're thankful for. Take a picture of the feast. My son really misses a few side dishes I always make. Maybe watch particular movies, or always play specific music. A radio station near you probably plays Alice's Restaurant, which is corny but fun. You could even start a tradition of going to a particular B&B in driving distance - over time, it would feel a little like family.
posted by theora55 at 7:18 AM on September 23, 2013
posted by theora55 at 7:18 AM on September 23, 2013
What about an "orpan's" gathering, ie having friends in a similar position over? Doesn't have to be the full-on dinner - you could do post-dinner drinks (that way people can decompress after being with their families, too). Or you could start a new tradition of being the people in your friend circle who host Thanksgiving.
posted by lunasol at 8:16 AM on September 23, 2013
posted by lunasol at 8:16 AM on September 23, 2013
We have all of out friends over very late Wednesday night and have Midnight Thanksgiving which ends sometime around 3am. On T day proper we sleep in and eat leftovers while watching the parade and dog show.
I'd also suggest spending time volunteering that day in the local rest home. There are people there who wish their family would visit them, too.
posted by haplesschild at 9:04 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'd also suggest spending time volunteering that day in the local rest home. There are people there who wish their family would visit them, too.
posted by haplesschild at 9:04 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
have you been to OSV for dinner ever? it's not the fanciest, but it's close and the food is good. looks like they're still taking reservations. it also looks like they have some events planned for that week as well.
posted by ps_im_awesome at 9:17 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ps_im_awesome at 9:17 AM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oops, looks like I mangled my post above. Meant to say something like: The Manchester Road Race has ~15000 runners, cheering crowds pretty much the whole way, countless bands, sometimes plane flyovers, etc. Lots of fun to cheer up a "down" day. Also, less than an hour from you, which might meet your "farther away" requirement?
posted by jeffjon at 9:59 AM on September 23, 2013
posted by jeffjon at 9:59 AM on September 23, 2013
Late getting back, but: Ruthless Bunny's suggestion of calling an animal shelter to see if they might like some help is good, but also consider contacting an old folks' home or a hospital --- maybe you could read to someone for an hour or two, or just nod and listen to someone who's lonely.
Alternatively, if you want to cook but not for just the two of you: contact the chaplain at the nearest military base, there's usually a lot of young soldiers and sailors who'd love a home-cooked holiday meal, instead of spending the holiday in the base messhall.
posted by easily confused at 12:28 PM on September 25, 2013
Alternatively, if you want to cook but not for just the two of you: contact the chaplain at the nearest military base, there's usually a lot of young soldiers and sailors who'd love a home-cooked holiday meal, instead of spending the holiday in the base messhall.
posted by easily confused at 12:28 PM on September 25, 2013
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I have never tried this, but I've heard that universities are always interested in sending the foreign exchange students to American homes for Thanksgiving, which is such a unique holiday in North America. So perhaps you could call Clark or Holy Cross or one of the other regional universities to gather a few people at your table for whom this would be an interesting cultural experience, as well as a fun social opportunity. Maybe this would not sit well with the introvert temperament, but you could host several people at the same time to keep conversation flowing.
posted by Miko at 8:40 PM on September 22, 2013