I’m not cooking for Thanksgiving: We’re going to Disney!
I threatened last year not to cook for Thanksgiving but still ended up working all day on a giant meal for my little family that took all of 30 minutes to eat.
We didn’t have any visitors last year, which made it even sadder. Plus, Michael hates turkey so no matter how juicy or golden brown you manage to make your bird he would rather have pasta. And that doesn’t make you feel good after cooking all day.
So this year, I am just NOT doing it. We have family coming, and I proposed that instead of sitting around overeating and watching football that we take the kids to Disneyland as an early Christmas present.
Let me clarify, I feel like we are still celebrating Thanksgiving. I have many, many thing to be thankful for. I am just not cooking all day for a meal that takes 30 minutes to eat.
And I am thrilled with the Disneyland plan for several reasons.
No. 1 — I’m not having the stress of planning, shopping and making sure that turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, beans and rolls are all finished at the same time. Instead, we are having lunch with the Disney Princesses Thanksgiving Day in Ariel’s Grotto – seafood and steak.
No 2. – The grandparents are giving the kids an experience for Christmas instead of just “stuff.” I couldn’t afford to take a family of five to Disneyland. (It’s more expensive than Disneyworld, which is so annoying!) Michael hates Disney parks and would have fought even going. So this way our family doesn’t have to worry about shipping presents to the kids, they get to spend wonderful time with the kids and enjoy Disney.
Have you ever said screw it on Thanksgiving and not cooked? Did you eat out? Did you do another activity with your family? Would you miss not having a big meal or being at your house?
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128 comments Add your comment
Will Not Cook
November 20th, 2012
11:50 am
Your story is refreshing. I will be with my family enjoying the day but will not cook. For the money we spend at the grocer, we will have a nice Thanksgiving dining out & plan to tip well. Some of our leftovers end up getting thrown away so that is money in the trash. We will not shop on Thursday night as this is tacky and gluttony for the stores to be open on Thanksgiving Day. It does take all day to cook/clean and find the low key time better spent with the family. So many people think they are expected to follow tradition. I believe that is where a lot of stress comes from. I will decorate over the weekend and will cook on Christmas as I do enjoy cooking that day. To each his own and have a wonderful time in LA.
Orlando
November 20th, 2012
11:59 am
Mayhem, I like you…… Stay just the way you are…. Happy Thanksgiving.
E
November 20th, 2012
12:02 pm
Commented earlier, but reading some of the comments…want to add a different perspective. Thanksgiving, 2011 for my family was spent at a hospital, with our loved one, who for as long as we could remember had been the architect, the chef, the center of all of our family events. Only last year, she was the one deathly ill, trying to recover from a major surgery. So, I cooked dinner and took it to the hospital. She was way too sick to eat and my family was simply nibbling as we were too worried and sad to try to eat. Sadly, she passed away less than a week later. So, what’s the point of my story here? First, there are so many people (such as doctors, nurses, med techs, etc) who work caring for those who are ill during the holidays, losing time away from there families to do a job that is critical, tiring and often thankless. I had a brand new appreciation after last year for those who have to work no matter what day it is. I am so abundantly thankful for them, for what they do that we ALL benefit from daily, whether it’s a holiday or not. My second point is this: it doesn’t matter HOW you celebrate on Thursday (either at home over a traditional meal, or at a restaurant, or at Disney). It matters that you spend those precious moments with family and friends because that is what truly matters, and the memories that you make in those moments. So, enjoy those precious moments. This year, we will be together in a very different setting that Thanksgiving, 2011, with hearts heavier, but really feeling a sense of gratitude for simply being together as a family and for all the amazing memories that our loved one left us with. So, wherever you are, Happy Thankgiving and simply be thankful.
FCM
November 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
” Plus, Michael hates turkey so no matter how juicy or golden brown you manage to make your bird he would rather have pasta. And that doesn’t make you feel good after cooking all day.
”
Guy Fieri’s family always puts pasta on the table. Why make MG eat turkey if he doesn’t like it.
WOOT for you! Although there still seems to be a martyr/guilt tone to NOT cooking the dinner. My family went to the beach one year. We had a NICE townhome with a decent kitchen. We still went to the main dining area at the golf club to eat dinner. I had ham not turkey.
You could cater the dinner even if you were home. Why does it have to be YOU in the kitchen?
My 2 kids are planning menus with Grandma and helping to do more of the savory items not just the sweet ones this year.
FCM
November 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
BTW with restaurants/airlines and other things open on holidays yes, they can (and do) require you to work the holiday. I have worked in both of those industries and in retail. What the Management usually does is lotto out which Holiday you will work based on senority. Everyone had to work at least one (thanksgving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, new years day)…so you bid for which you were willing to give up. Black Friday both retail and restaurant required FULL staff to report. I usually started at the retail store at 5AM and left my waitstaff shift about 2AM but the tips were AMAZING!!!!
Mario Batali, Mike Symon and some other chefs announced that the are closed Thanksgiving and Christmas to let their staff have time with family.
My brother usually tells anyone in his restaurant (staff wise) that has no friends/family to have the holiday with bring a bottle of wine and come to his house. We have had many a good time with the restaurant people over a Turkey (or Wild Turkey!).
Buckeye
November 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
Enter your comments here
Buckeye
November 20th, 2012
12:25 pm
Go to Disney on Friday.
Teresa is un-American and I’m sure voted for Obama.
Traditional America is dying thanks to selfish Mom’s like Teresa.
Best of luck educating your kids, sending them to college and retiring.
Buckeye
November 20th, 2012
12:30 pm
An I feel sorry for your future son-in-laws unless gay marriage is on the books by then in all 50 states.
Jo
November 20th, 2012
12:33 pm
Good for you, not bowing to tradition. In my small family of 3, it’s impossible to put on a feast — there’s too much waste of food only one person may insist on for Thanksgiving. So yeah, spend a ton of money, spend a day cooking everyone’s favorites, only to have it over in 30 minutes or less and tossed out 3 days later. Whatever for? Sure, would be wonderful to spend the day in the kitchen with friends and/or family making a big feast…. but if all your family is out of state and you’re on your own…. I say change it up and enjoy every minute. The naysayers are just jealous.
Victoria Elizabeth Catherine
November 20th, 2012
12:34 pm
Are you people freaking serious? This woman is allowed to spend the holiday, any one of them…ANY WAY SHE SEES FIT! The only laws broken here are your self-righteous, bible belt, antiquated, you’re wrong if you dont think-act-speak the way I do laws. I was just waiting for someone to associate a personal decision on one’s own family to be a gateway to your political-racist-misinformed rants, and voila, no disappointment here! I’m so sick of people who mount their high horses to bash another person’s choices & ideologies. Daylight saints you are, but before your point your judgmental fingers at others, make sure your filthy hands have been cleaned first!
North Fulton
November 20th, 2012
12:35 pm
I think it’s a great idea. Like some other posters mentioned, Thanksgiving week is one of the most crowded times of the year. Be sure to get to the park at least 30 minutes or more before it opens. You will get so much done. Otherwise, you will spend your day standing in lines. Use fastpass and avoid the park that has extra magic hours. We go (to Disney World) between Thanksgiving and Christmas because the crowds aren’t too bad then. Hope you have lots of fun!
Swoopin
November 20th, 2012
12:43 pm
Your choice is your choice, but it seems to me that you singled out literally the only holiday in our culture that isn’t fundamentally corrupted to screw up. A lot of people around the world don’t have much to be thankful for, and don’t have the “burden” of having friends and family over for an enormous meal and conversation.
Just an odd choice for a holiday to make a point on. It is the one holiday that is undeniably good about our culture, and the one holiday we have the right idea about how to celebrate it.
livininatl
November 20th, 2012
12:44 pm
Victoria Elizabeth Catherine…..stereotypes are wrong…even when you stereotype Christians.
missnadine
November 20th, 2012
12:52 pm
WTF? you write 2 blogs yesterday about all the work and effort, and today you just gave up. For the life of me I don’t see how a Thanksgiving dinner takes ALL day in the kitchen. Your husband seems like many of the men I used to travel with overseas – not a pretty sight when they get away from their controlling wives for a few days LOL
Mayhem
November 20th, 2012
1:45 pm
@Orlando – Thank you!!!!! That was nice to hear!!!
wooooo
November 20th, 2012
2:02 pm
I guess I’m just lucky. After reading this I called my 94 year old grandmother and asked her what she and my mom thought about cooking on Thanksgiving. They loved it. They enjoyed having family together and in my opinion their efforts were not a sexist gender role but a very selfless act. It has never been about being a woman, its about a PERSON sacrificing their time and effort for their family and being happy to do it.
Theresa can do whatever she wants for Thanksgiving and I don’t care either way. I will surely be thankful for my family, the food, the football, and the fact that I have loved ones who will happily give half of their day to make a wonderful meal.
motherjanegoose
November 20th, 2012
2:17 pm
I passed a Burger King today that said, “We will be open on Thanksgiving.” First time I saw that. I cannot believe the rude comments here. WHERE is it mandated that TWG must have a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner? Is it in the same book as those who are tossing out Christmas Tree, in favor of a Holiday Tree? Who cares if they eat a grilled cheese sandwich and drink Gatorade. What difference does it make?
I put on a big spread for the holidays for many years. Sometimes, it is nice to have a change of pace. In my book, whomever wants the traditional celebration can get things moving and I will be there. My daughter and I visited Plymouth Massachussetts ( sp?) one summer and many of the things we might think are traditional …fooey!
motherjanegoose
November 20th, 2012
2:21 pm
Last year, I was in Montana and an SLP came to me to tell me this story,
” Our daughter in law is from the south. We went to visit them last Thanksgiving and it was the first holiday we spent with her. She fixed MACARONI AND CHEESE…CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?” I asked if it was from the box. “Well no, it was an old family recipe but WHO EATS THAT FOR THANKSGIVING?” I thought it was hilarious. I hope they did not have grits for breakfast too :). Traditions are different in different households. We always drank tomato juice for Thanksgiving. What was up with that? I have never served it.
Orlando
November 20th, 2012
2:31 pm
Believe it or not TWG, you are a role model. And there are plenty of ladies who follow you and heed your advise. That is all I was saying. Yes, it’s your right to spend the holiday anyway you choose, But just remember, words are taken, and ran with, and often the wrong way.
Kat
November 20th, 2012
2:32 pm
Some people would love to be home with their families at the holiday, and cannot do it because they are soldiers, law enforcement, firefighters, medical personnel, etc. If TWG can have her family together, doing something they enjoy, AND someone else will pay for it, I say go and have a great time!
TWG does not only write articles about what she is doing; she is (was) suggesting lists to follow for the big day. I honestly never thought about putting everything down on paper like that along with serving dishes. I don’t NEED that information about planning for this year, but I bet it sticks in my mind for when I do.
non committal mind reader
November 20th, 2012
2:41 pm
turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, beans and rolls are all finished at the same time.
Poor poor pitiful TWG. What a waste of a blog. Don’t like turkey? Buy or cook a ham or roast beef! There is nothing cast in stone that says you MUST make a turkey. Potatoes, mashed or sweet, take virtually no time to make. A turkey or ham takes virtually no time (the oven takes care of that, all you have to do is prep it). Rolls do have to be timed, but they are the only critical item. Pecan pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate pie… none of these take much time either. There is nothing here that keeps anyone in the kitchen all day. Yes, it cooks all day, but you don’t have to be in the kitchen while a turkey or pie cooks.
non committal mind reader
November 20th, 2012
2:45 pm
The only laws broken here are your self-righteous, bible belt, antiquated, you’re wrong if you dont think-act-speak the way I do laws.
and follows with:
I was just waiting for someone to associate a personal decision on one’s own family to be a gateway to your political-racist-misinformed rants, and voila, no disappointment here! I’m so sick of people who mount their high horses to bash another person’s choices & ideologies.
Hypocrite much?
missnadine
November 20th, 2012
2:50 pm
we used to have meat/veggie fondue followed by a chocolocate fondue, and not the choco fondue crap you buy in the store, but a great spread with excellent filet. Choco fondue was made with aToblerone base, and was great. Not a huge strees either.. everyone participated. If people want the stress so much, then don’t bit*h about it. Readers here have shown how to reduce stress.
FCM
November 20th, 2012
3:49 pm
@MJG your grilled cheese comment made me grin.
My 2nd Christmas married we had a baby and went to see his family out of state. We both had to work the day after Christmas, so we left just after breakfast to drive home. NOTHING was open to get more than gas…couldn’t find a waffle house even on the treck home…not a McD’s or anything.
We hit Atlanta and I said well I am glad to be near home. Well he called my parents b/c it was going to be around 8:30 – 9:00 before we got into our area. He asked them would they please keep the light on. My parents had gone to visit/have Christmas dinner with my brother earlier in the day so they did not have any dinner on hand. They baby was still on baby food/formula so she was fed.
He had felt so bad about that long trip and me being away from my family at holidays for the first time ever that he took me right to their house.
I was so tired and hungry when I got there. My Mom went in and made me a grilled cheese sandwich. (I doubt we had the Gatorade, probably tap water). That was the BEST grilled cheese I have ever had, and one of the most memorable Christmas “dinners” I am likely to ever experiece.
DB
November 20th, 2012
8:03 pm
@FCM: One Thanksgiving, our family moved from one town to another — my dad had been loaned a large truck, similar to a big U-Haul, but he could only use it on Wednesday and Thursday, because the company needed it on Friday. So we packed up on Thursday, and early Thanksgiving morning, we drove two hours away to our new home and started unpacking. This was 40 years ago — NO restaurants were open on Thanksgiving, but for some reason, Arby’s was. So we had Arby’s for Thanksgiving dinner. I can remember being perched on the fireplace hearth chomping down on that sandwich — it was the best tasting thing I had ever put in my mouth, we were so hungry!! And we STILL talk about that Thanksgiving!
Maj
November 21st, 2012
12:10 am
Wow – not sure why some people are having such a strong negative reactions to your decision. I say do whatever is best for you and your family. Let’s not judge. Be thankful for what you have and cherish your family – who cares where you are or what you eat!!
FCM
November 21st, 2012
10:18 am
@ DB thank you for sharing… I am sure we both have had countless “traditional” holiday celebrations before and sense but your Arby’s and my grilled cheese will always stand out. I don’t think it is because they were not traditonal, I think it is because we were truly appreciative what we had.
I will say that one year (it may have been the same year as the grilled cheese) I had the family to our house for Thanksgiving. I made a pork roast and when my Mom told everyone my menu my dad and brother went bonkers! My brother went out and got a turkey, cooked it, and brought it as his “pot luck” offering to the table. I no longer host Thanksgiving.
I do host Christmas sometimes. We usually do a Prime Rib. Dad does gripe a bit about it b/c he is not big on steak…he wants ham (and then again at Easter). However the rest of us want Prime Rib so we win.
That does make me wonder though….why certain foods not being on table (I assume Disney will Turkey somewhere if TWG really wants to eat that) gets people so nuts. My folks have always done New Years Pork Roast, Easter Ham, Memorial Day & Labor Day smoked chicken, fish & pork, 4th of July Ribs, Hot Dogs, Hamburger, Thanksgving Turkey (no other meat dish), and Christmas Prime Rib (over many objections from Dad). Are most families like that?
Happy
November 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
I’m so sorry some people have such bad thoughts and feelings about someone else’s decision to go to Disney instead of cooking for Thanksgiving. You would think their own personal meal was in jeopardy. Have you been to Disney? It’s truly Magical. While we did not go to Disney for Thanksgiving this year, we did not have a “traditional” celebration. We went on a wonderful Thanksgiving Cruise. We spent four days in the Caribbean sun. It was so spectacular we are picking a new sunny tropical destination and cruising again next year for thanksgiving. Try it, you might just like it.