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Wednesday February 08, 2012

Thanksgiving Orphans Find A Home

Thanksgiving Orphans Find A Home


Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday and time for hanging with the fam...

But these days more and more people are making other plans. No doubt, the cost (and hassle) of flying is a total drag, and “complicated” family situations are also a factor – yup, divorces, strained relationships and just don’t feel like it have become qualifiers for doing it differently.

Alas, a new tradition -- Thanksgiving Orphans has arrived.

Here’s how it works:

Add a new member or members to your family – in-laws and stepchildren for example – and, add in some new dimensions that can result in the melding of traditions, and the creation of new traditions.

Take heed... to these guidelines to perhaps help ease in the Orphan(s) and ensure that the Host doesn’t take on more than is comfortably hospitable.

  • Whoever hosts Thanksgiving is only responsible for the turkey and place settings.
  • Everyone must bring one dish. Napkins are not a dish. Non-cooks are in charge of wine, dessert or dishes. Also – assign an orphan to to-go containers and maybe some plastic wrap!
  • As opposed to putting everyone on the spot about what they are thankful for, have everyone draw names and write a short paragraph about why they are thankful that so-and-so is in their life. (Discreet internal swapping of names is allowed.)
  • Take a holiday meal over to an Orphan who is stuck in the house.
  • For those who can’t bear the thought of traveling internationally and missing their turkey and stuffing, take a road trip within the U.S. and research a restaurant that serves Thanksgiving fare with all the trimmings.
  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen serving Thanksgiving dinner and celebrate your holiday on Friday. Not only with you feel good about helping others, you’ll get your groceries on major discount.
  • You might want to discuss the allocations of leftovers ahead of time. If there are a lot of peeps…maybe one of the Orphans bring a “back up bird” so everyone gets enough for Friday’s leftovers.

You’ve got it... no turkey is left behind.


Laura Folkl & Loren Greiff