What can I do to make my first Thanksgiving alone a great one?
This year I will be spending Thanksgiving home alone. My family and friends have already made prior arrangements in which it is not an option for me to be included, so it will just be my cats in me.
So far I am thinking that renting a couple holiday themed movies might be fun, and cooking will definitely be fun – I would love some ideas for which movies, and what should I cook that will be reasonable for one person? What other activities will make me feel not as lonely? I’m used to having big family events, so this will be difficult.
I know there is a lot of time to go until Thanksgiving, but planning early will not hurt anything!
Fireball: err of course I want to go see them, it just is not an option (as mentioned in my original details).
Sorry to hear that but why weren’t you invited? I think it’s rude of your family to just pass over you like that and honestly would tell them so. Besides that i would just order some Chinese or buy myself a nice lobster tail call up a single friend and maybe drink up a bottle of wine or two. Good stuff! Have the friend bring a nice game and a movie with her and you can maybe make some snacks to munch on all night….I love to make potato skins but something fancy like stuffed mushrooms will work or even cold shrimp and cocktail sauce. Deviled eggs are a must and only take a sec to make.
You can help feed the homeless. Sorry, this will be a difficult time for you.
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Spend it by donating some time in your day to an organization serving the meal to the less fortunate. Then you will not be alone in the least. ; )
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Think again. Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen or shelter.
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First, a turkey cutlet sauteed with a pecan crust sounds good to me. with a creamy pasta, spinach cranberry salad… a nice white or rose’ hmmm, taste in movies, ‘the homecoming’ too sappy for you? for the cats?
consider volunteering at a holiday meal for the homeless-you would be surprised how much you will be appreciated, and actually it is fun to be in the company of the other volunteers. also, not all meals are served on thanksgiving day, some are served a day or so earlier so volunteers who have family obligations can be there
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When i was single and far away from family, i used to open my home to others with no other place to go as well. every one would bring a side, i would do the turkey. it was great fun. you could also treat yourself to dinner out and a movie. of course staying home alone has its benefits and luxuries too. you can stay in your pj’s all day. get a good chick flick or two (if u like those) , cook a wonderful dinner and enjoy!!
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Thanksgiving today is about remembering all the things you are thankful for throughout your life. Out of this exercise should come the desire to bless others as you have been blessed. There are many organizations in which you can volunteer to serve the less fortunate, such as a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter, or you can invite the other single people, with no family to you place for a traditional meal. This holiday is about family and friends.
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Sure it’s good to volunteer, but that’s not for everyone. If you want to watch movies, pick your favorite series, like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Disney, and have a marathon. Wear your pajamas all day. Have a sort of brunch/nibble plate for the morning.
Turkey comes in pieces as well as whole and in cutlets. I love to make cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries. It’s also not hard to make mashed potatoes or veggies for one – leftovers are one of my favorite things about the day after holidays.
There may be a moment or two when you feel lonely, but it’s okay. I spent a Thanksgiving abroad once while I was studying in Europe and I missed my family more at Thanksgiving than Christmas. If you feel yourself getting down, console yourself by using it as a reminder of how much you care about them and that you’ll be happy to see them when they get back. It’s temporary, I promise. Then go about the business of having fun. I like to sing out loud when I get lonely because it’s not something I can do with others around.
Good luck, I hope you have a good holiday!
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just enjoy your peace and quiet. i think the movie and dinner will actually turn out good. thats just me though.
whatever happens…have a good thanksgiving!
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good grief you dont want to go see them? thats too sad…get something from a deli the night before and eat it the next day and read books or watch a movie..
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turkey dresssing
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On Reba it was for Christmas though, she baked cookies and then took them with her to feed the homeless. You will not be alone, or have time. Plus you can get a good feeling from helping others. A true meaning of Thanksgiving. If you are not to tired after watch your fav. holiday movie.
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I have experience at this. Decorate with Thanksgiving things, play fun holiday music, plan to watch good holiday TV shows and movies. Treat yourself good, have fun, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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I have had many occasions in life to be away from friends and family during a holiday.
The key is not to see it as being left out but "hey, this is cool". You are independant. You are a great person and doing what you have to do…… someday you will have the big deal again and probably appreciate it 10 times more.
Watch something that you feel like watching… something funny. Something Christmas related would be good. The season is beginning and you will probably see them then. Light some holiday vanilla/cinamon candles and such…… you may be missing Thanksgiving but you are roaring into the holidays!
Though family is awesome I have had some great holidays alone here and there and it does make me appreciate things and laugh.
Once I was home alone years ago and had no food on Thanksgiving and family was 3000 miles away. Nothing was open except Chinese delivery. So I ordered a duck (my turkey!) and all of the sides. I had the best time "roughing it".
One Christmas I planned ahead and made myself a huge pot of stew, had snacks galore and actually took time to make deviled eggs. A treat and when people started calling it was nice…… fed well and just hanging out. Odds are if you make a feast someone will call and want to join in.
Point is that you will have many Thanksgivings in life. The one you spend alone with your cats will be the one that you will always remember. People just go through the getting together year after year and don’t really give thought to the whole reason. This will make you appreciate things every day of your life…. really.
But above all if you like to cook make yourself something great!
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Why be reasonable? Cook the whole kit-n-caboodle! Get a little turkey or possibly just a breast and roast it just like every other year. Make all the family traditional dishes: greenbean casserole, stuffing, and make sure you make yourself a pumkin pie. Sure you’ll have left overs for a week, but who doesn’t on thanksgiving. Not skimping on the traditional dishes will help you feel more connected with your loved ones over the holiday.
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Sorry to hear that but why weren’t you invited? I think it’s rude of your family to just pass over you like that and honestly would tell them so. Besides that i would just order some Chinese or buy myself a nice lobster tail call up a single friend and maybe drink up a bottle of wine or two. Good stuff! Have the friend bring a nice game and a movie with her and you can maybe make some snacks to munch on all night….I love to make potato skins but something fancy like stuffed mushrooms will work or even cold shrimp and cocktail sauce. Deviled eggs are a must and only take a sec to make.
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definitely make yourself comfortable
cookup the food dish thats your absolute favorite
rent the movies that you love
when it comes to situations like these it’s best to feel comfortable
like for you, you said you like big family events and i know this will be hard for you
but just be creative maybe you can invite a close friend over a day before or something to hang out.
good luck! and hope you have a happy thanksgiving!
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my brother is in the airforce and when he first joined he had to spend his first thanksgiving alone.
The suggestions to volunteer at a soup kitchen are good, but keep in mind, soup kitchens and shelters get LOTS of volunteers for holidays, so call early and tell them you’re comming.
You could also try volunteering at a nursing home visiting residents who’s families can’t be there. If you have fun performance skills (like juggling, playing an instrument, etc.) you might be able to to a Thanksgiving Day themed perfomance at a local children’s hospital. Again, you’ll probably want to call ahead.
If you live anywhere near the state of Maine, you could always drive up to L.L. Bean’s main store (they never close!) and start Christmas shopping.
Happy Days!
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