Thanksgiving Sadness, any ideas?

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Xx_OneLove_Xx

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Here's a couple of pointers.

Add to # of people: Is there any friends of yours that you've talked to that said that they aren't gonna be able to go to their families Thanksgiving? Well, this would be the ultimate time to invite them. It would not only let your family see who you're hanging around, and get to know a couple of your friends a little better... but also it would show the goodness that's in your heart by doing so.

Games: I don't know why, but whenever you get a group of family and friends together, they always want to look for a little something to keep the party going without Aunt Talitha doing a striptease from all the White Russians she drank. Some fun games to put in for Thanksgiving are = Twister, Chess (if they're the intellectual type), Monopoly, Poker, and the ever famous Gin Rummy.

People dealing with feelings of loss: Got a member of the family that passed away recently? Well how about a slight bit of redecorating? First, I'd say remove all pictures in the main rooms of the house that include said family member, and replace them with different pictures on the wall. For people in mourning, seeing such things only increases the emotion of longing to see that person again. Second, put away all memmorabillia (sp?) that's connected to said person of family. This way, once again you are reinforcing the positive effects of people who are at a loss.



When my mom passed away, all the responsibilities for holidays fell onto MY shoulders. I made those rules above and followed them on the first Thanksgiving after my mom had passed away. I thought things were going to be solemn. Boy, was I wrong! Everyone had a blast. Not to mention, they stayed up until 3:30am playing Gin Rummy, so that was a real good sign. After Christmas time however, I decided to turn those responsibilities over to my sister though... I just couldn't feel like replacing my mom as the Holidays' matriarch.

Anyway, I hope the above tips help... they sure did with me. :D
 
I know how you feel, when my dad died our xmas was weird and empty. But we got through it. It's always the first holiday that's the most difficult, because you are so used that he is going to be there.

The thing I believe you should do is, have the thanksgiving party, remember him, have fun. Even though it's different it can be fun if you make it fun :happysad:
 
Our house ended up being the place to go for friends who had no one else with whom to celebrate the holidays. Fellow students, co-workers, neighbors and friends were invited for a holiday potluck. We'd do the turkey (or ham or whatever), and everyone else would bring the side dishes.

Having a few games available also helps with those potentially awkward moments while folks are getting to know each other. Cranium, Scene It, Balderdash, etc. Creativity is rewarded, laughs are shared, and hopefully a good time was had by all.

Good luck, darkling8. Like others have said, the first holiday will probably be the hardest.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. We won't be able to play games or go bowling though, it is me, mom, dad and an 84 year old great aunt. I wouldn't have been bummed at all if it was more than 4 of us.
But I am trying to look at it this way, I have a great family (my parents have been married for 36 yrs), I have a place to live, food to eat, a job and some good friends so maybe it will be a tiny Thanksgiving but I have a lot to give thanks for.
 
I've always had a small (compared to most) Thanksgiving. I'm an only child, none of my parents (I have a couple different sets from divorices) can seem to stay together so the number of ppl that would want to sit around and have dinner together normally don't outnumber 5 or 6. We normally have dinner, watch some football and then go to the movies. There are a couple of family freindly movies out right now. I'm not sure if your aunt is able to sit for that long but it's an idea.
If you aren't feeling in the Thanksgiving mood you could also made a non traditional meal. I know some people who do lobster and steak every year. We did fajitas one year when it was just my mom and I.

Whatever you do have a Happy Thanksgiving Darkling!
 
Okay it is a double post but it is an update.

So mom and pops and great aunt and I had a sedate but yummy meal. My great aunt told stories for awhile so that was cool, she did all kinds of stuff when she was young like work for Western Union in San Francisco and they sent her all over the country.

Then Friday we went to Gainesville and a part of the family I don't get to see much (I have a huge family being southern and all) had a big thanksgiving feast complete with a roaring fire, beer and college football. Woot, only LSU sucked and their coach sucked and totally ruined the SEC's chance for participating in the Championship.

Then Saturday totally rocked too. the Gators played a near flawless game. They say Superman man wears Tebow pajamas. He broke another record, I am telling you this is his year for the Heisman even if he is a sophomore. Most of the country didn't see his first touchdown due to the KU vs Tenn game but it was fan-fucking-tastic.

So it is now Sunday and I am back and I had fun and now am relaxing, yay!:)
 
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