How Do You Observe Thanksgiving?

Pumpkins and gourds help set the tone for the day.

The Observant vs. the Indifferent

There are two groups of people when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving—the Observant and the Indifferent.

Those who keep Thanksgiving fall into sub-sets. Let’s call them The Innovators and the Firm-Minded Traditionalists. The Innovators are kitchen warriors willing to play Martha Stewart for a day.

Some are impish enough to replace the turkey with an Osso Buco fancified with a wild mushroom risotto bathed in a gremolata sauce. (With apologies to Aunt Nellie, they intentionally forgo the green Jello with the tiny marshmallows.)

The Firm-Minded Traditionalists

But Firm-Minded Traditionalists cling to the old ways. They keep the mashed potatoes, pure and simple like grandma used to make.

The Innovators add such goodies as Boursin cheese, a whole head of roasted garlic, half and half cream, and real butter to their spuds. This lends a gourmet touch, but might cause Uncle Ned to belt out: “What the hell’s wrong with the mashed potatoes this year?”

Gobble Till You Wobble

Carbs don’t count on Thanksgiving—or so it’s been said.

Among the holiday’s Indifferent are those who write off the day as just an opportunity to catch up on long-overdue household chores. A hat tip to the holiday event suits them just fine.

They’re like the guy I heard about, who headed for the backyard with a rake in his hand on Thanksgiving Day.

“Hey, Myrtle,” he shouted back to his wife in the kitchen, “I’m going outside to rake leaves. Just slap a slice of that deli turkey on a frozen pizza and call me when it’s ready.”