What is YOUR Favorite Part of Thanksgiving Dinner -- And Why?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

Many people know that here in the USA, our Thanksgiving holiday is coming up soon. As I valiantly fought my way through the crowds at Costco pushing carts piled high, I got to wondering what parts of the traditional meal people enjoy most.

And so, here's a fun little poll (multiple choice with visible answers) asking people to reveal what their very favorites are!

This might also be very helpful in determining which members here we need to "gently" get ahead of in line or "subtly distract" if we want to get ample amounts of what we like best -- before said people clear them out.

If you're not in the USA, don't celebrate Thanksgiving, or have never had this kind of dinner, feel free to share your thoughts anyway! The poll can't cover every possibility, so write-in candidates, thoughts, and experiences are always welcome!

Here's to wishing everyone a very healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Lynx]

The chit chat.

My family has a lot of good cooks. Don't get me wrong. In any other setting the food would be a major attraction. But at one of my family dinners, the conversation is still better.

Aside from that, just whatever they have to cook is fine with me. It's always really good. Smoked turkey, deep fried turkey in peanut oil, deviled eggs, loaded mashed potatoes, it's always all delicious.

Except the coleslaw. I can do without that. But there's always plenty of other stuff to eat.

 

[seoulsearch]

The chit chat.

My family has a lot of good cooks. Don't get me wrong. In any other setting the food would be a major attraction. But at one of my family dinners, the conversation is still better.

Aside from that, just whatever they have to cook is fine with me. It's always really good. Smoked turkey, deep fried turkey in peanut oil, deviled eggs, loaded mashed potatoes, it's always all delicious.

Except the coleslaw. I can do without that. But there's always plenty of other stuff to eat.

Yes -- of course you are right -- and I was going to put an option for "The Time With Loved Ones," etc.

But I was thinking then most everyone would say that, and how the real meaning of the holiday is to be thankful and spend time with family, etc.

Which of course, is all true.

But is it so terrible that for just one little thread...

I wanted to talk about the food?

I've spent many holidays alone due to distance -- one Thanksgiving, I drove to another state to visit an inmate I was corresponding with. Boy was it an ordeal because one of the guards gave me a hard time, but that's another story for a different time. I was there almost the entire visitation time (about 5 hours,) and during that time, I think only 3 other inmates had visits. Talk about being lost and forgotten.

And when I was finally allowed in, my friend I had a Thanksgiving meal of packaged burritos, candy bars, and Fanta pop from the vending machines.

There have been many times when I've missed out on a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner -- and while yes, the company can be wonderful and counts more than anything, the past few days, I couldn't help but think about the food.

 

[Westward]

Cheesecake all the way for me

 

[Karlon]

food, fun, football

 

[RodB651]

I'll be focused on the food first, then the conversation.

Pecan pie and or red velvet cake with coffee for the win!

 

[Lynx]

Yes -- of course you are right -- and I was going to put an option for "The Time With Loved Ones," etc.

But I was thinking then most everyone would say that, and how the real meaning of the holiday is to be thankful and spend time with family, etc.

Which of course, is all true.

But is it so terrible that for just one little thread...

I wanted to talk about the food?

I've spent many holidays alone due to distance -- one Thanksgiving, I drove to another state to visit an inmate I was corresponding with. Boy was it an ordeal because one of the guards gave me a hard time, but that's another story for a different time. I was there almost the entire visitation time (about 5 hours,) and during that time, I think only 3 other inmates had visits. Talk about being lost and forgotten.

And when I was finally allowed in, my friend I had a Thanksgiving meal of packaged burritos, candy bars, and Fanta pop from the vending machines.

There have been many times when I've missed out on a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner -- and while yes, the company can be wonderful and counts more than anything, the past few days, I couldn't help but think about the food.

Yes, well... I DID get around to the food eventually.

 

[Magenta]

Here's to wishing everyone a very healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you! I likewise hope you have a memorable time with loved ones and plenty of delicious dishes prepared to perfection. Our Thanksgiving was last month. My daughter lives with her aunt, who would normally prep the dinner, but she was on a cruise at the time, so I spent what seemed like an inordinate amount of money on à la carte feast dishes from Whole Paycheque. And it was worth it. Part of the theme of Thanksgiving is "plenty" so I made sure we would have lots of leftovers also, which did help fray the overall cost per serving down to what could be accepted as more reasonable under the circumstances than a first glance would allow. So we had mashed with sour cream and chives, turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, an amazing stuffing with sliced apples in it, sliced turkey breast, and, um, what was the vegetable? Heh, I can't remember. Green beans? Oh! And an assortment of roasted root veggies. I transferred most of it out of their respective boxes so I could transport it in a large lidded container that I brought my share of the leftovers home in. My daughter does not care for cranberries, nor pumpkin pie, so I did not buy either of those. She does like their miniature peanut butter cookies with chunks of dark chocolate, so I rarely show up without those... I will also add, that my daughter was born at a time in my life when I was in an inordinate amount of emotional pain and completely lost in terms of how we understand that word as Christians, and yet, all these years later, despite all the turmoil and uncertainty then, she remains a huge blessing in my life for which I am grateful. Seoul, you are one of the most interesting and engaging people here, but even aside from and beyond that, the kindness and consideration you show others is a beacon in this sometimes very dark world, and for that I am grateful also.

 

[Cameron143]

Cheesecake all the way for me

Hey...welcome back. Hope all is well.

 

[Cameron143]

I'll be focused on the food first, then the conversation.

Pecan pie and or red velvet cake with coffee for the win!

Agree. If someone can cook, I can find something to talk about.

 

[Westward]

Hey...welcome back. Hope all is well.

It worked itself out, thank you sir

 

[NightTwister]

Cranberry sauce with oranges has to be from the pit of hell.

 

[seoulsearch]

It worked itself out, thank you sir

We're glad to have you back!

 

[Cameron143]

We're glad to have you back!

I would have waited until after Thanksgiving to welcome him back and eaten his share of the cheesecake, but, yeah, mostly glad he is back.

 

[seoulsearch]

Thank you! I likewise hope you have a memorable time with loved ones and plenty of delicious dishes prepared to perfection. Our Thanksgiving was last month. My daughter lives with her aunt, who would normally prep the dinner, but she was on a cruise at the time, so I spent what seemed like an inordinate amount of money on à la carte feast dishes from Whole Paycheque. And it was worth it. Part of the theme of Thanksgiving is "plenty" so I made sure we would have lots of leftovers also, which did help fray the overall cost per serving down to what could be accepted as more reasonable under the circumstances than a first glance would allow. So we had mashed with sour cream and chives, turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, an amazing stuffing with sliced apples in it, sliced turkey breast, and, um, what was the vegetable? Heh, I can't remember. Green beans? Oh! And an assortment of roasted root veggies. I transferred most of it out of their respective boxes so I could transport it in a large lidded container that I brought my share of the leftovers home in. My daughter does not care for cranberries, nor pumpkin pie, so I did not buy either of those. She does like their miniature peanut butter cookies with chunks of dark chocolate, so I rarely show up without those... I will also add, that my daughter was born at a time in my life when I was in an inordinate amount of emotional pain and completely lost in terms of how we understand that word as Christians, and yet, all these years later, despite all the turmoil and uncertainty then, she remains a huge blessing in my life for which I am grateful. Seoul, you are one of the most interesting and engaging people here, but even aside from and beyond that, the kindness and consideration you show others is a beacon in this sometimes very dark world, and for that I am grateful also.

I'm so glad to hear that you were able to have such a scrumptious Thanksgiving!!

I'm sure at the time you had your daughter you had no way of knowing how things would turn out -- isn't it wonderful how God takes our most turbulent times, and turns them into blessings (albeit, after a long and bumpy ride!)

Blessings to you and your family, Lady Magenta!

And thank you so much for your kind words. Since I've always loved written communication, I'm always asking God how to use it to build more connection/more effectively stave off loneliness through this site, no matter what situation a person may be in.

While I do try really hard to try to understand where people are coming from... Fortunately, we still have enough trolls passing through the forum to keep my ornery side from ever going dormant!

 

[seoulsearch]

Cranberry sauce with oranges has to be from the pit of hell.

There he is!

I think we're at a point where a Food Discussion thread in the forums isn't quite official until @NightTwister shows up and:

1. Tells us he got another coffee maker, and/or:

2. Points out which food item(s) in the thread are straight from the pit of hell!

Congratulations, Ladies and Gentlemen!

This thread is now officially legit!

 

[Westward]

We're glad to have you back!

Hard to resist a tasty thread 🧵

 

[Mem]

Cranberry sauce with oranges has to be from the pit of hell.

I'll let you know if it happens to be on the menu while I'm there working.

 

[ForgiveMeGod]

Going to my aunts, grabbing a plate of food and sitting in the living room with the other men, pretending I care about the football game. Why, you ask? I am not a fan of family gatherings. So a way for me to ignore everyone is by going into the room where people are so focused on the game, that I’m like a ghost and not have to socialize, while I eat the food.

 

[Talljake]

Love the food, enjoy the company, but the underrated thing that some people overlook......stretchy pants. Like sweat pants. I think this year I'm skipping the jeans just to look silly with me sprawled out on the couch with them unbuttoned. I'm a 3 plate guy most years, sweatpants are ganna be my buddy this year. I'll be the joke at the table but the smart guy on the couch. I bet I hear a "man that was a good idea" or " I wish I thought of that"before the night is over. Im not the only one who looks like they're trying to impersonate a beached whale after all the food I eat. I'll be nice and cozy on that couch.