Our ‘anything goes’ Thanksgiving potluck keeps it low-stress. Last year, we had tacos, and this year, someone’s bringing chicken wings.
In a refreshing take on Thanksgiving traditions, Rachel Garlinghouse shares her family’s journey towards a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday celebration. Initially, the family attempted to honor both sides of their heritage by preparing a traditional feast, only to find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of cooking and cleaning. The stress of creating a picture-perfect holiday led Garlinghouse to abandon the conventional approach in favor of an “anything goes” potluck style. This shift not only alleviated the pressure but also embraced the diverse culinary preferences of their guests, allowing each family to contribute their favorite dishes without the burden of coordination. For instance, last year’s taco bar was a hit, while this year, her sister will be bringing chicken wings alongside a fruit platter, showcasing the delightful variety that a potluck can offer.
Garlinghouse emphasizes comfort and ease over formality in every aspect of their Thanksgiving celebration. Gone are the days of dressing up in fancy attire; instead, guests are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, whether it’s yoga pants or casual graphic tees. This laid-back atmosphere extends to the dining setup as well, with fold-out tables and washable tablecloths replacing the traditional fine china. The focus is on creating a cozy environment where laughter and relaxation take center stage. With a fireplace crackling and a selection of music playing, Garlinghouse ensures that both adults and children have activities to enjoy, from board games to holiday-themed coloring sheets. The family also sticks to their usual lunchtime of 12:30 p.m., avoiding the hangry chaos that can arise from delayed meals. By redefining their Thanksgiving celebration, Garlinghouse not only simplifies the holiday but also fosters a sense of togetherness and joy that resonates through their home.
The author has opted for a low-key, nontraditional thanksgiving celebration.
Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse
A traditional thanksgiving celebration is too much work, especially for a busy family.
Now I host an “anything goes” potluck to help keep the day low-stress.
Last year, tacos were part of our spread. This year, my sister-in-law is bringing chicken wings.
As a family of six, we have found it easier to
host Thanksgiving
each year rather than travel.
In our first year of hosting, we made an effort to
honor the traditions
from both my husband’s side of the family and mine. However, we quickly realized this meant spending days before the Thanksgiving meal in the kitchen, prepping dish after dish, on top of days of cleaning and re-cleaning. The dishes always piled up, and by the time the Thanksgiving meal arrived, we were exhausted, feeling drained and grumpy.
The expectations for a
picture-perfect holiday
became too much, especially for our family with two working parents. So I quit doing it. Now we host an “anything goes” Thanksgiving.
I don’t stress about what everyone is bringing
Instead of our family doing all the cooking — plus the cleaning before and after the entertaining — every family that attends brings a few dishes of their choosing to share. Yes, our Thanksgiving is a potluck, and no, the foods don’t always coordinate. And that’s OK with me.
This year, my sister is purchasing chicken wings and bringing a fruit platter. Our family is making
our traditional
gluten-free sweet potato pies, as well as trying out a new recipe for s’mores cake. We will provide drinks, and my in-laws and parents will bring their own favorite dishes, likely more traditional Thanksgiving foods, but I’m not keeping track of what anyone is bringing.
Last year, we shook things up with a DIY
taco bar
. Really, anything goes. It’s up to our relatives what they bring, and I’m confident we’ll have plenty of food for all of us to enjoy. It doesn’t matter if they coordinate.
We don’t dress up
In the movies, holiday family dinners often involve everyone arriving in cozy sweaters and khaki pants, or a button-up shirt with a tie, or cocktail dresses and pearls. No, thanks.
Sure, I love the occasional excuse to dress up — but not when I’m hosting and not when I have to help four kids get ready. We’ve done it in the past, but this year my family can wear what they want. My kids are old enough to decide for themselves. If that turns out to be yoga pants and a sweater, so be it. I’ll be wearing my
favorite Christmas graphic tee
, jeans, and house slippers this year.
Guests are encouraged to show up in whatever makes them most comfortable. Who wants to wear tight clothes after gorging on a Thanksgiving feast anyway?
The table isn’t fancy
Since we’re hosting a meal for 15, including seven kids, one of whom is a toddler, we don’t set a fancy table. In fact, our tables and chairs are of the fold-out variety.
The author keeps her tablescape simple, opting for folding chairs and tables.
Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse
We use washable, stain-resistant tablecloths and disposable plates and platters to minimize clean up. Sure, we could pull out our
wedding china
, but we don’t — because we don’t want to.
We create a cozy, laid-back mood
We turn on the fireplace and a favorite record, usually something jazz, or we let the kids put on one of their playlists. We want guests to feel comfortable while creating a low-key ambiance.
We also want to make sure the younger kids have something to do, so we set up a separate table with holiday-themed coloring sheets. We pull out all of our
favorite board games
for the older kids and adults. I love seeing everyone lounging around on the floor, laughing and enjoying themselves.
We don’t change our meal time
In our home, we usually eat lunch around 12:30 p.m., which is exactly when we open up our Thanksgiving buffet-style meal. No kid (or adult) does well with delaying their lunch by hours because, once again, the turkey isn’t ready. In fact, an odd meal time is the perfect opportunity for everyone to be hangry, devouring snacks, and hovering near the kitchen bar where food is being laid out. No, thanks.
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Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering Business news.
