# Thanksgiving season ... good or bad for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 20, 2017, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179 "2017-11-20T10:24:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/41 "2017-11-21T13:34:01Z")
Meh. This is my first since my husband and I parted ways. It’s been going downhill for me anyway since my mom passed away and I moved and am no longer the host, so this is just one more thing. I could do without it. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/42 "2017-11-21T16:43:09Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > I like my Thanksgiving season. I love turkey, plus the leaves are so colourful and beautiful in October. 😉 For clarity you should have included at least one “eh”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/43 "2017-11-21T16:46:25Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Right now I don’t have a lot of emotional energy for taking care of other people. That might sound harsh, but I’m still healing. > > I did hang out with the Jewish Federation for their Thanksgiving luncheon, but right now I have very little tolerance for Christian proselytizing and do not want to volunteer for anything related to a church, which is what most of that sort of thing is around here outside the JF. Understood. Maybe you can treat yourself to something nice this Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/44 "2017-11-21T17:44:12Z")
It’s my absolute favorite holiday. Like Christmas, but without the stress. Just eat, drink, and watch football all day. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/45 "2017-11-21T17:55:39Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Understood. Maybe you can treat yourself to something nice this Thursday. More likely, something nice next Monday as I am working from Wednesday through Sunday. I hesitate to bring this up due to prior disappointments, but an out of town friend may be stopping by in the next couple days, passing through on business, and we might go out to a restaurant for an abbreviated Turkey Day Dinner. Lots of maybes and mights, but because there is no promise made I actually find it reassuring. I’m not planning around it, but I’m open to it happening. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/46 "2017-11-21T18:43:36Z")
Meh…it’s a day off–still have to work on Friday. My brother is driving up from LA and we’re having T-day dinner at Harry’s Hofbrau\*, so that’s good. \*Contrary to rumor, Harry’s has remained open despite the sale of the property to a developer last year. My brother isn’t a big fan, but I vetoed his suggestion of Thai food for Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/47 "2017-11-21T22:32:13Z")
Not fun. I am alone. No family, no friends. I used to fix a big traditional dinner just for me and the dogs, but most of it ended up getting thrown out. This year I’m going to a buffet for dinner. I miss the big family get-togethers, usually at my Aunt Ursula’s house, everyone together and happy. Everyone is gone now. And the holidays are just lonely for me. Just a day off work. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/48 "2017-11-21T22:36:19Z")
double post ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/49 "2017-11-21T22:41:08Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Meh…it’s a day off–still have to work on Friday. My brother is driving up from LA and we’re having T-day dinner at Harry’s Hofbrau\*, so that’s good. > > \*Contrary to rumor, Harry’s has remained open despite the sale of the property to a developer last year. My brother isn’t a big fan, but I vetoed his suggestion of Thai food for Thanksgiving. I have never eaten there on T-Day, but I have had many a carved turkey lunches there over the years. They cook a might fine bird!! Is the falafel hut open? Maybe stop there for a quick bite afterwards. My doctor’s office is very close to there and I have lunch there whenever I have an appointment. A local treasure, both the Hut and the Hofbrau. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/50 "2017-11-21T22:56:04Z")
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Pigging out on delicious foods without the stress of gift-giving and other rituals I don’t particularly enjoy. It’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Lickety\_Split\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@Lickety\_Split\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lickety_Split_1)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/51 "2017-11-21T23:28:09Z")
Historically I don’t do well during the Holiday Season. In fact, it would all be just fine and dandy if, somehow, a new National Law was legislated tomorrow that did away with celebrating T-Giving and XMAS altogether. So…what I do is just…escape for the holidays. This year I’m going rock climbing in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas. So…I can certainly commiserate with anybody who dislikes or even loathes the holidays. Given the crass and absurd commercialization of them, there is indeed much to despise. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/52 "2017-11-21T23:45:39Z")
It’s actually remarkable how uncommercialized Thanksgiving is. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/53 "2017-11-22T02:16:42Z")
> [@Lickety\_Split](#): > > Historically I don’t do well during the Holiday Season. In fact, it would all be just fine and dandy if, somehow, a new National Law was legislated tomorrow that did away with celebrating T-Giving and XMAS altogether. > > So…what I do is just…escape for the holidays. This year I’m going rock climbing in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas. So…I can certainly commiserate with anybody who dislikes or even loathes the holidays. Given the crass and absurd commercialization of them, there is indeed much to despise. Thank you for responding … gee only (7) post in (5) five years :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/54 "2017-11-22T08:57:03Z")
Thanksgiving was never a huge deal in my family, but I used to do something to celebrate. Most years I cooked (small turkey, potatoes, gravy, pie) just for myself. Won’t do anything that elaborate this year. I’ve just been in a really shitty mood for a while. Maybe something a little out of the ordinary, homemade pizza, or something. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > My condolences to those who are dealing with the deaths of their loved ones. I do also feel the loss of my husband most keenly at the holidays. But personally, I feel it worse when I’m around other families who still have what I once had, so being alone now is preferable for me. I’m not jealous of them. It only makes me deeply wistful. I’m kind of in the same boat. A friend invited me to join her and her family, but I think I’ll give it a pass. Just don’t need to be around other people in that sort of situation right now; be reminded of all the relationships and closeness that I can’t ever seem to find for myself. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/55 "2017-11-22T09:27:00Z")
I quite like Thanksgiving, although when my parents were still alive there were occasional high levels of tension. 2001 was particularly dodgy: my dad had passed away two months before and my bipolar younger brother, who had insisted on hosting the meal, had a spectacular meltdown that culminated in his throwing everyone out of his house. These days, I’m by myself and don’t live within 1500 miles of any relatives, but fortunately a very kind and lovely couple I’ve known since high school always invite me over for the traditional meal. I show up with a bottle of wine, some cheese and some chocolate and it’s all good. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/56 "2017-11-22T20:40:35Z")
It’s very mixed for me. I can remember some awful Thanksgivings during college when I got the, “What are you going to do with your life?” lecture from my dad when I’d return home from college. As an adult, I’ve had jobs in the financial markets when I’ve been stuck working on Thanksgiving and/or the day after, where everything seems to go wrong and the office is at a skeleton staff. I’m working tomorrow and can’t work from home as I’ve done the past few Thanksgiving since the new VP doesn’t like remote working. I can’t get excited about that at all, but at least I’ll collect the extra money and I do have a non-Thanksgiving vacation planned starting on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/57 "2017-11-23T18:18:35Z")
Normally Thanksgiving is great. My favorite holiday. But this year my father-in-law is in the hospital seriously ill. So my wife is very upset. Not a happy time. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/58 "2017-11-23T18:36:39Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Normally Thanksgiving is great. My favorite holiday. But this year my father-in-law is in the hospital seriously ill. So my wife is very upset. Not a happy time. Is it possible to bring a Thanksgiving meal to the hospital? My mother passed away quite awhile ago, shortly after a Thanksgiving day. She had been in the hospital for some time, in very bad health. But we cooked up a meal and brought it there and, I have to say I had not seen her that happy in months. We joked and laughed and enjoyed the meal, and I think it totally took her out of the situation, if only for a few hours. The next day, she was pretty much out of it and stayed that way until she passed away a few weeks later. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/59 "2017-11-23T19:34:20Z")
Historically it’s my favorite holiday as a monument to gluttony, the most glorious of sins. Sadly for a number of years now a combination of seniority/schedule has guaranteed I work it, which kind of blows. So work today, work tomorrow, then a three day weekend where I’ll have disjointed quasi-Thanksgiving meals with different divorced parents on different weekend evenings, then decompress from those on Monday. So kinda a mixed bag :p. But, eh - it’s all good at the end of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179/60 "2017-11-23T20:23:49Z")
Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever, because you get to stuff yourself silly and don’t have to buy anyone a present. It doesn’t get any better than that. I have no family left to speak of, so it’s often just the wife and myself going out. But since returning to the US, we’ve been spending it with neighbors in our complex. This is our second Thanksgiving back, and we have some accomplished chefs living on our floor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanksgiving-season-good-or-bad-for-you/802179.md?page=4)