The Empty-Nest Thanksgiving

Thanksgivings have often been spent at my older sister’s suburban Chicago home or my younger sister’s central Illinois house where she took care of our mother, who passed away this year. I shudder to think of the winter storms one of us was always driving through.

With senior family members gone and our kids doing their own things, we are having a sister reunion at my older sister’s fabulous second home in Arizona to do something a little different. This may be our new holiday tradition: the three sisters –we can cook (but we don’t have to) and hike in a canyon on Thanksgiving Day.

One thing we don’t have to do is accommodate the schedules of four grown children, and my four grandchildren, one of whom potentially shuttles between her mom’s and step-dad’s three families, my daughter-in-law’s family, and my divorced ex and me for holidays. Whew!

What can you do when your nest is either empty or so full you’d rather skip the whole family thing? Even if you haven’t got plans yet, there’s still time to make these arrangements. And remember, Thanksgiving is about sharing not only food but yourself.

For singles: Have a neighborhood potluck. You never have to be alone if you know your neighbors – and if you don’t, this might be a good time to get to know them. Have it outdoors if possible -- a great reason to live in South Florida, where my neighbors will gather in our courtyard (without me this year) and grill the turkey. If you live in a community with a clubhouse, reserve that. They often have kitchens where people can keep side dishes warm or cold. If you volunteer your home, everyone can contribute chairs and card tables. Someone will know how to and want to prepare the turkey. And everything else is gravy, as they say. This is a particularly good solution for singles.