morning, but I did not love the "feast" itself! There was absolutely nothing fun about sitting down to eat just as everyone else got up and was wondering when the pie would be served. I would gobble down my dinner, then find most of the crowd had disappeared. A few faithfuls were starting to do the dishes. When that was done, it was pie time, then time to clean up again. Not FUN! I knew something had to change. I loved having my house full of joyous children, bossy adults and a few quiet friends that were not sure how to deal with the mayhem. There is nothing more fun than the kitchen full of creative cooks trying to make "the" dish of the year(our own reality cooking show.) So what was the problem? The problem is we were having a feeding frenzy and there was very little to do with giving thanks or enjoying each other's company at the table. One contributing factor to the frenzy approach is sheer volume. We usually have between 20-30 people. By the time the last person gets through the buffet the first ones are finished eating!
Over the years we have tried a couple of different things to make the "feast" more enjoyable. The first year I decided the problem was the children. They didn't like to sit and "visit", they want to eat and play. So we fed the children first. We set a nice table for them in the kitchen and we waited on them like they were in the finest of restaurants. When the children had finished eating, they donned their new, red, personalized aprons and it was their turn to serve the adults in the dining room. About five of the fifteen children thought that was fun and actually served us. I enjoyed it a lot; my 15 year old daughter who was master of the kitchen, not so much. There were a few glitches. The food was all cold and the children took their job so seriously that our dishes were whisked away before we were could see our plates. It is a very good thing we don't drink alcohol, because the "waiters" in charge of filling the glasses kept them very full. We must have gone through multiple cases of Martinelli's sparkling cider that day!
The next year we ate together, but ate in courses. Each family was responsible to serve and clear their assigned course. Between courses, another family was to provide some short entertainment or interactive activity. This seemed to work out well. We have made a gratitude chain that went up one staircase and down the other, meeting in the middle. We have sung "Thanksgiving" carols, played Thanksgiving Bingo of things we did the past year to show gratitude, had serious readings, silly poetry and physical exercise. Our meal lasts about 2 hours and we have found everyone but the toddlers seem to enjoy the experience. The best part is that I really enjoy Thanksgiving dinner now! And we are only a week away from another great celebration! Better get the mince pie going. (If you are looking for pie recipes, check the Recipe Box for a few of our favorites.)
What traditions or ideas do you have to bring gratitude to the table and create feelings of closeness with those who surround your table?
So enjoyable that way! Thanks for thinking it up!!
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