by Steve Whitmer

Created on: October 26, 2009

Can't we just have a nice Thanksgiving dinner? Just once!?!

Yes, we can. It's time to leave behind all preconceived notions about Thanksgiving dinner. For some reason we have bought into the idea that we must put on a big production, centered around our bellies, to be thankful. We must invite our friends and family, tear the house apart creating grown up tables and kids tables, and trash the kitchen-to be thankful. We must collapse on the couch to nod off during a football game while others cut through the grease and gravy for the rest of the day-to be thankful. And are we thankful? Following is a surefire recipe for a peaceful and thankful Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Don't shop

Save your money. Stop searching the advertisements for the best deal on turkey. Stop making mad dashes to the last open store to get the cool whip. Americans spent over 28 billion dollars last year on Thanksgiving, 90% of which was on food. For goodness sake, save your money. Six hours later you will be hungry again, and the mess won't even be cleaned up yet!

2. Don't invite

Stop worrying about who will be mad if they aren't invited, and who will fight if they are. Stop coming up with seating arrangement after seating arrangement that, in the end, fails to keep the peace anyway. Stop wondering which kids are old enough to sit at the grown up table. Stop working for days to get your house presentable enough to impress the clean freaks in your circle.

3. Don't cook

Don't get up at 5 am to get the turkey going. Don't make pie after pie, because they have to be homemade. Don't worry about your vegetarian friends and whether they will find enough to eat. Don't obsess about that green bean casserole that you didn't get right last year. Don't start cooking side dishes a week in advance. Just don't!

4. Do find a nice church

Every community has a church that hosts a big thanksgiving dinner. They are typically attended by the homeless or the lonely, and are full of the most humble and thankful people you could ever meet. Sit with them and eat, and you will remember what Thanksgiving is all about. You will even get a big plateful of food to take home, for sandwiches later!

5. Do remember

Remember the spirit of Thanksgiving that you experience. Remember the love and appreciation for a good meal. Remember the unique conversations with new and different people. Remember this all, and next year, volunteer to help put on that Thanksgiving meal. You will learn to love Thanksgiving again, without any stress at all.

Learn more about this author, Steve Whitmer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.