Making a Thanksgiving dinner for two is no more complicated than making an elaborate dinner celebration at any other time of the year.

The object is to present a bountiful feast. Having only two available to enjoy the feast should not lessen the care and enthusiasm you employ to prepare your dinner.

Consider each item on a traditional Thanksgiving menu and think of how you can adapt it to accommodate two without excessive leftovers or waste.

* Turkey

Turkeys come in all sizes. If you have a penchant for making soup from the bones, purchase the smallest turkey available. A ten-pound whole turkey is not too large for two if you like leftovers for the next day and turkey sandwiches to take for your workday lunches the rest of the week. Another option is a boneless turkey.

* Stuffing

Forgo Grandma's famous stuffing recipe and purchase a box of pre-cooked stuffing. You can use half of the box and save the rest as a side dish for when you serve pork chops on another occasion.

* Gravy

Envelopes or jars of turkey gravy taste just as good as made from scratch and one envelope or one jar will be perfect for two.

* Cranberry sauce

Canned cranberry sauce comes in both jelled and traditional varieties. You can add your own embellishments and have a tasty accompaniment for your turkey dinner without an excessive amount of leftovers. What is left over can be used with other meats on an ordinary day in the week. Cranberry sauce goes well with chicken, pork or ham.

* Potatoes

Using instant mashed potatoes will allow you to control the portions. A small can of sweet potatoes will suffice for two.

* Vegetables

With a crowd you might have served two or three vegetable choices. With two, decide which vegetable is a favorite for both of you and serve that one exclusively.

* Salad

You can buy a small container of pre-made Jello salad or control the size of a tossed salad by buying the smallest package of greens already cut up and one or two tomatoes, one cucumber, one pepper and whatever other ingredients you ordinarily use in salad.

* Condiments

Pickles and olives in small jars will keep for some time in the refrigerator, so don't forgo these tasty garnishments. Use what you need and store the rest for future use.

* Rolls

Heat and serve rolls are handy and the extras can be used at any other meal. The same applies to canned frozen rolls.

* Dessert

Purchase a couple of small pies. Because it is Thanksgiving, you might want several choices, but if neither of you are addicted to pastries, then just have the traditional pumpkin.

There is your entire traditional Thanksgiving menu, without compromise. Ensure to use your best tablecloth and dishes for the occasion. Do not cut corners on your efforts. Use candles, and soft music playing in the background, to create a romantic ambiance.

The fact that there are only two of you does not diminish your desire to have a bountiful feast in the spirit of the holiday, nor does your limited number diminish the thankfulness in both of your hearts for blessings bestowed upon you and the gift of each other.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Learn more about this author, Carol Gioia.
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