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Make this Thanksgiving feel special, even with a smaller crowd. Cozy dinners and new traditions can help usher in happiness. Photo credit: Depositphotos.
As we move through life, there will be times when smaller gatherings of friends and family naturally happen. We can't change it, we can't pretend that it's anything different. But we can accept and embrace it.
Maybe it won't always be this way. Or you may decide to change how you celebrate completely. Whatever happens with that is in the future. You can make changes in the future.
The only way to move forward this year with a smaller gathering is to embrace the good things about it, even if you don't want to. You might discover a few things about yourself or come up with new ways to enjoy family gatherings.
Celebrate with small gatherings
Cooking for fewer people allows you to change how you've always done things. If you're struggling with change or celebrating when you just don't feel it, that's okay.
Moving forward with a traditional dinner with fewer people can be a blessing. Fewer people means less money spent, which can be nice in the pocketbook. But other things are amazing, too.
Try new things
You can change up what you usually make. Instead of a 20-pound turkey, you can try a small prime rib, turkey breast or something else fancy, perhaps a beef Wellington or a roasted duck.
If you don't need a huge turkey, you can relax a little and sleep in it, or you can make a special breakfast that morning instead of making and stuffing a bird at 5 am. With no reason to be up so early, you can sleep in, make a leisurely breakfast and still get everything done in time.
Streamline the menu
Because you're making a dinner that doesn't include the world's biggest turkey, you're free to cut down on stuffing recipes, cranberry sauces and all that jazz. Even if you're making a turkey, you don't need that much food.
That means it's the perfect time to try something new, like corn pudding or fresh bread. Or the ultimate homemade pie with homemade pie crust. The sky is the limit here, so pick something and perfect it, then amaze your guests.
Make it a potluck
If you are having a smaller gathering, it's the perfect time to call for a potluck. You can make a main dish or two because you'll be doing less in other places. And everyone else can bring sides. Assign them to people so they know what to make and what will be on the menu.
You can serve a potluck buffet style if that's interesting to you. Then, the table is simple, clean and elegant.
If you're serving potluck style, you can keep your current table the size it is. That means no stuffing people into a small space or finding and dragging out more chairs and stools. Plus, no table prep means more time to relax or clean the house.
Speaking of tables
If you're making a smaller, cozy dinner for fewer people, it's the perfect time to do something new and different with your table this year. Add a tablecloth, beautiful candles, pumpkins, flowers or anything else your creative mind desires.
Pull out the fancy special dishes and the silver and make beautiful, small feasts. Just because it's smaller doesn't mean it isn't special or meaningful.
Less pie stress
When you have a house full of guests, you often feel like you have to whip up several pies or desserts. With fewer guests, you can make one and be done. Or go fancy and order from a bakery that will make you the dessert of your dreams.
Change it up
Try new things this year. Instead of having dinner at your regular time, try a new time. Or insist everyone bring their favorite game and host a game night with friends or family. Kick off the Christmas season by choosing a favorite movie and enjoying it together. There's no end to ways you can innovate the day with family or friends.
It's just smaller, not less important
Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a grand affair to be meaningful. Sometimes, embracing a smaller gathering allows us to focus on what truly matters: The people around the table, the flavors we love and the moments we share.
This year, rather than seeing a smaller gathering as something or somebody missing, try to view it as an opportunity to create a more intimate, relaxed celebration. A simplified menu, a cozy setting and a slower pace can make this Thanksgiving feel refreshingly different.
It's a chance to try something new, let go of old expectations and perhaps even start new traditions that feel just as special. Whatever the size of the gathering, the spirit of Thanksgiving lives on in the connections we make and the gratitude we feel.
Laura Sampson of Little House Big Alaska is on a mission to teach modern family-oriented home cooks how to make old-fashioned foods new again. She shares her passion for home cooking, backyard gardening and homesteading on her website and blog.
