Holiday 2021:Are we there yet?

We aren’t quite where we thought we would be this year, eh? Ok, so COVID is still going strong and perhaps expectations last year for a normal winter 2021 are not quite there…. Travel is still a circus and the regulations are starting to feel very oppressive. But one thing that can’t stop most Americans? Aside from an amazing Black Friday deal? Turkey Day. Thanksgiving in the US is a BIG deal. This is the start of the Christmas retail season. Although many Americans, including myself put up the tree mid-November. Given all the dreary news this year, why not? In Rome, stores have already started the Christmas push a bit earlier - usually Italians wait until December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) and then take the tree and decor off on January 6 (Feast of the Epihpany + Befana, a witch that brings kids presents). Either way, I am happy that I can find soft nougat and festive cookies in the supermarket.

Cooking Thanksgiving or being invited to this meal is still something I cherish. This is the one holiday on the American calendar that is about friends and family. I love to cook, but really its all about laughing around a table and eating an ungodly amount of stuffing. I think the best attitude to take is, its just a big chicken and a few more sides than I would usually make. Pies I make the day before. Sides and bird the day of. I let my guests bring drinks. Done.

My advice this year is mostly interpersonal. This may be the first big family or friend event since the pandemic hit. These past months have been weird, stressful and isolating. Everyone has their own delightful set of baggage! I would say if at all possible, avoid conversations that discuss politics or the pandemic. This would be a very good year to bring out Scrabble or any other board or card game. Uno is always fine with me. Remember: not everyone is, firing on all cylinders, or simply put, in their best mental capacity and we have all been absorbing way too much news and media. All of us are tired in our own way, and that can show up as sad, annoyed, quiet, overtalkative(me!), or disdain. If you can’t be kind with you family and friends, then be elegantly vague. If you can’t manage vague, drink a glass of water and listen to others. You don’t have to agree, in fact, you don’t have to do anything at all. Just be a nice host or a plesant guest. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, so find some! Call your inner Pollyanna spirit animal and try to see the best in people for one week. You might see things differently after. Che ne so?

Wherever you are stay safe, stay sane, and happy thanksgiving. -Ni