Thanksgiving may be the single most celebrated holiday in the United States, extending across religious and cultural lines.  In eight days, family and friends will be gathering around tables to express their gratitude for the good things in their lives and to eat lots of wonderful food.

It’s not too late to plan if you haven’t started yet.  A basic, traditional menu is always a winner:  turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, a veggie, and pumpkin pie.

If you don’t have nearby family to gather at your table or to join at theirs, consider an "orphan potluck."  Invite other folks with nowhere to go to come to your house and celebrate.  Each person can bring a dish for the dinner and you can spend a lovely day. 

Surprisingly, Thanksgiving is a great celebration for a potluck because it welcomes all cooking skill levels.  The excellent cooks can do the turkey and stuffing and a fancy side dish.  The in-between cooks can do side dishes like potatoes, cranberry relish, green bean casserole and the like.  The folks who use their kitchen as extra storage space can buy and bring wine, bread, and desserts.  Everyone can contribute to buy the turkey (the biggest expense) and can share in the leftovers. 

I was part of an orphan potluck years ago and it was a great Thanksgiving.  We puttered in the kitchen together, ate a huge meal, then sat around watching old movies and singing Christmas carols until late into the night.

If you do have family and friends coming to your table, considering extending the hospitality of the season to someone with nowhere to go.  Perhaps a colleague or other acquaintance will be alone on Thanksgiving.  You can also contact a local assisted living facility or a veteran’s home.  They often have ambulatory residents who would love to share a holiday with a family.  Offer transportation to and from the facility and make sure you check about any dietary restrictions.  Next year, you may be the thing that someone is most thankful for!