I admit it: I love everything about the holidays. The morning after Halloween, while our jack-o’-lanterns are still smiling outside, I have an even bigger smile inside.
With the holiday music turned up to 11, I’m creating family timetables and schedules so we can get in as much uninterrupted quality time as possible. Then I remember the one thing that will interrupt us: the cooking.
I love spending time with my family
In fact, I love it so much that I don’t want it to stop because I’m cooking alone in the kitchen. I want to be that awesome mom who gives my 9-year-old fond foodie memories that will bring closer family connections and happy holiday associations. But I’d also like to be part of them.
So, I have strong opinions on why I won’t be cooking dinner for my family this Thanksgiving, and here are six of my biggest reasons:
1. I don't want to miss out on family time
I can hear my family laughing and creating lovely memories together while I’m making unmemorable ones in the kitchen peeling unfriendly potatoes. I’d rather spend my time in the family room with my actual family than in the kitchen all by myself.
2. My kid prefers pizza to turkey
The only Thanksgiving food my son gets excited about is dessert. Eating traditional holiday fare has never been his thing.
Honestly, he’d much prefer we order pizza instead of eating all those fancy foods like Jell-O salad or cranberry sauce. This is why working to perfect my turkey basting skills is completely unnecessary — especially for my kid.
3. I’m a bad cook
If you’re looking for someone to overcook your dinner rolls or burn your broccoli, I’ve got you covered. It’s known throughout the world (or at least in my household) that I’m a terrible cook.
Since cooking isn’t my calling, I’d much prefer calling out-of-town relatives and connecting with them versus charbroiling our peas.
4. I feel alone
Cooking alone in the kitchen makes me feel, well … lonely. I’ve tried to invite my family in to chat or help, but they inevitably slip out to have fun elsewhere.
Their conversation echoes happily through the halls and once again I’m stuck all by myself in the kitchen wondering what memory-making moment I’m missing.
5. I never make it to the store
It doesn’t matter how organized I am, I can’t seem to make it to the store before they’ve sold out of stuffing and dinner rolls. I’m forever late picking up the items we need, so I end up visiting every grocery store so I can assemble the food for our meal.
6. Cleanup is epic
Plates and silverware can be found on counters, tables, and even under the bed (really, though that was just that one time and my son was a toddler). I’m all by my lonesome wondering if I can just leave doing the dishes until Christmas while everyone else is napping or watching the latest Hallmark holiday movie.
So, bring on the lights, the inflatable lawn snowmen, and the stockings hung by the chimney with care, just not the cooking. I mean, I’ve done the calculations and the prepping, the baking, and the boiling of Thanksgiving dinner take more time than it does to actually sit down and eat it.
But the good news is, my family is well aware of my feelings surrounding this issue and they’re supportive of a simpler meal that we can all microwave together.
Don’t misunderstand: I adore sitting around a table and eating food with my family — just not food that I’ve cooked.
