Welcome to “Is It Ever Okay,” Bon Appétit’s questionable etiquette column. Have a question? Email staff.bonappetit@gmail.com.
How do I do Thanksgiving for one without an inordinate amount of leftovers? —All Alone Andrea
My sister did this last year and gave rave reviews. She made ONLY her favorites (all BA recipes because she is supportive of my career): mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cornbread stuffing with chorizo, “maybe a salad?”, and cranberry-lime pie for dessert. That’s right—no turkey. She halved everything but the pie. Let this inspire you.
We need an answer once for all: What time should the Thanksgiving meal be served? —Horological Hal
Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7! 10? 8:30? Is anyone going to actually listen to ME? Every family seems to have their Thanksgiving hour set in stone (Plymouth Rock? Oof). I swear the 3 p.m. diners wait an entire year to eat at their off-kilter hour. Whatever time the host says, we comply—and complain. It’s a point of contention as predictable as the mashed potato lumps. Accept both.
I’ve met two people who do themed Thanksgivings. Hollywood theme, nautical. Is this weird enough to work? —Mystified Madison
Themed Thanksgiving sounds weird, but then again, so does celebrating the verrrrrrry murky story of our nation’s founding. Maybe the best thing about Thanksgiving is the fact that we all celebrate it a little differently. I’m thinking about boiling lobsters!
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