LIFE & TRENDS


Keeping Thanksgiving Alive When Table Gets Smaller


Downsizing isn’t just logistical, it’s also emotional. :: BY BECCA BLOND


T


hanksgiving used to mean a full house — card tables stretching into the hallway, grandkids


running around the yard, and multiple generations packed into the kitchen. But for many today, the


holiday looks different. The kids live farther away. Relatives have passed on. What was once a lively, crowded celebration might now be


dishes that truly matter. Whether it’s a cornbread stuffing


a quiet meal for two or three. For those used to orchestrating


big family holidays, downsizing isn’t just logistical, it’s also emotional. The good news is, Thanksgiving


still has a lot to offer, even when the crowd thins out. It just takes a little reframing. When the table isn’t as full,


there’s no need to cook like it is. Instead of preparing the whole


traditional spread, many people find joy in focusing on one or two


It’s not about escaping the holiday. It’s about doing it in a way that works for where you are in life.


your sister always made, a green bean casserole that goes back to your childhood, or your mother’s cranberry sauce, these recipes are memory-filled and worth preserving.


INVITE SOMEONE NEW


Some retirees invite neighbors or friends from their community who might otherwise spend the day alone. Others host a Thanksgiving potluck with people from church, a veterans’ group, or their apartment complex. You don’t have to throw a party


— even one extra guest can make the day feel more festive.


MAKE IT EASIER ON YOURSELF A turkey breast, a roasted chicken, or even a couple of Cornish hens can be easier to cook and just as satisfying as roasting a full turkey. If you don’t want to cook at


all, many local grocery stores and restaurants offer fully prepared Thanksgiving meals that only need to be reheated. A long weekend at a cabin, a stay


at a lodge, or even a few nights at a cozy hotel can be just as meaningful — and come with fewer dishes. It’s not about escaping the holiday. It’s about doing it in a way that works for where you are in life.


PASS SOMETHING DOWN Thanksgiving is a good time to bring out recipe cards, family photos, or mementos from past holidays. If you have grandchildren nearby


or visiting later in the season, show them how to make a family favorite dish or write it down in your own handwriting to pass along. Even if no one’s visiting, you can still preserve those memories. Take


86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | NOVEMBER 2025


ELENALEONOVA©ISTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112