What's Your Earliest Thanksgiving Memory?
Something to think about...
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm getting right into it since it’s a busy day for many of us.
As a newsletter writer, I realize there’s an unspoken obligation when the title is a question.
Obviously, the first order of business is to answer the question myself.
So here goes.
(Should I start like this is a 5th-grade book report?)
My Earliest Thanksgiving Memory… by Abbey Algiers
My earliest Thanksgiving Memory is
Okay, I’ll tell you for real.
Anytime (and I mean any, any, anytime) I think about Thanksgiving, I go to one place.
It’s a scene from just outside the kitchen of my childhood home, circa 1977.
It’s morning, and I’m at my regular spot on the floor, sitting way too close to the TV. (Like every day, my mom either just did, or will soon call in with the reminder, “Abbey, back away from the TV!” Did she also say I’ll go blind? Or did I add that part.)
At any rate. In this sequence, I’m indeed just inches from the large TV with an even larger set of antennas. As usual, I use the fireplace ledge as a perch for the giant bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, which I usually eat while watching my favorite cartoon. I’m also wrapped up in the blanket I’ll later use for hair extensions.
Based on that description, it could be any morning of my childhood. Except on that particular day, I’m not mesmerized by Bedrock, but NYC because it’s Thanksgiving, which, of course, means the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Click here if you forgot what early parades were like.)
I remember being wowed by the gigantic floats and even more impressed with the buildings along the route. It was a lot for my small-town brain to process. So many questions. How did Smokey Bear get to be so big? And why was he in a city? (Are there forests in New York?) Who lived in all those apartments? What would it be like to shop in those stores? Where did that girl get her pink coat? (Even then, I needed to know where to shop.)
Along with creepy clowns and random floats, a steady stream of marching bands serves as the soundtrack.
In real life, a Thanksgiving soundtrack subtly unfolds in the next room - dishes and pans are set down at record pace. A spoon is dropped, followed by an on-cue explicative. The refrigerator is opened and closed; a glass is filled, and a piece of toast pops. All while the dishwasher hums along. But the best sounds are the voices ~ of my mom, dad, and siblings adding their two cents to the production.
And, one more thing.
The house smelled absolutely amazing.
If I had to assign a picture to it, it would be the one below - probably not taken on an actual Thanksgiving - but taken in that space, with my mom in the middle of Impossibly Perfect Imperfection.
That memory is more than a nostalgic take on Thanksgiving. It’s my recall of a feeling. There with my Cocoa Pebbles, parade, and the people I loved most just feet away… all was well in the world.
A true Hallmark moment of sorts, if you will.
The only thing is, there’s a problem with Hallmark moments like these.
They’re warm, for sure. But they also can make our nostrils burn and eyes swell - because they remind us how fast time goes and how the moments with our loved ones are so very, very fleeting.
Furthermore, I realize that not everyone has warm holiday memories or Hallmark moments to think about.
And these thoughts… happen to lead to What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week:
Since the holidays can be difficult,
I’m giving you an early present.
An HCM.
What’s an HCM?
A Holiday Coping Mechanism.
To activate this HCM, all you have to do is think back to one warm memory from your past. It can be anything, any day, or any person.
Heck, it doesn’t even have to be warm. It can be funny. Or joyful. Or just not awful.
Whatever the case, embrace that memory and drum up all the feels.
Then assign a visual to it. (Like I did with the kitchen pic.)
Maybe give yourself a cue. (i.e. Next time I’m eating Cocoa Pebbles, I’ll feel warm inside like its Thanksgiving morning.)
And then when the holidays get to you - whether it’s missing loved ones, dealing with Cousin Eddie, feeling stressed or hassled, or just wanting to escape the season all together, remember your HCM.
And launch into your own little home movie. Of whatever the hell you want it to be.
Just go there. And don’t worry about any of the holiday noise. Make your own.
I hope that helps and that today (whether you celebrate or not) has a moment that takes you back for just a minute or two.
And if my HCM doesn’t help, well, there’s always shopping. Good news - I’ve organized some gift guides (for others and you) to make shopping easy and fun and maybe give you some distractions for when the holiday lights get to you in ways that make your nostrils burn or your eyes swell.
Let’s go.
But before I do, it’s Thanksgiving, so I need to get a little sappy for a second.
I appreciate you coming back each week to hear what I’ve got to say.
To show my thanks, I’m removing the paywall and letting all subscribers in on the complete list of gift guides and deals.
But before we shop, a survey about Thanksgiving dinner. I’ll share the results next week.
The No-Nonsense Guide to Gift Guides and some Great Excuses to Shop for Yourself
For the chef, host or hostess, or anyone with a kitchen. From Real Simple Magazine 50 Best Gifts for Foodies. Plus, Uncommon Goods to the rescue when your favorite chef already has everything. (Here’s a heartwarming gift he or she might dig.) Take things up a notch by shopping this Pro Chef’s holiday wishlist or see what Delish recommends to uplevel a seasoned chef’s kitchen. Finally, my friend at RealFoodTraveler has a list of gifts for food and travel lovers that I will check out.
I may be biased, but I know that Golfers like new gear. Make your favorite golfer happy with something from the World Wide Golf Shops Gift Guide or 75 more ideas for every golfer on your list.
Which reminds me of gifts for the person who loves birdies. (Real ones.) Maybe I’ve been under a rock, but did you realize there are bird feeders that come with cameras? WHAT? Plus, some unique gifts for bird lovers and gifts for birders who are travelers too.
Back to the “what to get the person with everything” dilemma. How about a retro toy or accessory? Maybe that person needs another gadget. (But a cool one.) And for the friend who has everything and is also picky (we still love you), there’s a gift guide for that person, and of course,e Amazon has a few (hundred thousand) options, too.
Interrupting this gift guide with the following retro commercial announcements:
(See #4 to buy either retro toy.)
Travelers like travel gifts almost as much as they like to travel. Daily Passport has some winning travel gifts, TravelPast50 has a ton of Black Friday deals, and Travel & Leisure has this list for minimalists and overpackers alike.
Everyone likes gorgeous new clothing for lounging, and Quince has some beautiful options and some fabulous stocking stuffers too. More cashmere sweater options at Naadam or head to Madewell for Merino wool. If Everlane is more your speed, get 40% off at checkout with code MADEBETTER. Here are suggestions from Carhartt, Nordstrom, Swet Taylor, and Cuts Clothing for the guys.
Looking for something dainty for your lady? Calling all husbands - your wives will love the beautiful options at Miansai, like these earrings or this gorgeous emerald tennis bracelet. More gift ideas she’ll love, according to this list of 65 options by the New York Post.
Guys, I didn’t forget you. The New York Post also made a gift list for husbands, as did New York Magazine, and Glamour had a boatload of ideas for The Husband Who Has Everything.
AND… I think that’s enough to keep you busy for a bit!
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday… and may the coming weeks bring you everything you need to close out 2024. When things get hard, please don’t forget your HCM!
See you next week for a TWO-YEAR ANNIVERSARY issue!
Take care, and thank you for reading!
Enjoy the day.
Abbey
