My Post-Thanksgiving Dinner: A Change of Tradition

Traditionally, I've spent every Thanksgiving preparing a grand homemade Caribbean feast featuring oxtail stew, curry goat, ham, salmon, rice and peas, potato salad, pasta salad, carrot juice, and more.

However, this year, I decided to take my own advice from my blog post, "12 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving When You Don't Feel Like It." The high cost of groceries, the exhaustion from cooking, and the fact that my daughters had different food preferences led me to skip the cooking altogether and opt for takeout. I ordered from two different restaurants to satisfy everyone's tastes. The combined total costs: 127.25, for a family of four without the muss and fuss.

From our favourite Chinese Restaurant, I ordered dishes like Chinese garlic broccoli, mushroom fried rice, Shanghai noodles, breaded shrimps, and Caribbean fried chicken to add a bit of flair to the feast. 

For festivity and variety, I also ordered from "Swiss Chalet," selecting their "Thanksgiving Family Feast," which included a whole rotisserie chicken (turkey substitute), cranberry sauce, stuffing, chalet dipping sauce, freshly baked dinner rolls, whipped butter, oven-baked potatoes, fresh-cut fries, and a garden salad. For dessert, we indulged in pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, and coconut cream pie, complemented by my festive drink made with ginger ale, whole frozen strawberries and for a touch of elegance I added Pinot Grigio.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that all proper feast involves a variety of elements, including 2 to 3 kinds of meat, 2 to 3 starches, vegetable salads, hot vegetables, bread, condiments, appetizers like cheese and fruits, a delightful selection of desserts, and a choice of beverages, such as wine and punch.

Have you ever considered ordering in for a major holiday? Share your thoughts in the comments.