Inspiring Women Magazine November 2023

Thanksgiving is also very regional in terms of food.
A good example of this is that Turkey-Day staple, stuffing. For
many, stuffing is the stuff of dreams and daydreams. Something
to look forward to all year, to save stomach room for when
considering all the other food possibilities on the table. It’s a key
ingredient of the “day-after sandwich” that one looks forward to!
Although you can have stuffing on any given day of the year, it’s
Thanksgiving that counts. What goes into your family’s traditional
stuffing? I doubt it’s oysters if you’re from New Mexico or
cornbread if you’re from Minnesota. I doubt it’s kielbasa if you’re
from South Carolina. Of course, given population mobility, it
could be that your family tradition includes these ingredients
even if your family finds itself in an area where these ingredients
are not local.
So, where do we begin to create our own Thanksgiving dinner?
Many American expats have hosted Thanksgiving before but
maybe not outside the US. Everyone has a picture in mind of
what the perfect Thanksgiving entails. Here is my guide,
plus a link to additional resources.
A Few Additional Things to Consider for
the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner:
Low-level background music for the evening.
Different types for your welcome and at
the table.
• z Adjusted lighting, candles, LED candles
(non-live flames)
• z What personal decorative items do you
love, but rarely use?
• z How would you like your guests to help/
contribute? Flowers, wine/beverages, a dish,
cleanup, setting the table, shopping, food
prep, vacuuming, dusting, and/or washing up
afterwards? Make arrangements with them
in advance.
• z Do you have supplies for packing up doggy
bags for your guests after the meal?
• z Do you have an extra pair of rubber gloves
and all supplies for cleanup?
Finally, RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR GUESTS!
List Making:
• z What are your favorite Thanksgiving
memories? Music? Atmosphere? Foods?
Smells? Outfits? Poetry? Literature? Jokes?
Stories? Think in terms of what you
can recreate in the here and now. Which
memories do you want to relive and share?
What makes you smile?
• z Don’t wait until the last minute to
start planning.
• z Plan your menu with a specific eye to
your guests, keeping in mind special diets
or allergies, the ages of those at the table
and disabilities.
• z Don’t try to do everything from scratch
and prepare as much as possible in advance.
Choose a simple, but generous menu.
• z Set the table, decorate and create the
atmosphere with your favorite cutlery,
tablecloths/napkins, serving and glassware.
Check if anything needs polishing, ironing or
special attention.
• z Prepare your shopping list and shop
early… not often!
Organizing the Meal:
• z Welcome drink: alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
• z Main meal with all side dish possibilities.
• z Appropriate beverages for the meal.
• z Dessert: pie, cake, ice cream, sorbet,
cookies, and/or pudding. Having sorbet
available is highly recommended after such
a heavy meal.
• z Coffee, tea, after-dinner drinks.
Organizing the Recipes for your Menu:
• z Family or friends’ recipes
• z Cookbooks
• z Regional recipes: Check the websites of
local newspapers in cities of interest. For
example, here’s one from the archives of the
Des Moines Iowa Register; it’s entitled,
“Holiday Dishes All Iowans Grew Up With…
and don’t you dare make fun of them!”
Jonelle’s Personal, Abbreviated Menu:
• z Pumpkin Soup with Honey & Cloves
• z Stuffing
• z Savory turkey or chicken
• z Cranberry sauce with orange zest
• z Sautéed kale
• z Dessert: assortment of purchased baked
goods & lemon sorbet
Click here for additional recipe resources and
Jonelle’s recipes.
Originally written by Jonelle Lemcke in 2021.
96 INSPIRING WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN 97