Beyond Turkey: 5 Alternative Thanksgiving Celebrations

4 min read

The aroma of roasting turkey, the cheerful chaos of family gatherings, and the warmth of traditional celebrations – that’s what Thanksgiving means for many. But if you’re among the 27% of Americans who spend Thanksgiving alone or in non-traditional ways (YouGov America, 2023), you’re part of a growing movement reshaping this holiday.

According to AARP’s study, nearly one in three adults aged 50 and older reported spending major holidays alone in 2023. However, the same study revealed an encouraging trend: 64% of those who chose alternative celebrations reported higher satisfaction with their holiday experience compared to previous traditional gatherings.

According to Dr Melanie Cormack, a psychologist specializing in women’s emotional wellness, “the holiday season can often heighten feelings of loneliness, particularly for women over 50 navigating life transitions. However, solitude need not be a sign of loneliness; rather, it can present a chance to adopt fresh and significant customs.“

This shift toward alternative celebrations reflects a broader cultural change. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 58% of Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving in nontraditional ways at least once in the past five years, with the number rising to 63% among women over 50. The most common reasons cited were a desire for personal growth (34%), seeking new experiences (29%), and avoiding family stress (24%).

Are you among those midlife women who are reimagining Thanksgiving Celebrations? Don’t feel pity for yourself, here are some ideas for you.

Non-Traditional Ways to Celebrate Solo Thanksgiving

Imagine a Thanksgiving that’s entirely yours to design. No wrestling with a twenty-pound turkey, no mediating family tensions across the cranberry sauce, no exhausting cleanup that stretches into the late hours. If you’re quietly nodding along, you’re in excellent company.

For some of us, however, this shift isn’t exactly a choice. Perhaps the kids moved across the country, or a divorce rewrote our holiday narrative. Others might find themselves taking a quiet step back from family dynamics that no longer serve their well-being. And then there are those who’ve simply grown tired of playing the same role they’ve performed for decades – the perpetual host, the peacekeeper, the master chef who hasn’t actually enjoyed a relaxed holiday meal in years.

In exploring these reimagined celebrations, we discovered something surprising: the women who’ve embraced alternative ways to mark this holiday often report feeling more fulfilled, more peaceful, and yes – more grateful – than they did during years of traditional observance. Their stories offer a roadmap for anyone ready to explore a different kind of Thanksgiving.

After all, isn’t gratitude more authentic when it’s expressed in ways that truly resonate with your present life?

1. Host a “Friendsgiving” Cooking Class

When Barbara C., 62, from New York, found herself without plans last Thanksgiving following her divorce, she turned her passion for cooking into an opportunity for connection. “I invited five other single friends to my home, and instead of serving them, we cooked together,” she shares with CrunchyTales. “We each brought a recipe we’d always wanted to master. The laughter over our culinary mishaps was more nourishing than any turkey dinner.“

Local culinary schools often offer special holiday programs but you could even hire a chef for a private cooking party. 

2. Volunteer with a Twist For Thanksgiving Day

“Traditional volunteering at soup kitchens is wonderful, but there are many overlooked opportunities,” says community organizer Janet Wu, 55 from Edinburgh.

Take inspiration from Patricia Summers, 58, who started “Senior-to-Senior” Thanksgiving in San Francisco – she organizes groups of active seniors to prepare meals and provide companionship to homebound elderly neighbours. “It gave me purpose and perspective,” Patricia explains. “Now I have a whole new community of friends who get together throughout the year.“

3. Create a Wellness Retreat at Home

“Many women are choosing to use this time for self-renewal rather than social obligations,” observes wellness coach Emma Richardson from Chester (UK). “Design your own at-home retreat with meditation, gentle yoga, and nourishing meals. Include activities that feed your soul – journaling, art, or music“, she recommends.

Mary Davidson, 65, from New York, transformed her solo Thanksgiving into an annual self-care ritual: “I start with morning meditation, take a long nature walk, prepare my favorite healthy dishes, and end with a gratitude ceremony. It’s become so meaningful that I’ve declined family invitations to maintain this tradition.“

4. Travel Solo, Connect Globally

The trend toward solo travel during Thanksgiving has surged, with booking platform Expedia reporting a 42% increase in single-person holiday weekend reservations among travellers over 50 between 2019 and 2023. A chance to create your own adventure during traditional family holidays.

“Travel during Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean expensive flights or crowded destinations,” says travel consultant Lisa Zhang and CrunchyTales’ reader based in Toronto. “Consider nearby destinations offering special holiday programs. Susan Reynolds, 57, discovered a pottery retreat three hours from home: “I spent Thanksgiving weekend learning to throw clay with eight other women. We shared stories, skills, and a non-traditional feast of Mediterranean dishes. I’ve attended for three years now.“

Renne Landers, 72, an amazing body-builder who teaches all of us how to age boldly, suggests booking a cruise. “Are you alone? Nobody invited you for Thanksgiving? Fix it! You are responsible for your own happiness. You can either sit back and pout or you can take charge of it! Which one do you choose? Take charge of your holidays. I’ve booked a 5-night cruise and determined to have fun“.

5. Host a “Gratitude and Growth” Gathering

Transform the traditional dinner into a personal growth celebration that could potentially transform a lonely day into an opportunity for authentic relationships.

Catherine Martinez, 61, hosts an annual “Gratitude Circle” where participants share their year’s achievements and set intentions for the future. “We focus on emotional nourishment rather than food,” she explains to CrunchyTales. “Though we do enjoy a potluck of healthy, globally-inspired dishes!“

These are just some examples from women like us who are reinventing their own paths. Remember, there’s no “right” way to celebrate Thanksgiving. The essence of the holiday is gratitude and connection – how you express that is deeply personal.

Whether you choose solitude or alternative gatherings, you’re part of a growing community of women redefining holiday traditions on their own terms. The key is creating traditions that resonate with your current life stage and values.