Thanksgiving ‘must haves’: turkey pants

POSTED ON October 10, 2014 BY Shannon Nelson
CATEGORY Stories,

As Canadian Thanksgiving weekend is upon us, I would like to share a few tips with you regarding how to have a successful turkey dinner for the holiday.

Anyone who has done it knows that cooking a turkey for a diverse extended family is not entirely without its problems. But there are a few things you can do to avoid stress during this special family time.

The first thing you should do is assign specific tasks to relatives who want to help, being sure to grant autonomy to that relative over that particular task. I learned this the hard way, when one Thanksgiving my mother-in-law took great exception to my Dad interfering with making the gravy. He just could not fathom anyone wanting to add ketchup to turkey gravy, and felt so passionate about it that he took the ketchup bottle from her and wouldn't give it back.

Honestly, if I hadn't been right there I think she might have punched him.

Next important tip: never leave large animals alone in a room with a turkey. At a Thanksgiving dinner at my in-laws one year, my loyal lab Sophie nabbed the roasted turkey off the counter and inhaled it in a matter of moments, aluminum foil and all. I have to give my mother-in-law credit, she was fairly reasonable about the situation until same dog upchucked the entire thing on the new carpet of her den floor within a half hour of eating it. It's nasty stuff to clean up, that turkey barf.

And it is imperative that you dress appropriately for turkey dinner. I don't know about you, but all the people in my family lose all restraint at the mere hint of turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, and unless you're prepared with an elasticized or drawstring waistband on your pants, the price tag for gluttony can be excruciating pain.

In our family, everyone shows up for Thanksgiving dinner in their turkey pants (my brother John's brainchild). These are generously cut sweatpants that can accommodate a seriously distended gut due to a lusty turkey binge. And you don't have to compromise style.

We've found that turkey pants can be dressed up nicely with a sports jacket (for men) or a pretty blouse (for women). For Christmas turkey dinner I find a nice corsage really helps to dress up the turkey pants.

Then there's always some Smart Alec in the group with a test for even the noblest family member. This happened one year at my parents' house, where, as we were all seated around the dining room table enjoying our meal, my well-meaning sister-in-law asked everyone in turn to say a few words about what they were thankful for.

It was obvious to me that she had rehearsed the subject with her own children, because they all came up with impassioned statements about what really had meaning for them in life.

Her youngest daughter made an emotional speech about nature, another daughter talked about friends and family, and even her son contributed an impressive comment about good health.

When it came to my kids' turns, I feared their answers were going to completely miss the mark, and I was right.

My oldest son grunted a couple of words about snowboarding.

My daughter spent a little more time thinking about her answer. She said with great emotion that she was grateful for the new after leg shave moisturizer she finally found at London Drugs after searching for the stuff for weeks.

My youngest son (at 11 yr.s old) was champing at the bit to give us his thankful spiel. Tommy was profoundly thankful for golf. But even more than that, he was grateful for the golf channel, and all the joy watching it brought into his life. Why, I believe I saw a tear come into his father's eye as the boy spoke.

Just in case some well-meaning relative brings up the subject at your Thanksgiving dinner table this year, I recommend preparing your children with appropriate answers.

There. Now that I've shared my tips for a successful Thanksgiving dinner, I wish you and your loved ones a warm and wonderful holiday weekend.

Just don't forget the turkey pants.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson is an accomplished writer, interviewer, and radio and television host, formerly with CFUN, VisionTV, the Biography Channel and CBC Television. Before starting a family in the early 80's, Shannon was a stock broker at Pemberton Securities and Canarim Securities (now Canaccord). She is the mother of CEO.ca founder Tommy Humphreys. More →

pinkynel@gmail.com

Shannon Nelson

pinkynel@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

Readers are advised that the material contained herein is solely for information purposes. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence, and/or obtain professional advice. Nothing contained herein constitutes a representation by the publisher, nor a solicitation for the purchase or sale of securities. The information contained herein is based on sources which the publisher believes to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate, and does not purport to be a complete statement or summary of the available data. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. The owner, editor, writer and publisher and their associates are not responsible for errors or omissions. They may from time to time have a position in the securities of the companies mentioned herein, and may change their positions without notice. (Any significant positions will be disclosed explicitly. This article is not intended to meet your specific individual investment needs and it is not tailored to your personal financial situation. Nothing contained herein constitutes, is intended, or deemed to be — either implied or otherwise — investment advice. Thomas Humphreys, Pacific Website Company Inc., and other entities in which he has an interest, employees, officers, family, and associates may from time to time have positions in the securities or commodities covered in these publications or web site. We reserve the right to buy and sell such securities or commodities without notice to readers. While the information herein is believed to be accurate and reliable it is not guaranteed or implied to be so. The information herein may not be complete or correct; it is provided in good faith but without any legal responsibility or obligation to provide future updates. Neither Thomas Humphreys, nor anyone else, accepts any responsibility, or assumes any liability, whatsoever, for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of the information in these publications or web site.

Forward-Looking Statements: This article may include certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential of the Company's properties are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this article. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Always do your own due diligence. We seek safe harbor.

We hate spam too and promise 100% privacy.

Global opportunities and leadership. Created by Tommy Humphreys.

We hate spam too and promise 100% privacy.

One thought on “Thanksgiving ‘must haves’: turkey pants”

Rusty Brown in Canada says:

October 10, 2014 at 8:50 am

Thanksgiving in Canada is always the 2nd Monday in October. The weather is usually much nicer and the fall colours at or near their best.

Greetings to all from Canada.

RB.

Comments are closed.

Thanksgiving ‘must haves’: turkey pants

One thought on “Thanksgiving ‘must haves’: turkey pants”

Real-time knowledge sharing for global investors: CHAT.CEO.CA