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#Post#: 227--------------------------------------------------
Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Amara Date: May 12, 2018, 12:12 pm
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I've already refined my menu for this year but I think my mother
will pass on before the holiday. That means new plans. I am
thinking of a Friendsgiving one but am wondering if anyone here
as opened their table to strangers. I am talking about perhaps
inviting 2-3 members of the air force, which has a base about an
hour away from me, and who will likely otherwise be alone and
missing their families for the holiday. How did it turn out?
#Post#: 229--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Nikko-chan Date: May 12, 2018, 12:34 pm
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I would be wary about inviting strangers into your home. The
friendsgiving sounds lovely though.
#Post#: 230--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: guest7 Date: May 12, 2018, 12:35 pm
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I've never done that, but I do love your idea of inviting some
of our servicemen (or women) to share Thanksgiving with you. I
think that would be awesome.
#Post#: 244--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Gellchom Date: May 12, 2018, 1:50 pm
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I’m very sorry about your mother.
I think it sounds like a lovely idea. I wouldn’t worry too much
about inviting strangers, especially if you will not be there
alone.
I have often found that very quick and effective treatment,
although of course not a complete cure, for sadness,
homesickness, loneliness, shyness, etc., is to find someone to
help. My mother taught me that when I was a child, and I taught
it to my children, too. It always seems to work like magic and
so quickly. I hope it will help you, too.
#Post#: 290--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Lynn2000 Date: May 12, 2018, 6:22 pm
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I would be wary about inviting total strangers, but if the base
is near your home, perhaps a friend of a friend will be a
service member, and you can invite them as a
not-completely-total-stranger. And ask them to bring a friend or
two also!
It's not so much, "They might be a bad person," but it can just
be really awkward if they are truly a stranger and don't know
how to dress, what to bring, etc., and don't feel comfortable
asking you.
Thanksgiving is a few months away, so you have time to make
contacts at the base and perhaps get to know a couple people, at
least a little bit, so that by the time you invite them, they
will not really be strangers.
Also, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I think it's really
healthy to be focused on doing something positive that could
mean a lot to another person.
#Post#: 338--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: katiekat2009 Date: May 13, 2018, 10:34 am
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We've done a couple of different things. One year we invited
college students who couldn't go home for Thanksgiving. It was a
great blend of mostly foreign students and worked out very well.
Many other years, we were part of a group that provided a
Thanksgiving meal for hospital workers at our local childrens'
hospital. Both of these were very gratifying to us and much
appreciated by the recipients. I think your idea is lovely.
#Post#: 348--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Amara Date: May 13, 2018, 11:00 am
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Thank you all for the suggestions and ideas. I am not
particularly worried about "strangers" so much because I'd have
to go through someone on the base to get an invitation out.
Presumably the filters/people the invitation would pass through
would help in selecting good people who are lonely and away from
home. And they won't be my only guests, just additions.
Since I still have plenty of time, I think in July I'll begin by
perusing the base's website, assuming it has one. If not, I'll
call and start there.
Thanks again!
#Post#: 434--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: guest158 Date: May 14, 2018, 12:04 am
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[quote author=Lynn2000 link=topic=60.msg290#msg290
date=1526167320]
I would be wary about inviting total strangers, but if the base
is near your home, perhaps a friend of a friend will be a
service member, and you can invite them as a
not-completely-total-stranger. And ask them to bring a friend or
two also!
It's not so much, "They might be a bad person," but it can just
be really awkward if they are truly a stranger and don't know
how to dress, what to bring, etc., and don't feel comfortable
asking you.
[/quote]
I dare say that if the guest is so concerned about those kind of
details and too shy to ask, they're also the type likely to
decline the invitation.
#Post#: 491--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Judecat Date: May 14, 2018, 11:34 am
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As a Veteran, I love the idea, I would have been thrilled to
have someplace other than the mess hall to celebrate. I think
the first step would be to contact the head chaplain. They are
not only there for religious services but help in other areas.
#Post#: 503--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving Dinner
By: Moose Date: May 14, 2018, 12:06 pm
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I think inviting lonely service members to your table is an
amazing idea.
This year I have to work both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I
am off Christmas 2019 and since my family all lives several
states away, I was thinking of doing a sort of Open House type
thing for any officers in my area who are working just to drop
by and get some food and hot drinks between calls.
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