If you’d rather cut out the cooking and head to a restaurant this Thanksgiving, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, the National Restaurant Association estimates that 15 million Americans ate out last Turkey Day.
It’s obviously easier to skip slaving over a stove and washing mountains of dishes. But, be aware, you may also be ordering up a serving of stress.
Clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg, Ph.D., says a restaurant, alone, doesn’t erase tricky family dynamics or touchy history.
Here are three top tips to serve up an enjoyable meal for everyone.
i. Choose a point person
Pick someone to be in charge of organizing, and communicate via social media or group texts to keep everyone in the loop and make them feel involved in the planning process. Also, figure out how the check will be handled before the big day.
ii. Review menus
Some places have limited holiday menus. Review individual restaurant websites or try menupages.com or opentable.com before choosing a location. Obviously, take into account food allergies.
After that, the majority rules. You can’t make everyone happy all the time.
iii. Incorporate family traditions
Find ways to make it special by bringing family traditions with you to the restaurant—or start new ones! For example: bring photos or have everyone list the things for which they are thankful. Remember, it’s about the people you’re with, not the location, that makes a holiday.
