And of course, to the portion of the “Kansas family” that resides in New Hampshire….
I do understand the pleasure of a smaller gathering. There’s a lot to be said for smaller groups where you can hear the conversations around the table, and you have the chance to speak at length to everyone who is gathered for your celebration.
My daughter-in-law does not do well in groups. Her horizon has been narrowing over the years and this Fall she told us that anything larger than four and she is uncomfortable. She and Dear Husband’s son have never celebrated Thanksgiving with us because my side of the family is so large. One day, we will have to pass the baton to someone else in my family, and hold a quiet celebration here, in the hope that she will be able to join us.
The obvious benefits to smaller gatherings are less set-up, less to clean up. Elegante Mother has been with us since Thanksgiving, so I have not done the clean up that I might have started Friday morning. I still have serving spoons and some glass items to wash, and I need to put away the glasses. The floors and carpets need a lot of work!
I have finally discovered who in the family has folding chairs that we can borrow in the future. We rented twenty chairs for the day when we might have borrowed them, instead.
On the other hand…..my house was filled with family, and I got to see family members I haven’t seen in a year, or six months. It’s wonderful to draw everyone together. I loved the laughter that rang through the house, and the hugs hello and goodbye.
So, I understand what you’re saying to be about enjoying “simple,” and agree that simple is good. But for now, excess reigns in this household. *G*
Arrrgh!!!
It's just my state of mind!
I have to agree with the daughter-in-law, I do and feel much better myself with small informal holidays. Not sure where the anxiety stems from but it happens on all holidays but Halloween.
From the photos I saw on FB looks like you all had a wonder time. Love,love,love seeing you!
janeywan, when I was growing up, my mother would anticipate special days, and was so eager for them to arrive. But when it was time to actually do whatever was planned, she refused to participate. We have always had odd holidays, needing to get past that initial discomfort. Once we “pursuaded” her that she needed to join us, all was well.
We all react to large groups in our own way. I love having my entire family gather, but I’m not terribly fond of large groups otherwise. I always thought it had to do with the fact that I had been a band director when I was younger, and had to be in places where hundreds of people were gathered.
A small party with one or two couples sounds like a lovely evening!
As for the picture on facebook, I was just being silly, and didn’t realize I was going to end up tagged for the world to see! lol Our celebration was almost over and I was glad to have a shoulder to lean into.
Having just spent 2-3 hours each of 3 evenings with a small group (2 evenings, there were just two of us), I can tell you that even small groups get noisy. No one in my side of our family seems to know how to speak in a normal volume of voice (a frequent complaint that I hear from HH about myself!) Topping that off, my aunt is getting forgetful enough (age 84) that she gets frustrated and angry and yells a lot. It was so nice to come back to a quiet home!
When I lived in Albuquerque and had at least one apartment on the west coast, where I would be working, people suggested that I should sell my Albuquerque home to save money. No way, Jose! I had to go home for a couple or three days every couple or three weeks to soak up some tranquility.
Cop Car, perhaps I can have my big family gatherings two or three times a year because I have so much tranquility in between. Our house is usually very quiet. There are only three of us now, plus a cat, and Second Son is on a work schedule that makes him a stranger to us during the week. I have the house to myself most of the day, and it’s very quiet. So, maybe it’s possible to gear up for those BIG family days because I know that when they have left, my house will once again be quiet, and tranquil.