I can’t help but chuckle when Thanksgiving rolls around each year—it’s like a time machine that whisks me between two very different eras. Thanksgiving in the 80s and 90s was a world of its own. Now? Navigating a Thanksgiving meal with millennials feels like attending a tech conference...but with stuffing.
The Thanksgiving of Yesteryears
Back in the 80s and 90s, Thanksgiving was simple, predictable, and oh-so-delightfully chaotic. There were no food delivery apps to rescue the gravy that turned into paste or aunties posting photos of their pies on Instagram to fish for compliments like, “Oh, did I bake that? Why yes, yes I did!”
At the heart of every Thanksgiving was a meal entirely cooked by hand, or at least with fervent effort and a dramatic story about how long it took. The turkey was real, the gravy flowed freely (sometimes… too freely), and the pumpkin pie wasn’t some gluten-free, made-with-oats creation. Oh no. It was unapologetically rich, packed with old-school sugar, and probably came straight from a Libby’s can.
And the best part? The experience wasn’t meticulously documented. You awkwardly posed for one blurry photo in matching holiday sweaters, snapped by your mom using a disposable camera, probably while holding a half-eaten drumstick. How poetic.
Thanksgiving, Millennials Style
Fast forward to Thanksgiving these days, and I ask myself, Do we even eat without technology plastered across the table?
“Wait, don’t touch the food yet!” someone inevitably yells. And it’s not to say grace—oh no, it’s to capture the perfect flat-lay of the meal for Instagram. You know you’ve reached peak Thanksgiving #content when you’re choosing filters to make gravy look more appealing. (Hint: Valencia doesn’t always save the soggy stuffing vibe, folks.)
Millennials bring their quirks to the table, and sometimes that table is just a kitchen island because minimalism. Forget traditional turkey—I'll have tofurkey, thank you very much. And the conversation? Split evenly between debating if oat milk or almond milk is better in pumpkin pie and passing around someone’s QR code to check out something they bought from their favorite Etsy shop.
Oh, and gone are the days when leftovers were simply wrapped in foil. Now? They’re meticulously portioned into reusable beeswax wraps to be environmentally friendly. While we’re being sustainable, anyone else notice the pie is labeled “homemade,” but it smells suspiciously like something Costco made? I see you and your lie—I mean, pie—with love.
My Most Memorable Thanksgiving
Thinking about all these dramatic shifts takes me back to one of my most cherished Thanksgiving memories—the last time I pulled off a full Thanksgiving feast myself. It was years ago, back in my condo in Encino, when my son was just 2 years old.
I still remember the way the tiny condo kitchen filled with the warm aroma of roasting turkey, spiced pumpkin filling, and freshly baked biscuits. I meticulously planned, cooked, and decorated, all while chasing a wobbly toddler who was determined to “help” by sneaking marshmallows from the sweet potatoes. When the time came to sit down and eat, I looked around and felt so proud of the cozy chaos I had created—a memory steeped in love, laughter, and full bellies.
These days, Thanksgiving has turned into a marathon of hopping from one family home to another, each bringing its own unique flavor of joy. While I miss those days of hosting, there’s something refreshing about being a guest—less cooking and fewer dishes to wash! Because, really, who enjoys scrubbing pans when you could be enjoying pie number three?
A Moment to Reflect
While it’s easy to poke fun at how turkey day has evolved over the decades, the heart of Thanksgiving hasn’t changed one bit. It’s still about coming together—whether through passing handwritten family recipes or sharing a meme-filled group chat about how Aunt Susan burned the rolls again.
Thanksgiving reminds us that love and connection make every gathering special. Whether you’re feasting over vintage casseroles and disposable tableware or snapping selfies with your tofurkey, the magic is in the moments (and, okay, maybe the pie).
What About Your Thanksgiving?
I’d love to hear from you—what’s your favorite Thanksgiving throwback memory? Are you all about nostalgia and classic traditions, or do you fully embrace the millennial makeover of this holiday? Comment below or send me a message—if there’s a funny story to share, you know I’m here for it.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed this holiday season—you’re juggling family expectations, burnt side dishes, or simply trying to balance it all—just know this: you’re not alone. When it feels like too much, take a deep breath—you’ve got a universe of love and light backing you up.
From my heart to yours, happy Thanksgiving! 💛
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