lake forest shores

Spending Thanksgiving Alone

November 27, 2025

Finally, Thanksgiving is HERE!!! This year, I'm about to do something different. Of course, I'm not the first to do it, as I'm sure there are millions of Americans celebrating the same way. Actually, statistics show that at least 5% of Americans will spend Thanksgiving alone; that's roughly 17 million people. Good to know I'm not really alone...Hahaha! As you know, Thanksgiving is often pictured as a gathering around a long table with family and friends, delicious food, endless conversations and plenty of TV watching.


These days, plenty of people are spending the holidays on their own. As for me, one side of my family lives too far away, and the other has way more drama than I signed up for. Spending Thanksgiving alone doesn’t have to feel lonely. In fact, it can be a rare opportunity to slow down in a world that rarely hits pause. Without the usual rush of cooking, hosting, or traveling, the day becomes a blank canvas, one you can fill with comfort, rest, or small joys that often get overlooked. Some will turn the day into a personal day of reflection, a chance to look back on the year, appreciate growth, or simply breathe deeply without any schedule to follow.

People are starting to realize that the holidays don’t always have to look traditional. Our jobs, our lives, the distance from family, or simply our own choices can shape how we celebrate. Spending Thanksgiving alone doesn’t make the day any less meaningful; it just makes it a little different, and honestly, sometimes even more enjoyable.

Even so, if the day feels heavy, little moments of connection can really help. A fast video chat, a text to someone you love, or even popping into an online community can remind you that you’re not actually alone. In my case, I reached out to my mom and a couple of friends to wish them a "Happy Thanksgiving", and before I knew it, I’d been invited to a Thanksgiving get-together I wasn’t expecting at all. I was about to order some Persian food today, but hanging out with good friends from the past might be the perfect change of plans.

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is about gratitude, and you can feel that just as deeply in a quiet room as you can in a house full of people. Whether you’re curled up under a blanket, out doing something fun, or simply enjoying some stillness, there’s no wrong way to spend the holiday.

From my home to yours, wishing all of my friends and neighbors at Lake Forest Shores a truly wonderful Thanksgiving Day filled with warmth, joy and laughter. Remember, try not to be a turkey this year by overstuffing yourself. Savor each bite, enjoy the flavors, and take breaks from eating. You really don't have to go for anything more than 2 servings. There's always tomorrow...