LOL! I can’t say I agree with everything in that piece (I know, it’s over-the-top humor, not necessarily meant to be taken literally—but still, it’s based on some measure of truth for some people) but yeah, I feel seen, and I’m sure many others do too.
The funnest Thanksgivings for me were the potluck “friendsgivings” in my early twenties just out of college (long before that term for it was coined—we called it “The Orphans’ Thanksgiving” because we were all from out of state, too far to travel home, plus any Mpls or MN natives who didn’t want to be with their families).
There were also some years where we had a small Thanksgiving meal with just a few friends, and then held an open-house for the rest of the evening with desserts, wine, and coffee, for folks to drop by after their own family meals. That way we got to see many more of our friends, and they got to blow off steam and tell their stories of their fraught (or not) family gatherings. That worked out really well, and a good time was had by all.
I love remembering you’re from MNPLS. My all time favorite Thanksgivings were a few years after college when I’d go visit one of my best friends who lived out there. She worked at the Seward Cafe, and the cafe would host a thanksgiving open to all comers.
My friend and I would go early and cook stuff in the kitchen with a bunch of other fun people. Others would bring food in already made, like a potluck. Someone would bring an art station for making hand turkeys. There was a grill and a campfire in the courtyard. The mix of people who showed up was awesome. Some treating it like a much needed soup kitchen and warm place to hang, others there with friends and family. The overall conviviality was what I would wish for everyone.
Seward Cafe! A mere five or six blocks from me One of my first housemates in Mpls worked there—that was back in 1977 or so. I hung out there some in younger days, and more recently for lunches after study-group meetings. It was often way too loud and crowded for me on a weekend, but yes a real scene of conviviality at any time. Since the pandemic and the Uprising it’s temporarily closed as a restaurant, but doing good community things.
Super rich. I think that next time I make it I will incorporate a little bourbon. I subbed half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips and I think that was the right choice.
One of my first housemates in Mpls worked there—that was back in 1977 or so. I hung out there some in younger days, and more recently for lunches after study-group meetings. It was often way too loud and crowded for me on a weekend, but yes a real scene of conviviality at any time. Since the pandemic and the Uprising it’s temporarily closed as a restaurant, but doing good community things.
. At least the dress code only has to cover what can be seen on camera! 
