No More Pumpkin Pie and Other New Traditions

I made the pie yesterday. It’s a caramel, chocolate pecan pie—a family favorite. I know, pumpkin is the traditional Thanksgiving pie. But here’s the thing about traditions—it’s good to stop and look at them occasionally. To think, why are we doing this? Does this still make sense? 

For years, I’ve been in charge of the pies. And for years, I’ve brought the traditional pumpkin pie along with the family favorite. I think it’s the perfectionist in me. If we have the picture-perfect Thanksgiving menu, then we will have the picture-perfect Thanksgiving…right? And every year, the caramel, chocolate pecan pie is gobbled up immediately while the pumpkin pie sits forlornly on the kitchen counter for a week next to the coffee pot. Feeling sorry for it, I cut off tiny slivers to nibble on in the mornings while I wait for the coffee to finish brewing. This year, new tradition—no pumpkin pie.

You may be wondering why I’m making a Thanksgiving pie in mid-October. Traditionally, Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday in November, but it wasn’t always that way. Abraham Lincoln selected this day when he made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. Then, in 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week, hoping to increase retail sales during the Great Depression. This proved to be a very unpopular opinion and the holiday earned the nickname “Franksgiving” until FDR relented. In 1941, he signed a bill returning Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday in November.


Serving up the turkey

Following in FDR’s footsteps, I’ve changed the date of Thanksgiving to Monday, October 16, and here’s why: FAMILY. For me, the most important Thanksgiving tradition is the opportunity to be together with the people I love. It doesn’t really matter whether we eat pumpkin or pecan, or celebrate in November or October. What matters is the opportunity to be gather with my family, eating, of course, and also pausing to reflect and give thanks.

Thanksgiving tradition: new ornaments for the tree

This year, Katherine will be in Ann Arbor on November 23. (Yes, she’s staying in town for the big rivalry game to watch Michigan beat Ohio State. Go Blue!) So even though the calendar says that’s Thanksgiving Day, we’re celebrating a new tradition today while she’s home for fall break—“Fakesgiving.”

Who's the turkey now?

Just like real Thanksgiving, we’ll have turkey and cranberries. Just like real Thanksgiving, it’s not perfect—like when I return from my third trip to the grocery store, discover I forgot the green beans again, and take out my irritation on unsuspecting family members. Just like real Thanksgiving, we'll pass the corn puddin' around the table and tell corny Thanksgiving jokes. (What does the turkey say when he surfs the internet? Google, Google.) 

As the holiday season approaches, think about your traditions. Which ones still make sense, and which ones need updating? We had a wonderful Fakesgiving today. The date may be “fake” but having family together for the holiday is a tradition worth keeping. And for that, I am thankful.


Lucky's post-turkey nap

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