Are You Tired of the Same Thanksgiving Dinner Menu?

Ideas for a new Thanksgiving tradition by involving kids in the menu planning and cooking process, resulting in a non-traditional, enjoyable meal that includes everyone’s favorite dishes, thereby enhancing the holiday experience and reducing food wastage.

Are you tired of the same Thanksgiving dinner menu? October is upon us and time to start thinking about Thanksgiving Dinner. 

It will be here in the blink of an eye. Should I follow the traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie?

That menu has extended over the years to include homemade noodles, ham, and sweet potatoes. Or do I try something new and break away from the traditional?

That question became my dilemma several years ago. My husband thinks that Thanksgiving dinner has to include homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, and homemade yeast rolls.

To me, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the stuffing and sweet potatoes. But to the grandkids, they wouldn’t care too much. 

They don’t like half the food on the menu anyway. A couple of my grandchildren, I am sad to say are pretty picky eaters.

And after all the planning and cooking I was just simply tired of them not eating or even being involved with the holiday. So I came up with a plan.

The Idea

With kids, it is so hard to come up with food that everyone likes or will even eat. Some of my grandkids are picky eaters.

I became frustrated with all the planning and cooking to have them not eat a thing. So after a Sunday dinner get-together, I asked the adults to leave so I could have a meeting with the kids.

I have three grandchildren and at that time the ages ranged from 6 to 10. Of course, it was difficult to get all their attention.

The two youngest ones kept running around chasing each other, so it was difficult really to include them in the “plan” anyway. But I finally had their attention.

The plan was that they were to pick their favorite food. They had to do chores at home to earn money to buy that food item.

They would pay half and I would pay the rest. They had to cook that food item themselves (with my help, of course).

And we all would go grocery shopping for those items. They also had to write down and read what they were thankful for at the meal.

At first, they were not so sure about this plan but we continued to talk about it. The more we talked about it the more excited they became.

After agreeing I had the adults return and informed them of this grand plan. I have to tell you the parents were skeptical, to say the least, but they got on board.

Shopping

The day before the “big event” my daughter and I took the kids to Walmart to shop. We had lunch at McDonald’s first.

Then with our lists in hand, we began. It was chaos at first.

They all wanted to get their items first but we decided we would start at the back of the store and work our way to the front. We lost a couple of the boys’ attention because they wanted to go to the toy department.

We derailed that idea in a hurry. I have to say that they were very well-behaved for a group of three kids from ages 6 to 10.

Of course, there were a few mishaps but all in all, it went pretty well. Can you imagine the looks we got from the other shoppers?

Two female adults with three kids shopping in the grocery department of Walmart. Priceless!

The Night Before

That night they stayed at my house. I had kids everywhere.

On the floor, in recliners, and on the couch. A couple of the boys giggled most of the night.

I became frustrated because I needed my sleep for the big day. But they finally settled down at about 3 am.

Needless to say, not much sleep was had that night. But boys will be boys.

The Next Morning

Once I was able to get all the kids awake and motivated we began cooking. My kitchen is not very big but we got things organized.

The baked potatoes were wrapped and put in the roasting pan so that was one item done and one child out of the way. It did get confusing at times because I was everywhere trying to help them with their menu item.

We kept bumping into each other. A madhouse at times!

But in the end, it was so worth it! Laughter filled the house. 

Music to my ears. We got everything done and it was time to eat.

The kids each read their thankful notes with much laughter as well as tears. The menu you ask?

It was not your traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, corn, oven-fried chicken legs, green bean casserole, chicken nuggets, macaroni, and cheese, to name just a few.

Oh, and the adults had to provide the dessert. The kids got to participate and enjoyed it.

And I have to tell you that the fighting and bickering that usually goes on with so many kids in the house was non-existent, (they were too busy cooking) and helping each other as well.

Not Just for Thanksgiving

Now I have thought about this since then. Wouldn’t this be a wonderful idea for Christmas dinner as well? 

I know that there are times when you just want a fancy-schmancy meal for the holiday. But Christmas is about family and being together.

What better way to be together than to cook together? Let the children plan and help cook the meal. 

That way you know they are going to eat. Make it a truly family affair.

You may have a few bumps in the road but isn’t that what life is all about? The kids will feel included. 

And instead of having them write what they are thankful for, you could have them write a paper on the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouth of babes!

What memories you will be making?  And the stories to tell to future generations!

My Final Thoughts

• Seeking New Flavors: Many people are exploring alternatives to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, opting for dishes like roasted duck or vegetarian lasagna to bring new flavors to the table, similar to how some choose fish or tofu as alternatives to meat in their diets.
• Incorporating Global Cuisine: Incorporating dishes from different cultures, like Mexican tamales or Italian risotto, can refresh the Thanksgiving menu, much like how fusion cuisine combines elements from various culinary traditions to create new experiences.
• Updating Classic Dishes: Traditional sides like green bean casserole or mashed potatoes are being reinvented with new ingredients or cooking techniques, akin to how a classic cocktail might be updated with a modern twist.
• Dietary Considerations: With the rise of dietary preferences and restrictions, Thanksgiving menus are evolving to include gluten-free, vegan, or keto-friendly options, reflecting broader food trends and health-conscious choices.
• Interactive Food Experiences: Some families are opting for interactive dining experiences, such as build-your-own taco bars or fondue, making the meal more engaging and personalized, similar to the popularity of DIY meal kit services.

Are you tired of the same Thanksgiving dinner menu? There is absolutely nothing wrong with tradition.

But you can make new traditions to go with the old. Why not?

The meal was a true family affair. The kids were involved from beginning to end.

And with them making the menu, they ate what was put on the table. Sure there were some frustrating moments on my part, as well as the kids but we got through it without much mishap.

The bickering among the kids was nonexistent, a miracle on its own as they were busy concentrating on their cooking skills. And everyone agreed this was the best Thanksgiving dinner ever!

So why not try something new? You may find that you have started a new tradition!

What do you think? Ready to try something new?

It may be a failure but then you never know. Please leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

And as always, have a wonderful day!

FAQ: Are You Tired of the Same Thanksgiving Dinner Menu?

1. What are some new traditions I can try for Thanksgiving dinner?

• Involving Kids: Consider involving kids in the menu planning and cooking process. This can make the meal more enjoyable and ensure it includes everyone’s favorite dishes.
• Interactive Experiences: Introduce interactive dining experiences like build-your-own taco bars or fondue, which make the meal more engaging and personalized.

2. How can I accommodate different dietary preferences during Thanksgiving?

• Diverse Menus: Incorporate dishes from different cultures or consider alternative main dishes like roasted duck or vegetarian lasagna.
• Special Diets: Update classic dishes with ingredients that cater to gluten-free, vegan, or keto-friendly diets, ensuring everyone at the table has options they can enjoy.

3. What are the benefits of changing the Thanksgiving menu?

• Reduced Food Wastage: By allowing guests to choose their favorite dishes, you can ensure that food is enjoyed and not wasted.
• Enhanced Engagement: When guests, especially kids, are involved in the cooking and planning, it can reduce bickering and make the holiday more memorable.