Thanksgiving at the Country Club

Thanksgiving Day on Amelia Island has always been one of my favorite days of the year. For many years we have spent the day frying turkeys with friends and family, catching some football on TV, and enjoying some quality bonding time with all involved. While making preparations for this year my good friend and turkey frying buddy told me that this year he had to spend thanksgiving at one of the family member’s country club instead of here at our house doing our holiday thing.

At first I was taken back, realizing that my special day had been changed, but then I realized that I was horrified for my friend. Now don’t get me wrong- if you grew up spending holidays at the country club instead of home then this would not be a problem for you. Most people, however did not grow up this way and don‚Äôt know how to handle this situation.

Thanksgiving has traditionally been a holiday where families and extended families get together and spend the day enjoying each other’s company. If you watch any that has a scene taking place on Thanksgiving, you will see a football game being played in the back yard, and turkeys being tended to inside the house. Nowhere do you see a Country Club come into play. Even in the classic movie A Christmas Story the family ends up in a Chinese restaurant after dinner is spoiled, not a country club.

The thought of spending this special day amongst lots of people I don‚Äôt know – just unnerves me. Having to dress up and go out is against my Turkey Day being. Here on Amelia Island we can usually look forward to decent weather. I can usually wear shorts and a T-shirt while enjoying myself with a cold beer or cocktail. All of the TV’s in the house will be on the football games, after – of course the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; and lots of interaction between friends and family will take place.

I hope my buddy and his wife can tear themselves away from their festivities in time to grab a hunk of fried turkey and have a cold one with me before we have to go to bed in anticipation of the early morning shopping frenzy known as Black Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving to all- no matter how you plan to spend it!!!