New England Sure Loves Thanksgiving: 5 Off- Brand, Unique Ways to Celebrate

Thanksgiving: Turkey, football, family, parades and pie are long-standing traditions for many New Engandlers (and who doesn’t love an extra long weekend?), but there are people who do not celebrate these ways. What’s Up Worcester offers alternative ideas.

Indigenous people generally do not celebrate Thanksgiving. Sensitivity to local tribes is important on Thanksgiving, as it is to other groups of individuals who may not be joyful on the long weekend starting with the fouth Thursday of November. Some individuals are grieving or missing loved ones.

The US always has troops overseas and recent deployments to the Caribbean includes a “naval deployment represents roughly 14 percent of the Navy’s global combat fleet” according to military.com. People without family nearby (or at all) aand those in treatment programs, hospitals and prisons don’t have the same opportunties to celebrate.

Some people have food challenges such as eating disorders (click for resources), fitness protocols (eg “peak week“) or diets (such as for diabetes) that might exclude them from Thanksgiving dinner. People recovering from, or in the throws of addiction, alcohol included, may be triggered by the increase in alcohol consumption on holidays. And, believe it or not, football isn’t in everyone’s wheelhouse.

What’s Up Worcester has no hate for Thanksgiving tradition, but we like to give alternative perspectives and promote inclusion. By all means, have turkey and stuffing, and also remember Worcester thrives on diversity and inclusion. If you are a loyal Pats fan, you know they have won three out of their five Turkey Bowl games and football may be your go-to way to relax. Go for it! If you love parades, the Macy’s Day 99th extravagana will air on NBC and Peacock starting at 8:30 am. Who could hate Snoopy!?

What’s Up Worcester honors diversity, applies sensitivity and offers some alternative suggestions.

Q: Can I skip the meal?

A: With so may local families struggling to put food on the table and impacted by the government shut down, this is a great question! Of course you can! Change up your traditions in solidarity with your neighbors and friends who don’t have the means to prepare a full turkey dinner. Skip it because you aren’t comfortable with the historical and cultural implications of Thanksgiving. Or pass up the stuffing because the holiday isn’t relevant to your culture, lifestyle, or traditions. There is no wrong way to spend Thanksgiving Break. Just because a day is considered a National holiday, you aren’t compelled to act in ways that don’t align with your beliefs. There are alternatives. A benefit of living in a culturally diverse city like Worcester is the availability of options and resources to help a neighbor, break from tradition and try something new!

Gratitude

First things first, there is always something for which to be grateful. Studies show that practicing gratitude is a proven method to enhance well-being, increase longevity and compliment treatment of seasonal depression and anxiety. Eating food and drinking alcohol are not the literal equivalent to practicing gratitude. A meal and giving grace is certainly one way to show gratitude, but there are others. It doesn’t cost money or much time to make a gratitude list, go to Mass or make space to pray or simply reflect on the good things, as small as they may seem. Practicing gratitude also temporarily pauses the madness in the world around us today, puts politics aside, and increases tolerance and patience for our fellows.

 “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

John F. kennedy

Service

Put your days off to good use by serving a meal at a shelter, volunteering at a food pantry or doing city clean up. Small acts of service such as helping a neighbor rake their lawn or bringing a meal to a friend undergoing cancer treatment can and should be practiced year-round, but with the seasonal theme of “giving thanks” goes the theme of “giving.”

Reach out to Catholic Charities to be involved in their Bishop’s Dinner, offer Salvation Army holiday help or join the city effort Keeping Worcester clean. Search for food pantries and help during the current SNAP crisis. (And please, if you need food assistance, use the same link.)

Friendsgiving

Celebrate friendship! Have a slumber party with the kids. Open your home to those less fortunate. Gather with your friends on Thursday or any day following and have a potluck or try one of the creative ideas below.

Take your pals to European Bakery for a sweet treat November 19-26. They are highlighting a special item — Double Chocolate Babka ($12) — and 100% proceeds go to Rachel’s Table to support food-rescue efforts across Worcester County.

Culturally Diverse culinary or communal celebrations

Take the financial burden off one host and share in coming together with family or friends with these different takes on a holiday meal. Potlucks divide the costs, and homecooked food is less expensive than prepared and packaged foods.

These ideas also offer a way to be sensitive to those with food allergies, special diets, and eating disorders, because the focus is less on the food and more on togetherness.

• Global Feast: Host a potluck meal featuring dishes from around the world—like Italian pasta, Indian curries, Japanese sushi, or Mexican tacos. Each guest can bring a dish from a different culture. Better yet, turn it into a recipe-sharing or cooking lesson event!
• Brunch Gathering: Swap the turkey for waffles, omelets, pastries, and mimosas. A cozy brunch can feel festive without the heavy dinner vibe.
• BBQ or Cookout: If the weather allows, grill burgers, ribs, or veggie skewers outdoors. It’s casual and social, perfect for a relaxed celebration. Toss a football around, we aren’t against that!
• Vegetarian or Vegan Feast: Create a plant-based menu with stuffed squash, lentil tacos, roasted vegetables, and dairy-free pies.

• Soup and Bread Night: Serve a variety of soups—like butternut squash, tomato basil, or chili—with fresh bread and toppings. It’s simple, warm, and comforting.
• Tapas or Small Plates: Offer a spread of bite-sized dishes—cheese boards, sliders, dips, and finger foods—for a more social, grazing-style meal. If tapas is your style, check out Bocada Tapas Wine bar
• Picnic Indoors: Lay out blankets, make finger sandwiches, salads, and snacks, and enjoy a laid-back “picnic” in your living room.
• Pizza Party: Make or order pizzas with creative toppings. You can even do a “build-your-own” pizza bar.
• Movie Marathon & Snacks: Skip the formal meal and enjoy popcorn, nachos, and desserts while watching favorite films together.

Each of these options keeps the spirit of togetherness and community while breaking away from the traditional turkey-and-stuffing setup. No alcohol needed. Mocktails are very trendy, and kids can drink these fun beverages, too!

Quiet time

• Have a stay-cation: Snuggle up with books or movies, turn off your phone, do a social media detox and relax. Practice self-care with bubble baths or gym time. Take refreshing walks in the crisp autumn air and practice gratitude for the days off from work or school. Make or view some art. Worcester Art museum free Fridays or local galleries such as the Harold Stevens Gallery at WCUW are options for taking in some visual culture. Creatures of Worcester 5 is live at WCUW, through Friday November 28.

• Book an Air BnB: Take a last minute trip to the Berkshires or spend a few days in Boston. Travel at non-peak hours, such as when many people are sitting down to dinner on Thursday, or take the train to Boston for the weekend for $10. The MBTA “offer[s] a Holiday Weekend Pass for Thanksgiving, which falls on a Thursday. For Thanksgiving only, travel is unlimited Thursday through Sunday. This studio in Cambridge, near the Museum of Science and public transit, is listed at $269 for three nights! This guest house in Williamstown is listed at $274 for two nights.
• Clear up your clutter: the Thanksgiving break allows time to clear out your house or your mind of that which is not serving you. It can be an opportunity to collect and donate items sitting in the back of your closet or make sure you have winter boots, ice melt and snow removal equipment at the ready for a Worcester winter.

Whatever you choose to do for the 5 day break, we hope you all stay safe, enjoy your time, and embrace Worcester’s community spirit!

Author note: What’s Up Worcester is not affiliated with, nor advertising for AirBnB or other organizations. Links are intended for information and not promotion.

Betsey Taft Kennedy, Managing Editor, What’s Up Worcester, betsey@whatsupworcester.com

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