Suggestions for a tiny Thanksgiving

So my dad is 87 and on a lot of drugs that upset his stomach. Plus he's just not a big eater anymore. This is our first Thanksgiving without my mom.

So it will probably be me, SO and Dad. We can't go out (my Dad is homebound for now). I don't want to invite people, because he needs peace and quiet right now.

Any suggestions for Thanksgiving for 2 1/2 appetites? Has anyone here ever done this?

you could roast just a turkey breast rather than a whole bird. Sides are easy enough to make in smaller amounts.

I hope you still have a lovely holiday together. :hug:

I'll get some bottled gravy (trader joes) and some other sides he likes

My son is working this holiday so there will only be the two of us.

You can also just roast a chicken if you wanted the whole bird, but if you are like us you prefer just the breast meat anyway.

plenty of leftover for him to have some when he comes home. Have a great holiday. :hi:

But the Guest of Honor and my SO like white, so we'll go with the breast and the chef can gourge on carbs...

I know you can buy drumsticks at some supermarkets here, and even get them already cooked sometimes. I'm a white meat eater so I have never bought one but do remember seeing them. Just think about setting at the table eating it like Henry VIII in those old movies. ;)

Otherwise, have fun with the carbs. They are my favorite part of the dinner anyway.

Make your favorite foods and enjoy! I don't worry about a little extra leftovers on that day.
Thanksgiving is only once a year.

If you know what your father's favorite food is and if he can still eat it, be sure to make it for him. :)

so I'll make sure to get some of that.

It's easier to cook and less overwhelming on a table set for three. Keep the sides simple and have fewer than you'd have with more people. Focus on the sides that are his favorites, if possible.
Plan to watch the Macy's parade or sports events together with him and otherwise just have a lazy day telling stories of your mother and others who aren't at the table. It's all about being together with family and loved ones, no matter how many or how few, and sharing.

We have had Thanksgiving dinner for 2 most years since we left the East Coast, but we're turkey fans so we buy a whole bird. We freeze most of it and make stock from the carcass. What we DON'T do is make extras of the side dishes and we only have one dessert.

It is about more than the food. :hug:

Another option would be to order the smallest of the holiday dinners that the grocery puts together.

:hi:

It works well for leftovers, too, hot or cold sandwiches, etc. For side dishes, I made what we liked, including dessert. Your Dad must have some favorites that will bring back memories, or those he can eat. I made apple crisp for dessert, since I'm not a baker. Holidays can be as big or small as you want. I did this for a few years and they were my favorites. :-)

http://www.food2.com/package/Thanksgiving-Dinner-for-Two-Four-or-Six

Thanks.

Lot of good suggestions from everyone. I knew DU would have some ideas.

I preferred making holiday meals for just the two of us. I just made what we liked. :-)

Alternative Thanksgiving Ideas
Simple Recipes and Menus
http://busycooks.about.com/cs/seasonalcooking/a/alternateThanks.htm

No leftover turkey sandwiches that you'd have if you cooked a breast, but small portions and more fancy than roasting a chicken. You can find Cornish hens by the chicken in the meat dept. Many grocers sell quail in the Frozen foods section.

I made them one fall (not Thanksgiving) using a recipe for stuffing that called for raisin bread, cranberries and pecans. Basted with cider. That was pretty durn good.

I did that one year for a tiny holiday.

Peking Duck to go.. Not a bad way to spend T-day.

You'll have leftovers for casseroles and many, many sandwiches. My family has an early Thanksgiving in October, because that's when we can all be together. On Thanksgiving Day, it's just me and my husband (and the cats) and that's what we do. (The cats, in particular, really appreciate it).

i still make a full-size turkey and cut up the white meat, esp. if it's drier, into 1 cup or 2 cups of chopped meat, that i keep in the freezer, so that i can make quickie turkey soups or pasta sauce throughout the rest of the winter

it's nice to have several days of turkey in the fridge (the dark meat which my hubby really loves) and then to have ready-cooked white meat in the freezer for other times for future recipes

i usu. roast around a 12 pound turkey, so i do use a small one

if his appetite is really tiny, you can stuff a cornish hen w. rice-based stuffing and split it (or roast two cornish hens -- i've done this both ways)