My husband wants Chinese food on Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Turkey is easy to cook so you can cook that for Christmas. Everything else can be takeout. Don't tell the guests.

This is what I would do

[Anonymous]

It’s kinda messed up imo that he just announced this. However if he is the one doing all the week he gets to say he doesn’t want to do it. Order Chinese.

[Anonymous]

He has said what he’d like and why. Other people’s expectations are irrelevant. The man wants Chinese, give him Chinese, for God’s sake. Those prepared Thanksgiving dinners never really suit everybody. And don’t forget to lay in a supply of Tsing Tao.

[Anonymous]

I bet you could buy sides at WF. Make stove top, steam green beans, buy rolls, a pie and some mashed potatoes. Done.

[Anonymous]

Go for it. I usually do tge bulk of the thanksgiving cooking but if there was a year I wasn’t up for it I’d hope my family was supportive of mixing it up and getting takeout.

Back him on this. If your guests aren’t into the idea they can stay home or pop by for a visit and eat elsewhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He has said what he’d like and why. Other people’s expectations are irrelevant. The man wants Chinese, give him Chinese, for God’s sake. Those prepared Thanksgiving dinners never really suit everybody. And don’t forget to lay in a supply of Tsing Tao.

Why is "the man's" desire the most important?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He cooks every year for our immediate family plus my parents and his parents, plus my sister and her family.
This year he said he doesn't want to cook and just wants to do takeout. He literally declared this about an hour ago. He has been under tons of work stress, but he gave no indication that this would be too much for him. I offered to make a dinner reservation somewhere and he said no, he really just wants to stay home and veg out with takeout. I actually don't care but I cannot imagine either of our parents are going to go for this at all. My mom is going to offer to throw something together and she is way too old. His mother doesn't cook. WTF. DCUM. advise...

Honestly, this is kind of rude of him. He hasn't really given people enough notice to make other plans, and they've possibly turned down other invitations they would have enjoyed.

Can you just cook the turkey and ask everyone else to bring a side? Also poll them and see if they want any of the Chinese food your DH is ordering for himself.

If you don't want to cook yourself, I would make a dinner reservation for everyone and tell him he doesn't have to come.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He cooks every year for our immediate family plus my parents and his parents, plus my sister and her family.
This year he said he doesn't want to cook and just wants to do takeout. He literally declared this about an hour ago. He has been under tons of work stress, but he gave no indication that this would be too much for him. I offered to make a dinner reservation somewhere and he said no, he really just wants to stay home and veg out with takeout. I actually don't care but I cannot imagine either of our parents are going to go for this at all. My mom is going to offer to throw something together and she is way too old. His mother doesn't cook. WTF. DCUM. advise...

Honestly, this is kind of rude of him. He hasn't really given people enough notice to make other plans, and they've possibly turned down other invitations they would have enjoyed.

Can you just cook the turkey and ask everyone else to bring a side? Also poll them and see if they want any of the Chinese food your DH is ordering for himself.

If you don't want to cook yourself, I would make a dinner reservation for everyone and tell him he doesn't have to come.

And I don't even like Thanksgiving. We're not eating Thanksgiving food here. But I think it's rude to suddenly bail on elderly family members who likely can't fend for themselves as easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods might still be taking orders, honey.

For chinese food?! Honey?

[Anonymous]

We're having spaghetti.
Reading this makes me so glad I don't live near family. I don't miss the stress EVERY holiday brought.
Call the family, tell them what's going on, see what they agree to.
Don't make this harder than it has to be.
Make sure you have plenty of desserts. That will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He has said what he’d like and why. Other people’s expectations are irrelevant. The man wants Chinese, give him Chinese, for God’s sake. Those prepared Thanksgiving dinners never really suit everybody. And don’t forget to lay in a supply of Tsing Tao.

Why is "the man's" desire the most important?

He cooks the food.

OP - cook your mom’s turkey, add dressing or mashed potatoes, and a green vegetable. Order the Chinese food and make/buy a pie or three.

Side note: a friend’s mom is Chinese and the last Thanksgiving we went to at their house had a full traditional spread and then 4-5 Chinese dishes. It was awesome.

[Anonymous]

Eat Chinese on the good China, buy some silly table decor at party city. Make some pie. Some appetizers that you would normally have. Have some fun with it. I stopped taking Thanksgiving so seriously after 2020 and just the 4 of us. Enjoy the company and the lack of dishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods might still be taking orders, honey.

For chinese food?! Honey?

Your rewarding comprehension is terrible. Try using your context clues in the thread. My second grader can do it. I believe in you!

[Anonymous]

I’m not a big Thanksgiving person and don’t have a huge family, this sounds amazing OP. Get the takeout, enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can't you take this off your DH’s plate by handling it yourself? Order a precooked Thanksgiving meal from Wegmans and heat it up. Not too onerous for you, keeps extended family happy, and no stress for DH.

I offered to do this! He said no, I really have had a crappy work week and just want Chinese.

So do both, nbd.