Thanksgiving at the Workplace

Each year, stations come together for a Thanksgiving meal the week of the holiday.  We are like one big dysfunctional family around here. Let me tell you how it all goes down (and yes, I'm already laughing).

When we have turkey and dressing, it's store bought.  You know food industry guidelines kinda prohibit use of a lot of salt because of some people's dietary restrictions.  Have you ever had low-sodium dressing?  Unfortunately, I have. Anyway, let me continue...

To go with our turkey and dressing is a variety of food that do not go together.  It's an unorganized potluck. We pretty much decide what we're going to bring with no regard for what else is being served.  We'll have corn, sweet potatoes made with bourbon in them, collard greens, blackeyed peas, potato salad, a rice casserole, jerk chicken, Mexican cornbread, spaghetti, sweet peas, and anything else you can think of.

The past few years, I've been forgetting to bring my dish. So, I just run next door and get a pan of okra! Can't go wrong with a pan of hot, hard-fried okra!  They don't care that I didn't cook it.  So, we go to the conference room (which seats about 12 comfortably) and squeeze about 20 people in.  Ed Ramsey takes it upon himself to pop the can open for any lady sitting near him with a soft drink.  He then takes napkins and makes us roses.  It's such a sweet gesture I almost feel bad about balling it up and throwing it away after the meal.  I mean, it's a napkin! What am I supposed to do with it? LOL

We then, sit around and laugh and talk, enjoying each others' personalities and stories of things we've experienced.  This is one of the few times during the year that I'm actually able to sit and laugh with the majority of my coworkers at one time.  It makes me a bit more grateful for my work family.

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your workplace?  Do you have dinner together? Decorate the office?  Feel free to share stories and pictures!