i live too far away from people that would compel me to do it. for several years, i used to do a Friendsgiving with some people that were labor aristos and had a big place they opened up to all the far-from-home people in this little town with a chill but organized potluck (they handled the mains). mostly grad students and just dislocated people from wherever. that stopped during covid when the host couple moved across country.

ever since/the last few years, i do some kind of slow cooker b.s. so i can have bowls of hot food throughout the day while i fart around the house, maybe do some DIY or fiddle with decorative art. this year will probably be japanese curry rice and occasionally put some dumplings in the steamer while i work on some cozy touches for my diy remodeled kitchen dining cubby-space to make it have tokyo noodle bar vibes.

i try to have everything i need / might need at the house by wednesday so i don't leave the house on thursday or friday and be involved in retail. when i was younger, i used to work in a mall and similar places on those days and i distinctly remember the experiences as wringing out whatever childhood affection for the "start" of the christmas season remained.

...now here's Mariah Carey with "All I Want For Christmas Is You"