After the Feast: Carrying the Spirit of Gathering Forward
Thanksgiving has already come and gone here in Canada, and I’m still carrying the glow of it with me. For me, it’s never just about the turkey or the pie; it’s about gathering around a table, with family. With stories and traditions that have been passed down and reshaped through the years.
As a child, my memories of Thanksgiving are tied to the Valley with trips to my grandparents, the smell of autumn air, and the sweater weather that still gives me all the feels. Now, as an adult, I’m often the one setting the table and pulling family together. And while I love it deeply, I’ll be totally honest: hosting a big dinner can be a lot of work.
That’s why, for most of my adult life, we’ve leaned into the beauty of potluck dinners. Everyone brings something, and together the table fills with flavours we’ve come to love through the years. At the end of the day, what matters most isn’t whether every dish is homemade by me, but the people gathered and the foods that carry our traditions forward.
(Photo: My family and I around the dinner table at a restaurant)
The Potluck Mindset: Year-Round
Potluck isn’t just a Thanksgiving survival strategy; it’s a way of approaching hospitality that can work all year long. I always create a menu and make a list, sometimes SEVERAL lists (menu, details of the tablescape, music, to-do’s, etc.). That way, no one feels overwhelmed and we avoid ending up with five versions of mashed potatoes. Instead, the meal feels balanced and everyone has a hand in it.
And I can’t resist starting any gathering with soup. My mom always, always had a fresh pot simmering on the stove. You know, that kind of comfort that seemed to greet you before she even said hello. A big pot of butternut squash with cream (I don’t even like squash, to be honest, but I love a good puréed soup!), roasted smoked tomato, or a vegan cream of broccoli feels like an invitation to pause. Soup slows us down, encourages conversation, and makes even an ordinary dinner feel like something worth lingering over.
These days, our table has expanded to include vegan and celiac family members, and that has stretched me in the best way. It’s fun to re-imagine recipes so everyone feels welcome: a gluten-free stuffing, a plant-based side, a twist on tradition that makes space for everyone.
The Secret Is Still: Do What You Can Ahead
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a Saturday night dinner, or Sunday brunch, the secret doesn’t change: do what you can ahead of time.
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Chop vegetables in the morning or the night before
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Set the table in the morning before guests arrive.
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Make soup, gravy, cranberry sauce, and dressing in advance- sometimes even the day before; they reheat beautifully.
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Set the timer on your coffee machine to come on at just the right time!
And one of my favourite hosting hacks is to outsource dessert. Lately, I’ve been ordering pies or cakes from local bakeries that offer gluten-free and vegan options, or simply asking someone else to bring dessert. It removes one big to-do from the list and ensures everyone gets to enjoy a sweet ending together.
I’ve always been a lover of the magic of Sunday brunch. There’s something special about a late-morning meal filled with good coffee, amazing egg dishes, and a few carbs to share. It’s relaxed, cheerful, and unhurried. Our kids love it too. It’s the perfect time to catch up, to laugh about the week that was, and still have the rest of the day to prepare for Monday.
Brunch feels like the easiest kind of gathering. No formal courses or heavy cleanup, just a table filled with comfort: fluffy pancakes and preserves, a frittata with roasted vegetables, maybe baked goods from one of our favourite bakeries. It’s proof that togetherness doesn’t have to wait for the holidays; it can live in those slower Sunday moments too.
Setting The Table: Not Just For Holidays
Even after Thanksgiving has passed, I still find so much joy in setting the table with autumn’s colours. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Just a few thoughtful touches can transform even a simple meal into something memorable.
🍂 Mini pumpkins and gourds tucked between serving dishes
🌻 Fresh flowers in warm, autumn hues
🍁 Fallen leaves or branches gathered from outside
🧣 Autumn-themed runners or tablecloths that set the mood instantly
🕯️ Candles to soften the space
🧡 Napkins in seasonal tones like mustard, rust, deep green, layered and mixed
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s atmosphere. A table that feels cozy and welcoming has done its job, even if the napkins aren’t ironed or the dishes don’t match.
(Photo: This is what our Thanksgiving table looked like this year; the colours bring me so much joy.)
Beyond Thanksgiving - Living Gratefully
What I love most about this season is that gratitude doesn’t belong to just one holiday. Thanksgiving may be behind us, but the spirit of gathering, sharing, and savouring belongs to everyday life too.
Sometimes that looks like a potluck around my own table. Other times, it’s soup simmering on the stove for a weeknight meal. And honestly, there are days when I’m just too tired to host, and that’s okay too. On those nights, we’ll head to a restaurant and let other amazing people serve and feed us. Hospitality doesn’t always have to come from our own hands; it’s just as nourishing to receive it from someone else.
Whether it’s a weekend meal shared with friends, a slow Sunday brunch, a cozy weeknight dinner, or a table dressed simply with pumpkins and candles, these little rituals remind us that hospitality isn’t about performance. It’s about presence.
And maybe it’s also about carrying forward the little traditions that ground us, like the smell of soup simmering on the stove, just the way Mom used to do.
As we move deeper into autumn, with shorter days, cozy meals, and sweater weather, I’m carrying the feast forward. Not in leftovers, but in mindset. Connection at the table, in all its forms, is what nourishes us most.
How do you keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive once the holiday has passed? Do you lean into small gatherings, weeknight rituals, or cozy family dinners? I’d love to hear your traditions.
Lots of love,
Marsha
