Being a vegetarian, a holiday travel avoider, and a city dweller, I regularly find myself away from the family on thanksgiving. The first year I did this, I went to a vegetarian potluck and hung out with strangers. B-O-R-I-N-G. The next year, I ramped it up a bit.

I have several friends who also are in the city and parentless on the holidays. Now we all get together and hang out for the day. It’s a great time for us to meet up, eat together, and have fun.

Throwing a Bastard’s Thanksgiving is easy. Simply invite all your orphaned friends over. Tell them to bring a dish to pass and a drink. If anyone has any games or new DVDs, have them bring them along. That’s it. No other planning is needed. Everyone shows up, eats, drinks, whatever. Soon you’ll probably find that even your friends with families will quickly skip out after dessert to come join in the much more fun thanksgiving at your place.

If you want to get fancy and cook a turkey, pumpkin pies, mashed potatoes, whatever, go for it. I personally just like to take it easy. And drink.