Cherished friends, here is an interesting question asked of The Lady, but one that is sure to apply to a number of people.
Dear Lady Hooper-Brackett,
For the past six years on the day after Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law has a party at her home. She feels that since we are all not together on the holiday proper, it can be a ‘second-edition’ Thanksgiving for us. She extends invitations to about a dozen of us in the family. My question is this: Is it really acceptable for her to heat up her Thanksgiving leftovers and serve these items to us as she has been doing? Don’t get me wrong, her cooking is wonderful, but I can’t help but feel that it is a little rude to be served leftover food. Who is correct here?
I Don’t Like Leftovers
Dear I Don’t Like Leftovers,
The Lady admits that she has never been asked this question before, so some time was needed to come up with a thoughtful answer.
- The Lady believes that since she is very upfront about this being a ‘second-edition’ Thanksgiving and is inviting family only, this is perfectly fine. The Lady wonders just what else you would be eating on the day after Thanksgiving if you weren’t eating turkey and all the fixings?
- Your sister-in-law is being gracious by providing a venue for you all to be together after not spending the holiday proper together. Her invitation is sent from affection.
- What’s wrong with eating food that is wonderfully cooked?
- The Lady is pleased to see that she will not be discarding perfectly good food, but sharing it with you all.
The one caveat to this that The Lady will add: It never seems proper to serve leftovers in any other circumstance than this one: Invite family or extremely close friends only and be upfront.
Try to be gracious yourself, even if you do not like leftovers.
Best Leftover Wishes,
The Lady Hooper-Brackett