How can I settle with myself not cooking this Thanksgiving?

This happened to me last year... I compromised with the hubby though - If he took me out on Thanksgiving night, I still got to cook a small meal for just the 2 of us! I bought a small turkey breast the day after Thanksgiving (I am always looking for good sales) and made a little stuffing and a small amount of trimmings to go with it (total cooking time less than 3 hours)... so we still had the leftovers without the hours of cooking and the leg cramps to go with it! If you compromise with him and tell him you will agree to dine out only IF he agrees to getting a small meal with the benefits of leftovers the day after.... It will settle your mind and still make him happy to be able to do something special for you - and after 21 years... it sounds like you have earned a night off!!!

Thanksgiving is very important.

If you really would rather cook, make a deal to let him do the dishes and to help elsewise in the kitchen. Part of the process is involving everybody.

I consider cooking on Thanksgiving to be a very sacred thing. I would not be able to comfortably give it up. It is hard enough not raising my own turkeys. I may start doing that again.

ewwwww, that hurts. You sound like me. I also love going out to dinner cause it does not happen too often so just cook a "home" thanksgiving of your own so you have the leftovers a week later.

How about he just helps you cook and clean? And if you have other family they can help you set the table. On thanksgiving we all pitched in and helped. We didn't make one person do everything.

It's Thanksgiving. Just be thankful that you do not have to cook.

go....and enjoy yourself, you deserve it