Andrew reflects my opinions on the mysterious need of Americans for TWO successive family feasts that almost always end in tears. While I enjoy a celebration to cheer us all up in the darkest days of winter¹, it really depends on who you spend it with. Don’t get me wrong; I like spending time with friends and family. Mainly because we have no expectations of each other and the occasion. I’ve heard tell of families (first-hand, mind you. not friends of friends etc.) where EVERY big holiday ends in tears, usually because of highly romanticised notions of what these occasions should be like². And even after their disappointment of Thanksgiving, they still go into Christmas all-guns-blazing and expecting it to be perfect. It’s like expecting to find turkey and trimmings on the table, but getting turkey vulture instead:

¹ OK, maybe not in LA.
² This seems to be more prevalent here than in the UK. Or perhaps my friends in the US are of a different ilk.