Going Out Guide: Thanksgiving Eve
Reunion night. Amateur night. Thanksgiving Eve. Whatever you call it, the night before Thanksgiving is second only to Saint Patrick’s Day. Everyone “comes home” from out of town and goes out. Every year since turning twenty-one, I’ve gone out, and I have stories from almost every year. This isn’t an ordinary night out, so I made an unfiltered guide so that we can all have a great time, minimize the drama, and stay safe.
Don’t try to see everyone, but do make a plan.
If you put pressure on yourself and others to see everyone in one night, you’re going to disappoint yourself and others. Even if you or your friend is only in town for a few days, be realistic. Just because someone decides to go out with a certain group doesn’t mean they value your time any less. It just means they have a limited amount of hours in a day. Try not to take in personally. This year, I’m heading out with a large group of girlfriends, and I’m not making promises to anyone that isn’t in our group that I’ll see them.
Skip the pregame.
Everyone at the bar is going to be in the spirit, and chances are, Becca that you haven’t seen from twelfth grade english is going to be buying everyone a lemon drop shot. Or Brett, your high school football captain that says he wants to “catch up over coffee sometime” (still don’t know you bro) is buying you and friends shots of fireball. My suggestion is, unless you want to be absolutely sloshed by the time you run into an ex, don’t split a bottle of wine with the ladies at dinner.
Everyone ubers/lyfts tonight. PERIOD.
Whether someone plans on drinking or not, it’s better to get an uber or lyft on a night like this. There is a lot of pressure on everyone to have a drink or two (like I just described). The last thing you need is your designated driver caving to the person who offered them a shot, and then saying “oh I’ll be fine.” Also, it’s more fun to uber! Everyone has one less thing to worry about. No need to shiver into the club, because your driver will drop you off a few steps from the door.
Food is a postgame essential.
Think of it as pregaming for thanksgiving. If you’ve been drinking, this will help you avoid a bigger hangover, and the last thing you want is to be miserable on a day you should be grateful. Also, to me, this night is all about nostalgia, and there’s nothing more nostalgic than sitting in Primanti’s at three a.m. in a clubbing dress eating fries. Something eternally youthful about that, and I’m here for it.
Stop with your expectations.
Like, seriously enough already. If you want to show up your high school bully at the club, run into an old fling, see all of our your besties in one night, feel like your outfit is perfect, STAHP. Chances are you won’t run into anyone, you’ll have a wardrobe malfunction, or friends will cancel. That’s life. Expectations are the reasons why Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve usually feel sucky. The less pressure you put on things, the better they will turn out. You should always strive to be the person that, even if everyone cancelled on you, you can still go to your neighborhood bar and have a good time, or stay in and rent a movie, or go to a show. I know as humans, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in our own daydreams, but accepting things as they are can bring you so much happiness. God always gives you just what you need.
SO good to be home with yinz guys again ;) Cheers.