Return Tradition to Our Traditional Family Holiday Dinners

Holiday dinners with the Italian side of my family are some of my best memories. With Thanksgiving coming up very soon, those memories are playing with my sense of reality, as fond memories tend to do. I just want to jump into those visions and be that little girl watching my grandpa, as head of the family, command everyone to "mangiare" (eat).

These events were full of playful banter and the occasional heated discussion that always ended in laughter and wine. Nevertheless, for the most part, they were centered around dining—cooking, drinking good wine, sharing, and eating.

One really can't just sit at the table and chow down though. This is especially true at the Italian table. I noticed this on our latest trip to Italy as well. Our interactions with one another are very important. And we weave our interactions around the meal. It's like an intricate dance of interaction and precise utensil usage, all the while complimenting the abundance of delicious food.

This is much the same in most households, I would imagine. We tend to use all our manners and social skills at the table. This is an excellent reason why table manners are so important. We teach our children most everything about being a civil, social person at the table. So, as we approach this holiday season, let's all try to slow down and make time to sit at the dining table and share time with those we love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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