Turkey, Etiquette, and Texas Tradition

For years, I’ve helped serve classic Thanksgiving dinners at Wylie Christian Church right here in Abilene, Texas, where families, neighbors, and even strangers became friends over turkey, dressing, and warm slices of pie. Those meals taught me what Thanksgiving is truly about: gratitude, generosity, togetherness, and etiquette.

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According to two timeless guides, Emily Post’s Book of Etiquette and The Joy of Cooking, to me, Thanksgiving is more than just a meal. It’s an American ritual of a dish symbolizing comfort, care, celebration, and proper etiquette that has been shared through generations.

The Classic Thanksgiving Base

Emily Post called Thanksgiving a day of “gracious abundance.” The Joy of Cooking outlines the “base” meal that remains the standard for hosts across America:

Roast turkey with gravy
Dressing or stuffing
Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes
Green bean casserole or seasonal vegetables
Cranberry sauce
Fresh rolls or cornbread
Pumpkin pie for dessert

That familiar phrase, “turkey and all the trimmings,” captures it best.

Dressing vs. Stuffing, The Great West Texas Debate

Technically, stuffing is cooked inside the turkey, while dressing is baked separately. But here in West Texas, most folks call it “dressing” no matter where it’s cooked. And that’s perfectly fine, according to Emily Post, who cared more about kindness at the table than what you called the dish beside your turkey.

The Sweet Finish, A Slice of Etiquette

The Joy of Cooking says Thanksgiving dessert is “a celebration in itself.” The traditional trio remains unbeatable: pumpkin, pecan, and apple pie, each served warm, ideally with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

A Polished Texas Thanksgiving Message

Etiquette isn’t about fancy silverware; it’s about gratitude, respect, and the joy of sharing what we have. Whether it’s turkey and dressing or stuffing, or trimmings, Thanksgiving will always be about the people gathered around the table, giving thanks for another year of blessings.

As I’ve often said, “Etiquette isn’t about fancy silverware, it’s about gratitude, respect, and loving one another. It’s about putting our differences aside so we can dine together. Let’s not live in the past, let’s live in today and look forward to the future, the West Texas way.”