AIBU to think my American neighbour is taking this too far?

[MelaniaLovesLemon]

She’s already invited us to Thanksgiving (yes, in September) and has given me a little to-do list...
Bring a casserole, make miniature turkeys out of whole walnuts(?), and have something prepared to say about what we’re thankful for, and I need to bring my own chair. She’s quirky, loud and brash with a weird husband, and has a habit of turning up unannounced with crazy schemes.

Recently she came for an aperitif in our cute garden, and practically inhaled the entire tin of prawn cocktail Pringles that I was saving for my DS and then simply helped herself to another glass of wine without asking, apparently she wants that wine for the dinner?

Another time she invited me round at 9am to taste test three different types of stuffing, for the Thanksgiving. I could not possibly eat all that at 9am!

I don’t know if I’m being rude thinking this is all a bit much?

I’ll concede it could have been cranberry 🤮

fwiw I'd make these and just used craft glue, coloured construction paper/card stock and nuts. I might buy googly eyes, but that's as far as I'd go be ause I'm not great at crafts. 😵‍💫
there are lots of how-to vids/sites, though.

ourhumbleabodeblog.com/2010/11/02/turkey-day/

She seems full-on but friendly.
Why put the crisps out if you didn't want anyone eating them?
Helped herself to another glass of wine- you don't sound v hospitable! Not something most of us would do, but again, is it that big a deal!?
Not being able to taste stuffing at 9am is a you problem- not objectionable to ask, and surely one teaspoon each isn't such an ordeal.

Now I want stuffing

You sound like an insufferable snob. Aperitif. Pringles aren’t the norm, my goodness me no. Do her a favour and stay at home, and mock her from a distance.

In my family, we have dispensed with the "what I am thankful for" tradition. Thanksgiving almost always happens after a recent election, in every two years a big one (presidential or the mid-terms). Our family, like many in the US, is made up of a multitude of political persuasions, and the impulse to be thankful for the outcome of an election that some others are mourning is hard to resist by some.

Its the whole American custom thing. Its not a British thing so no don't ram it down our throats.

I bet you do Phnarr Phnarr

We are currently in the US. I love Thanksgiving here; far less stressful than Christmas. It was nice of your neighbor to invite you, she clearly enjoys your company. However, it seems like you are looking for things that she does that annoy you, so i you should probably send your regrets.

My DIL is American. She lives in the UK with my eldest son. They invite us to Thanksgiving every November. We eat lovely food and watch the Macy's parade. Absolutely fabulous.

And who knew you could buy prawn cocktail in a tin?

It has British origins, though. It is derived from thanksgiving for a good harvest that was often celebrated in English churches and that was brought to colonial America by English settlers.

Oh, and I am absolutely stealing "Turkeyzilla"! 😂

Thanksgiving is the absolutely best part of being American. It’s a wonderful holiday. We have moved away from the original origin story to a celebration of family and gratitude. There are no gifts, no religion, no division. It’s about sharing good food with family and friends.

It is traditional to bring a dish to contribute and bring assigned a dish is common. a craft assignment is odd.

I think it is lovely to be asked and natural for someone to do what is special to them from their original home
Sounds like she considers you a friend and maybe misses doing it with friends and family back in America.
I'd say yes and just be open to new experiences.

*'with a weird husband'

Please tell me how to achieve your life, it genuinely sounds epic 😄🙌🏽🙌🏽 xx

It would have been. Not pumpkin puree.

Inviting your neighbor to share a holiday meal is "ramming it down your throats"? I despair!

@MelaniaLovesLemon she simply just sounds American .
You either like her or you don’t .
You either go or you don’t

Are you going for thanksgiving?

Agree!

Id love the zest for life that she sounds like she brings. Wish she was my neighbour .

Tell her that our thanksgiving day 4th of July

Been there (USA), done that. It’s basically what we call Christmas dinner one month early. The positives about it are:

Americans get zero holidays from work. Since thanksgiving is always a Thursday, workers get a four day weekend — ostensibly to travel home for Thanksgiving. No other holiday does that. Even Xmas.

It is a unique holiday in that it does not have a gift giving element to it, so is seen as fairly wholesome.

It holds back Xmas in the shops. Definitely a plus for me.

That said, your neighbour sounds excessively excited about it.

She’s not really hosting as she seems to be outsourcing all the work to her guests! Plus the spends if she’s expecting op to bring the wine too

i couldn't bear it tbh - being told to do something puts my back up. Would be different if she asked!

the aperitif - well whilst serving herself isn’t the done thing it’s also not crime of the century. Not sure how she got her hands on the Pringles and why you didn’t just remove the pack and put some on a plate and the rest in the kitchen for your son

Goodness I am surprised you are seeking views .. you clearly do not wish to participate. Just decline in a way to do so politely. She sounds a lot of fun, your idea of entertaining not so much ... so I doubt you would enjoy the evening.