We asked readers and you responded with a collective “yes” — and not simply by enjoying, as one reader wrote, “plenty of Manhattans.”

Two weeks ago, the Sun Journal asked you to share how much time you spend on the Thanksgiving meal and suggest tips for minimizing the work and maximizing the enjoyment. Answers for the latter fell into four categories (see related stories for more):

• Stay on top of your organizational game.

• Ask for more help from friends and family (i.e. outsource some of that baking or cleaning).

• Lower expectations for the day.

• Remember it’s worth it.

That last point was an underlying theme for readers. Sure Thanksgiving is work, but the rewards are many. “The love of family and friends energizes me,” said Patty Hackett of Auburn. “It fills my heart to see people come to my home and have such fun and great food.”

She said she grew up with her mom being the hostess and now enjoys the role, asking guests if they have a particular tradition or favorite pie she could make. A week before Thanksgiving she was already planning — and already making changes to — a menu for 20.

Gleaned from our poll results (see full poll results for more):

• Half of readers who responded said they spend a day or more planning the big meal. Nearly half spend all week getting the house ready. (Another 20 percent skip that cleaning bit altogether.)

• Half also said they spend a day or more cooking.

• Results were split between those who spend a half-hour versus an hour actually pulled up the table, eating.

• And more than 62 percent reported that men helped with dishes after.

“Everyone helps clean,” said Brenda Reynolds of Lewiston, who often cooks for six to eight guests, including international students from Bates College. Dinner plates are washed and reused in time for dessert. “I send people home with the dishes they brought. Nothing gets left at my house, no matter what.”

Most readers said they have a tradition of tugging on a turkey’s wishbone, with many generally wishing for a healthy, happy holiday for all. More than a few personalized their wishes.

Shirley Bernier in Lisbon said her family lost its house in a fire three years ago and has been in an apartment, downsizing from five bedrooms to three, ever since. Special occasions make them remember everything they lost.

“The special pot you used during the holidays isn’t there anymore,” Bernier said. This year she’ll wish to be in her new home by next Thanksgiving.

One reader wished for money, another to hit the lottery. One wished to bag a deer. Another for universal medical care.

Cher Parmenter in Greene, who’ll host 18 to 20 for the big meal, had a Thanksgiving-specific wish.

“I wish I didn’t have to clean the turkey carcass and pull the wishbone in the first place, but the guilt — and verbal wrath — of my grandmother for wasting any food inspires me year after year,” said Parmenter.

kskelton@sunjournal.com

We asked readers: What’s your secret for minimizing the work and maximizing the enjoyment of Thanksgiving?

“Frozen veggies are your friend!”

“If at all possible, take a vacation day from work the day before and day after Thanksgiving. Even if it means you have two less days off in the summer — it’s worth it.”

“I do all the condiments ahead like relishes, cranberry sauces, pickles, olives, cheese crackers, butter and sour cream a couple of days ahead and cover them in the refrigerator.”

“We barbecue our turkey, basting it in beer. No mess inside the house and a delicious bird!”

“Do what will actually make your guests happy and comfortable, not what you think you ‘should’ do. Join in the celebration. Turn off the TV and computer.”

“Do things like peel and cut potatoes and other side dishes the night before so they’re prepped for cooking. Clean the house lightly the night before so you’re not spending the holiday cleaning, and remember to visit and relax with your family and guests. P.S. DO NOT try new recipes for the holiday that haven’t been practiced and perfected! If something sounds good, try it out on your family a few weeks before Thanksgiving and find out if it’s a hit.”

“Every adult has to bring a dessert. Couples have to bring two and no duplicates. Nothing says fun like dessertfest! Oh, and I’ve never had my own mother to a Thanksgiving I was hosting! You can’t do it ‘wrong’ if your mother isn’t there to see you.”

We asked readers, What’s your wish for the wishbone?

“Peace and health on Earth!”

“Win the lottery with a big pay-out!”

“That my ex-husband find a place to spend the day other than with me!”

“That every person has a delicious, warm Thanksgiving dinner with family/friends/loved ones, and that no one is alone.”

“That both our kids go to college, get good jobs and travel the world.”

“To move out of Maine before the snow flies.”

“To get my deer.”

“That all family would be as happy and friendly, all year long, as they seem to be while together on Thanksgiving Day.”

Thanksgiving poll results!
About how much time do you spend shopping for your Thanksgiving meal?
a) Under 5 minutes – 10.3%
b) 1 hour – 64.7%
c) 5 hours – 25.0%
d) As long as it takes to make a reservation at Sedgley Place – 0.0%
If you’re hosting, about how much time do you spend planning and getting the house ready?
a) 1 hour – 7.8%
b) 5 hours – 26.6%
c) All week – 45.3%
d) Surely you jest… “Get the house ready”? – 20.3%
About how much time do you spending cooking and preparing the actual meal?
a) 1 hour – 7.5%
b) 5 hours – 40.3%
c) 1 day or more – 49.3%
d) Hmm…I’ll ask my husband. I just open and pour the wine on Thanksgiving – 3.0%
About how much time do you spending sitting down and eating?
a) 10 minutes or less – 6.1%
b) 30 minutes – 44.0%
c) An hour or more – 45.5%
d) We stand at the counter and pick all day; doesn’t everybody? – 4.5%
About how much time is spent cleaning up the meal?
a) The “help” takes care of it – 12.1%
b) 30 minutes – 18.2%
c) 1 hour – 54.5%
d) Most of the rest of the day – 15.1%
Percent of guests who help clean up in any meaningful way?
a) None – 15.2%
b) 10 percent – 38.5%
c) 50 percent – 30.1%
d) 100 percent – 15.2%
Any of them men?
a) Ha-ha-ha! – 31.2%
b) Yes – 62.5%
c) No, and for that reason those people are no longer invited. – 0.0%
d) My loving husband does all the cleanup, and I make it worth his while. – 6.1%

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