Barbecue Is A Thanksgiving Staple At This South Carolina Farm
For this South Carolina family, the day done right includes in-laws, outlaws, pig picking, horseshoes, and feeling downright blessed. A large Thanksgiving feast is highlighted by fun traditions, plenty of sweets, all the fixins, and no strangers. Everyone is welcome. No need to get fancy. This day is about spending time together. See how this South Carolina family plans the day, and get inspiration for your own gathering.
Family Thanksgiving
"Come one, come all," said Uncle Duffy, the first time he hosted Thanksgiving at his family farm. And everybody came.
Fifteen years later, everybody still comes: immediate family and extended family, in-laws and cousins of cousins, our second-grade teachers, even the occasional boyfriend who's here one year and not the next. Every November, our kooky band of almost 60 people bumps down the road to Uncle Duffy's 1890s farmhouse in Nesmith, South Carolina. The familiar drive promises a day full of throwing horseshoes, good-natured teasing from loud uncles, and a potluck dinner that puts you in a food coma.
Whether we've known you for years or don't even know how you ended up at the farm, on Thanksgiving, you're part of the family.
The Location
An 1890s heart-pine farmhouse in Nesmith, South Carolina, is the home of this years-old Thanksgiving tradition.
Plenty of Desserts
No Thanksgiving dessert buffet is complete without a range of fall-themed desserts to stack on your plate. From apple and pecan pies to pumpkin spice cake, there's never a shortage of sweet treats, if you have room.
Best Seat in the House
There’s no rule that dictates the Thanksgiving meal has to be a formal affair. Eschew place settings in favor of a casual meal where guests can roam and enjoy each other’s company. For this family, while some score a spot at an outdoor table or in a rocking chair, most of the younger crowd balances plates on their laps, legs dangling off the porch. Conversation is an important part of the menu.
Horsing Around
No day at the farm is complete without a game or two of horseshoes behind the barbecue shed. The day's activities are just as important as the food. Whether it's a game of flag football or an after-meal walk, activities don't need to be fussy, as long as everyone can have a good time.
Happy Hour
Everyone gets the chance to play bartender at the fully stocked Bloody Mary bar. This crowd likes 'em spicy. Large-batch drinks like a spiked punch or sangria are also good choices.
Popular Vote
Choosing the worst dish of the day is all in good fun. Ballots are top secret—and the voting is rigged. (Uncle Duffy always declares his own contribution the winner.) Keep the competition going every year like Uncle Duffy’s crew, or start another friendly competition, like a pie-eating contest.
Finger Food
There's no need to be shy around the barbecue pit! All are encouraged to grab a bite straight off the pig. It's always a good time for barbecue.
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