Finding the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family on the fourth Thursday of November too stressful, too formal and too judgmental, some Utahns are turning to another, often earlier course: Friendsgiving.
For Charmaine Keck, 41, the holiday has usurped Thanksgiving altogether. She said her event, hosted this year on Thanksgiving Day at her home in South Jordan’s Daybreak, is characterized by signature cocktails, a relaxing environment and the family she’s chosen.
“When my mom passed away, like, the siblings didn’t get along,” she said. “She was kind of the glue that forced us to get together. And when she passed away, I didn’t know what to do.