Celebs With the Most Insane Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for turkey, stuffing, and family gatherings, but Hollywood stars often put their own unique spin on the holiday. From preparing Mexican cuisine to wearing ballgowns in the kitchen, celebrities have developed some truly bizarre and extravagant rituals. These famous figures spare no expense or effort to ensure their festivities stand out from the average American dinner. The following list explores how twenty different stars celebrate gratitude in ways that range from the eccentric to the downright exhausting.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston serves homemade enchiladas instead of the traditional turkey dinner during her annual Friendsgiving celebration. She started this tradition after Jimmy Kimmel jokingly complained about having to eat turkey multiple times in November. The actress now prepares a massive Mexican feast to satisfy her guests who crave something different before the main holiday. Her spicy enchiladas have become the most anticipated dish among her close circle of famous friends.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart bakes an astonishing thirty pies every single year to distribute among her staff and holiday guests. The lifestyle mogul spends days preparing the scratch-made crusts and various fillings to ensure perfection for each recipient. She believes that providing a wide variety of flavors including lemon meringue and chocolate pecan is essential for the holiday spirit. Her intense dedication to this massive baking marathon highlights her unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey prepares her holiday feast while wearing elaborate evening gowns and expensive diamond jewelry. The singer refuses to dress down for the occasion and maintains her glamorous image even while basting the turkey or mashing potatoes. Her family joins in the festivities which often span several days of cooking and eating in high fashion. She frequently documents these high-fashion culinary moments to share her diva status with her fans.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey enforces a strict ritual where every person at the table must share what they are thankful for before eating. This gratitude circle can last for a significant amount of time as the actor encourages long and thoughtful speeches from his guests. He believes that truly articulating appreciation is more important than the temperature of the food on the table. The family does not take a single bite of the meal until every guest has finished their turn.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt prefers to hunt and harvest the turkey himself rather than buying one from a grocery store. The actor takes pride in the field-to-table approach and involves his family in the process of preparing the wild game. He views this tradition as a way to stay connected to nature and understand where his food comes from. This rugged approach results in a meal that is distinctly different from the standard butterball turkey experience.

Ina Garten

Ina Garten starts her holiday cooking marathon by preparing a large batch of whiskey sours for herself and her husband. The celebrity chef believes that the tangy cocktail is the perfect way to manage the stress of preparing a large feast. She pairs the drinks with simple appetizers to keep everyone satisfied while the main courses finish roasting. This relaxed boozy beginning sets a cheerful tone for the rest of the evening in the Hamptons.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg often skips the traditional turkey completely in favor of serving roasted chicken or other comfort foods. He collaborates with his family to create a menu that reflects his unique personal tastes and soulful preferences. The rapper ensures that his table is filled with seasoned greens and his specific recipe for macaroni and cheese. His approach focuses on maximum flavor and family enjoyment rather than sticking to strict historical customs.

Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough and her siblings engage in an intense dance battle immediately following their large family meal. The professional dancers turn their living room into a stage where they perform choreographed routines to burn off the holiday calories. This high-energy tradition involves costumes and sometimes even judges to determine the winner of the night. It transforms the post-dinner slump into a competitive and athletic event.

John Legend

John Legend takes full responsibility for the macaroni and cheese and refuses to let anyone else handle this crucial side dish. The singer spends hours perfecting his specific recipe which involves layers of cheese and a perfectly baked crust. His wife Chrissy Teigen manages the rest of the meal but knows that the pasta is strictly his domain. He takes great pride in the title of Mac and Cheese King within his household.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar uses the holiday as the official launch date for her elaborate Elf on the Shelf setup. The actress creates complex scenes and scenarios for the elves that debut while the family enjoys their Thanksgiving dinner. This tradition bridges the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas and delights her children immediately. She puts as much effort into the toy display as she does into the actual food preparation.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg maintains his rigorous fitness schedule by waking up at the crack of dawn to workout before the festivities begin. The actor hits his home gym around four in the morning to ensure he burns enough calories to enjoy the feast later. He often encourages family members to join him for a sweat session before they indulge in pie and stuffing. This discipline allows him to eat whatever he wants without breaking his physical regimen.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus hosts a completely vegan Thanksgiving that excludes all animal products from the table. The singer serves a meat-free roast made from maitake mushrooms or seitan as the centerpiece of the meal. She ensures that all side dishes use plant-based substitutes for butter and cream to align with her ethical values. Her goal is to prove that a cruelty-free banquet can be just as delicious as the traditional version.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow often focuses on a health-conscious menu that avoids heavy carbohydrates or processed ingredients. The wellness guru has been known to serve carbon-neutral meals or lighter alternatives to the heavy starchy sides usually found on the table. She prioritizes locally sourced vegetables and organic poultry to maintain her clean-living standards. Her guests can expect a dinner that leaves them feeling energized rather than lethargic.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Jesse Tyler Ferguson enjoys eating pie for breakfast as a way to kickstart his holiday appetite. The actor believes that waiting until after dinner to enjoy the desserts is a waste of delicious pastries. He often samples different slices with his coffee while watching the morning parades on television. This sweet start to the day has become a non-negotiable ritual for his household.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is known for hosting massive gatherings that include not just family but also students and close friends. She has previously hosted dinners for twenty or more graduates from her leadership academy at her expansive estate. The media mogul oversees a gigantic menu that features multiple turkeys and endless side dishes to feed the crowd. Her tradition centers on generosity and creating a sense of home for those who might be far from their own families.

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell creates elaborate vegetarian centerpieces that mimic the look of a turkey to amuse her family. She has previously constructed a turkey shape out of distinct vegetarian ingredients to provide a festive visual without the meat. The actress focuses heavily on fall vegetables and savory gratins to ensure the meal feels hearty. Her creativity in the kitchen ensures that the vegetarian options are never boring or plain.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon relies on a deep-fried turkey recipe to feed her guests in true Southern style. The actress sets up a fryer outside to cook the bird quickly and lock in the juices and flavor. She pairs this crispy main course with classic casseroles and plenty of biscuits for a comforting meal. Her tradition emphasizes rich flavors and the hospitality culture she grew up with in Tennessee.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts insists on cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal completely by herself without any help from staff or family. The actress spends days in the kitchen chopping vegetables and baking pies to ensure everything tastes homemade. She finds the process of cooking therapeutic and enjoys the satisfaction of feeding her loved ones through her own hard work. Her kitchen becomes a solo zone until the food is ready to be served.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson treats the holiday meal as one of his legendary cheat days where he consumes massive amounts of food. The action star loads his plate high with every available side dish and multiple types of dessert. He documents the sheer volume of calories he consumes as a reward for his strict diet during the rest of the year. His tradition is simply to eat as much as physically possible without guilt.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson engages in loud karaoke sessions with her famous family members once the dinner plates are cleared. The actress and her relatives take turns singing classic songs while the rest of the party cheers them on. This musical tradition allows the artistic family to showcase their talents in a relaxed and fun environment. It turns the evening into a private concert that lasts well into the night.

Tell us which celebrity tradition you would most like to try at your own holiday table in the comments.