I have always cut S’s hair. (And the rest of the family.) Part of why he grew it was because he refused to spend $20 for a haircut. The other was curiosity. Just how long would it get? Older S finally let someone else cut his hair when he moved out of state for his job.
Funny, one of S16’s biggest concerns was finding a good barber at school! It took 2 tries, but he found one. He can’t stand going more than 4 weeks without a haircut.
Ha! My kid likes his hair short, too, but was a little worried about picking a barber for himself. We found one & took him when we were there for parents’ weekend. When he called last night, he let us know that he found a new place & got a different haircut from his usual style. He wanted to look sharp for his t-giving visit to his sister in Florida. Can’t wait for her to send a photo on Wednesday!
It’s snowing here
My DS just called and told us that he won’t be coming home for Thanksgiving. He has a 20 page paper due on the 30th and said he just doesn’t have time. My husband told him that we’d be happy to pick him up Wednesday night and take him back on Friday morning, but no go. 
Oh no! That is so disappointing!!! It’s good that he’s being conscientious, but I’m sorry he doesn’t feel like he can take even a small break.
So sorry to hear the news, @rienrah, fingers crossed that maybe he’ll change his mind before Wednesday? It’s kind of you to offer the shorter trip home to him.
DS just asked me if he has khaki pants with him at school (don’t ask why he didn’t pack for himself and still doesn’t know what clothes he has in his tiny dorm room :)). He does have black dress pants with him, but they have mysteriously vanished (probably at the bottom of his closet since his dress shirt and tie are still there). This is a kid who NEVER dresses up…only for interviews and class assignments when he needed to dress up for speeches.
I asked why he needs khakis, and turns out he’s been invited to a sorority formal. I’m not sure if a pair of khakis with a dress shirt and tie are enough for one of those events. Any advice? Searching the web just brings scary stories of sorority parties, so I’m hoping to get tips from other parents instead :).
@lifegarding I think sorority events are not as formal as fraternity. My DD attended fraternity semi formal yesterday and by looking at the photo I can see all guys in suits and ties and all girls including mine in a little (VERY little) black dresses.
@lifegarding, when is the formal? Maybe you could shop for a suit when he is home for Thanksgiving? There are usually some good sales, and college boys have often stopped growing…
I go home in about 24 hours! <:-P
@EastGrad, yes it would help if he knew the date. He says he’s not sure…before heading off to college he was more the stay at home type, so I think he forgets to figure out details like this. I’m hoping it’s after Thanksgiving at this point since we pick him up tomorrow for the holiday weekend. Oh well, eventually he’ll figure all of this out! But it would be good to get him a suit while he’s home anyway so he has one for future events, and you’re right, it might be a good time to catch some sales.
Everybody will be having a sale this weekend-even the thrift stores. Those can be a great source of dress pants and jackets-that’s how our nephew got through HS band. At the Seattle stores there are a lot of Nordstrom’s brands and designer names.
That’s disappointing @rienrah
Hey everyone, I’ve been off the radar for a bit, learning to live life with DS being 14000kms away, but getting there! With Thanksgiving coming up, he will be going home with a friend for this but not ever having experienced Thanksgiving before (we don’t celebrate this in Zim) what is the standard routine/traditions so I can prep him? Does he need to take gifts or anything like that, do families dress up for the dinner etc etc, how many days are celebrated etc, we’re completely in the dark about this and I’d like to give him a heads up so he doesn’t feel too awkward!
@zimmum that is great that your son has a place to go for Thanksgiving! It’s the closest thing we have to a universal holiday here, I think. The actual day is Thursday, but many families continue other leisure activities through Sunday, such as visiting, shopping, eating, and attending cultural (particularly athletic) events.
Many people celebrate on Thursday with a turkey dinner, or maybe ham if his friend is not Jewish. At any rate, if your son is a vegetarian, he should eat something before going, just in case.
As a single college student, your son would not be expected to bring anything, but flowers or maybe a box of chocolates or if he is old enough, a bottle of wine, would each be perfectly acceptable if he wants to bring something. Likely his best contribution will be interesting conversation and maybe amusing any young kids if they are there.
Yes, he should dress nicely. Something at least as nice as polo shirt and khakis, I think, but he can ask his host to be sure.
I hope others weigh in, because there are lots of regional variations!!
P.s. Your son should also be prepared that there might be a small ceremony before eating, such as saying a blessing over bread, or a Grace, or going around the table to give individual thanks, or maybe none of these.
@fretfulmother thanks so much for your response, I will most definitely give him some of these pointers. I will tell him to check with his friend too but boys can leave out details which actually are quite important!
@zimmum, it is great to hear that he has a home to visit over Thanksgiving, and I’m sure he will enjoy it quite a bit. Another idea for bringing something would be to pick up some dessert/baked goods to contribute? Seems like at most US gatherings that people enjoy a wide selection of desserts! I’m sure the family he is visiting will understand that it is a new situation for him, and will help make him feel ‘at home’ while he’s visiting.
He really needs to ask his friend about how they do Thanksgiving, different families have different traditions. We used to dress up for dinner when my grandparents were with us but don’t anymore. Some families have a very early meal we usually eat later. In our house we say grace before Thanksgiving dinner. A good rule of thumb is not to start eating before the hostess does. Also he should offer to help with clean up. A big meal means many dishes! Again this could vary, some families do a pot lucks buffet with paper plates, we do a sit down meal with good china and crystal.
We have a relatively simple meal, our Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows, cranberry sauce and two pies (usually pumpkin and apple) for dessert.
We usually have the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade on the TV, some families watch football. The day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday” when many people get up ridiculously early to start their Christmas shopping. There are lots of sales and the shopping malls will be very crowded.
Thanksgiving weekend is a popular time to go to the movies and to start decorating for Christmas (though some of my neighbors started putting up Christmas decorations as soon as they put away their halloween decorations!)
A hostess gift is a nice gesture but not required.