I'll alter my previous comment a bit. Cooking a full turkey dinner from scratch is a big deal. Those days maybe over. Why prepare mashed potatoes from scratch when you can buy them premade from Costco, etc..
Ok, I’m just an odd person. I cook from scratch every day. So it’s second nature to me. Doing the whole Thanksgiving meal is a real chore, but can be broken up into pieces. If people want to help by making a side, that’s good.
I like cooking from scratch because 1.) it tastes better and 2.) I know what goes into it. There aren’t any preservatives or ingredients to round it out or whatever. Homemade mashed potatoes and gravy are one of my specialties. I enjoy hearing my family compliment me on my work, too. Very often, there’s a third benefit. It usually costs less than the premade stuff.
I do understand why people want to go the route of pre-made dishes, but I can pre-make them just as easily.
People who are tired of cooking after 50+ years of doing it deserve our love, honor, and respect. There comes a point where a younger generation needs to take over.