I'm going to be totally honest and say that I am throwing my vegan diet out the window and scarfing on some turkey. It's one day. That being said, I remember many years back when half my family were vegetarians and the other half carnivores. Since my aunt was hosting Thanksgiving dinner and she was on the veg side, we had tofurkey... in the shape of a turkey. The meat eaters were FURIOUS and ended up eating Chinese food. But you know what? It's a family joke now and we all look back and laugh. So don't let it get to you too much. Tell them not to make a fuss, make whatever they want, and if you really want something specific you can make it yourself and bring it to share. My cousin (a veg) started making a wonderful stuffing for herself that is now an entire family favorite.

I'm in the UK & have this problem at Christmas. We alway go to the in-laws for the holidays & bless them but they just don't get veggies never mind vegans.
I started making my own Xmas dinner & taking it along & after a couple of 'teathing' problems it works out very well now. To the point that my sister-in-law asked for the recipe for the bake I had last year.

And I had NEVER been tempted to have the meat in 19 years. But each to their own I suppose.

Im am taking pause on Thanksgiving and Im gonna eat what I wanna eat. That said I usually focus on the potatos, green beans, etc and will be bringing some Veganchoices too get those carnivores to eat some veggies too. Its a chance for all of us (at our place) to appreciate each other more and watch some lousy football gams on TV.)

I am always suprised that people hear you're vegetarian or Vegan and the attitude is you need to bring that kind of food yourself, but if you dont provide Meat, well then its pitchforks and torches as everyone storms the castle to hang the offending Vegan. But I also feel like just because I choose to eat Vegan doesnt mean the other fols should have to if they really dont want too. I still cook meat in my house for the carnivores to eat, and it really doesnt bother me. Some of it smells good and some I used to love smells gross. (Bacon STILL smells good too me. But chops of anykind make me sick to my stomach. Same with Sausages, I used to love them but something changed in the last six months.)

Years ago I remember my friend Dennis going to his sister's Thanksgiving and he was outraged that she only served Vegan foods. He was Ok with that but she told him he couldn't even bring his own casserole dish in which he made Turkey for himself and his kids to eat. She objected to it being in the house or even in proximity to her.

I have to say I'm on his side for this argument. I understand its an objection she has to the treatment of farmed animals, Im with you there, but at the same time shed be pissed or at least hurt if she was told she could not bring Vegan food to a carnivore meal. Everyone needs to think about tolerance of each others beliefs and practices. Just my opinion.

And if you are completely on his sisters side, Im ok with that too.

Vegan at Thanksgiving hasn't been hard for me. A few years ago, I took over hosting Thanksgiving, so I'm in charge! Last year, I DID do a turkey (purchased by dear old MIL) because I'm the only veggie person in the whole family. My MIL made her typical cornbread dressing and I made a vegan dressing with Field Roast Italian sausage. I made a ton of vegan sides, made a turkey gravy and a vegan mushroom gravy. Most of the vegan stuff was gobbled up and no one had any idea it was vegan until they saw me eating it. Everyone commented on how delicious everything was.

This year I am dropping the turkey gravy and will just do the mushroom because that was the most popular gravy last year. Again, tons of vegan sides. The apple/sage/Field Roast sausage dressing. Only vegan sweet potatoes (again, that was the more popular one last year). I will probably make some desserts vegan, but some non-vegan so I'm not tempted to eat them.

My wife and I both work in retail and our schedules on Thanksgiving negated us visiting family, so my first year as a vegan was fairly easy. I made us both fried eggplant/tomato sauce casserole, baked potatoes and my classic sauteed mushroom/onion/celery/peppers/scallion mix. I made her a couple of freshly breaded chicken strips as she loves veggies, but hasn't made the leap.