Restaurants offer Thanksgiving dinner in many forms. But it is also a day for giving.

There are meals associated with holidays – Christmas dinner and the Passover seder come to mind. But for Thanksgiving, gathering around the table is the holiday. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie are the reasons for the season.

Or at least that’s how a day dedicated to giving thanks has turned out. Many area restaurants and hotels are serving Thanksgiving meals. There are three or four course prix fixe menus, buffets, with options too numerous to list here. A few places offer full or partial takeaway dinners, so families can have a restaurant meal at home.

There are benefits and drawbacks to either approach, of course. Dining out means no preparation or cleanup, but it deprives you of leftovers. The take and heat option comes with the possibility of a turkey: sandwich for lunch on Friday, but you still have to do some work for it.

Buffets at least allow you to return for seconds, but in the original spirit of the holiday, one might consider giving back.

Food Banks for Monterey County helps with the distribution of meal kits from Dennis The Menace playground’s parking lot. The nonprofit is always in need of volunteers and donations. Volunteers prepare food for the community Thanksgiving dinner distributed at Monterey County Fair & Event Center, as well.

Those are just two of the free meals available for families in need. American Legion Post 31 in Salinas hosts dinner on Thanksgiving day from 11:30am until they run out of food. Salvation Army Salinas Corps serves from noon-2pm. Dorothy’s Place – another nonprofit looking for volunteers for its programs – also offers dinner from noon-2pm. Victory Mission will begin distributing take home meals at 6pm.

Both Dorothy’s Place and Victory Mission are in Salinas. Other nonprofits and service organizations are hosting similar events around the county.

But one can help out and get some exercise in, as well. The Carmel Valley Athletic Club’s Turkey Trot is a 5K benefitting Food Banks for Monterey County. Registration is $10-$40. The run, which follows the South Bank Trail, starts at 9am.

There is no need to register for the Turkey Trot at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Just show up with $10 (cash or check) or nonperishable food items for Food Banks for Monterey County and take the iconic track at your own pace. In both events, all proceeds go to the food bank.

• Buffets •

Carmel Valley Ranch

1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel | (855) 687-7262, carmelvalleyranch.com| 11:30am-2:30pm

Stuffing: Sage-apple sourdough

Don’t want turkey?: Maple-glazed ham

Good gourd: Pumpkin pie

Hell yeah: No host bar

Setback: $155+

Lucia Restaurant & Bar, Bernardus Lodge

415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley | (831) 298-5389, bernarduslodge.com | 11am-3pm

Stuffing: Brioche

Don’t want turkey?: They have it all covered

Breaking the mold: Sushi, poke

Something unexpected: A gelato station

Setback: $165; $45/children 12-under

Monterey Marriott

Ferrante’s Bay View Room | 350 Calle Principal, Monterey | (831) 647-4018 | 11am-5pm

Stuffing: Cornbread with dried cranberries

Don’t want turkey?: Salmon, spinach ravioli, pan-seared chicken

Brunch it up: Omelet and eggs Benedict station

A must: Crabcake station

Setback: $95; $80/seniors; $40/children 5-12

Monterey Plaza Hotel

400 Cannery Row, Monterey | (877) 862-7552, montereyplazahotel.com | Noon-7pm

Stuffing: Italian sausage

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, miso-glazed salmon, pasta alfredo

A nod to tradition: Green bean casserole with crispy onions

Something unexpected: Truffled popcorn

Setback: $145; $49/children 6-13; free/5-under

Pacific’s Edge

Hyatt Carmel Highlands | 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel | (831) 622-5429, hyatt.com | 11am-8pm

Stuffing: Herbed brioche

Don’t want turkey?: No problem. A number of options.

Good gourd: Pumpkin pie

Something better: Pecan pie

Setback: $105; $50/children 3-11; free/children 3-under

Portola Hotel & Spa

2 Portola Plaza, Monterey | 1-8pm | (831) 649-7870, portolahotel.com

Stuffing: Traditional

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, catch of the day

Nod to tradition: Candied yams

Go back for: Pecan and pumpkin pie

Setback: $90; $80/seniors; $40/children 6-12; Free/5 and under

Sea Root

Hyatt Regency | 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey | 1-7pm | (831) 657-6588, hyatt.com

Stuffing: Traditional

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, honey-baked ham, roasted salmon

A little atmosphere: Live music 2-6pm

Good gourd: Butternut squash soup

Setback: $90; $40/children 6-12; free/5-under

Stillwater

1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach | (800) 761-5952, pebblebeach.com | Noon-6pm

Stuffing: Traditional

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, fried chicken, roasted salmon. They have you covered.

Good gourd: Pumpkin empanada

Bonus: A lot of seafood

Setback: $165; $77/children 6-12; free/children 5-under

• Take Home •

Covey Grill, The Quail

8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel | (831) 624-2888, quaillodge.com | Order by: Call

Pick up: 11am-5pm Nov. 27 (at the clubhouse, 8000 Valley Greens Drive)

Stuffing: Sourdough and bacon

Good gourd: Butternut squash pave

Bonus: You can add on to the order

Setback: $60+ serves one; $286+ serves six to eight

Elroy’s Fine Food

15 Soledad Drive, Monterey | (831) 373-3737, elroysfinefoods.com | Order by: Thursday, Nov. 20

Pick up: Business hours Tuesday-Wednesday, Nov. 25-26

Stuffing: Apple-sage

Good gourd: Sorghum-pumpkin butter

Double fun: Two casseroles, string bean and gingered sweet potato

Setback: $150, serves two

Monterey Plaza Hotel

400 Cannery Row, Monterey | (877) 862-7552, montereyplazahotel.com | Order by: 10am Tuesday, Nov. 25

Pick up: 10am-noon Thanksgiving day

Stuffing: Cornbread and sausage

Don’t want turkey?: Clam chowder, pasta alfredo

Good gourd: Pumpkin pie is an option

Nod to tradition: Green bean casserole

Setback: $365, serves six

Oystertown

281 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey | (831) 312-8150, oystertownusa.com | Order by: 3pm Saturday, Nov. 21

Pick up: 3-6pm Wednesday, Nov. 26

No turkey?: appetizers, sides and stuffing only

Stuffing: Oyster

Good gourd: None

What’s different: Oyster kits, shrimp cocktail

Setback: Prices vary

• Prix Fixe •

Covey Grill

8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel | (831) 624-2888, quaillodge.com | Noon-7pm | Three courses

Stuffing: Sourdough-bacon

Don’t want turkey?: Steak, scallops, wild mushroom ravioli

Good gourd: Roasted acorn squash soup

Cleanse the palate: Sorbet

Setback: $84+

Esteban Restaurant

700 Munras Ave., Monterey | (831) 375-2411, hotelcasamunras.com | 2-8pm | Three courses

Stuffing: Chestnut

Don’t want turkey?: Salmon, Wagyu bavette, confit portobello mushrooms

Option: A la carte menu, children’s menu

Tough choice: Pumpkin or pecan pie

Setback: $79-$84

Fin + Field

350 Calle Principal, Monterey | (831) 647-4018, marriott.com | 5-8pm | Three courses

Stuffing: Cornbread

Don’t want turkey?: Ask

Something different: Roasted poblano and corn soup

Bonus: Dessert bar

Setback: $59; $49/seniors; $29/children 5-12

Lalla Oceanside Grill

654 Cannery Row, Monterey | (831) 324-0891, lallagrill.com | Regular hours | Three courses

Stuffing: Traditional

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, chicken, halibut and more

A little extra: A view of the bay

Bonus: Children’s menu

Setback: $80

Sardine Factory

701 Wave St., Monterey | (831) 373-3775, sardinefactory.com | Noon-8pm | Four courses

Stuffing: Sausage

Don’t want turkey?: Limited regular menu available

Good gourd: Butternut squash bisque

Bonus: Children’s menu

Setback: $69; $66/seniors; $39/children 5-12; free/children 5-under

Solstice

46840 Highway 1, Big Sur | (831) 667-1700, thevillagebigsur.com | 4-9pm | Three courses, family style

Stuffing: Levain

Don’t want turkey?: Ask

Two potato: Pommes puree and twice-baked sweet potato

Finish: Seasonal pies

Setback: $120; $60/children; free/children 3-under

Terry’s Restaurant + Lounge

Lincoln and 7th, Carmel | (831) 620-7454, cypress-inn.com | 1-8pm | Three courses

Stuffing: Sourdough apple-sausage

Don’t want turkey?: Prime rib, pan-seared halibut, wild mushroom pappardelle

Good gourd: Butternut squash bisque

Setting the mood: Live music 6-9pm

Setback: $85; $45 children 12-under

The C Restaurant + Bar

750 Cannery Row, Monterey | (831) 375-4500, thecrestaurant-monterey.com | 2-8pm | Three courses

Stuffing: Sage brioche

Don’t want turkey?: Black bass

Good gourd: Pumpkin cheesecake

A little extra: Great bay view

Setback: Ask

Wild Fish

545 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove | (831) 373-8523, wild-fish.com | 5-8pm | Two or three courses

Stuffing: None. This is a seafood Thanksgiving

Don’t want turkey?: You're in luck. No turkey. Choice of halibut or vermillion.

A bit different: Persimmon, whichever menu you choose.

Nice if: You love seafood

Setback: $65/three course; $52/two course

Note: Other restaurants, such as Shearwater Tavern in Carmel, will offer traditional Thanksgiving dishes a la carte in addition to the regular menu.