Thanksgiving Tips
First, figure out whom you're hosting. How many people will you have? Make sure you have enough chairs, tables, dishes, glasses, and silverware. (If not, you can always borrow or pick up fancy disposable dishes and silverware... which will only help when it comes time to clean up.)
Think about the menu -- will you try something new, will you stick with standbys, are you making sure that not all of your dishes will have to go in the oven at once? (It's always suggested not to try anything new when you're hosting a dinner, but I can't give you that advice as I never follow it. I find that I really want to try new recipes at dinners like this. All I'll say is make sure you read and reread a new recipe so you know everything it entails before getting started.)
Read through all of the recipes you plan to make, and schedule your time. Figure out what things you can make ahead of time and reheat and what things absolutely have to be made on Turkey Day.
Plan to get your turkey in the oven as early as possible so you can get it out of the oven and have the oven available for everything else you need to make. (And if you get a frozen turkey, remember that it can take days for it thaw. I've heard you should allow 1 day for every 4 pounds.)
Don't overdo it. Sometimes I think I'm superwoman and can do it all, but then I have to remind myself to think logically. There's only so much time, oven space, and fridge space, so take some time to think about how much you're taking on and whether it's feasible.
Don't do everything yourself. If people offer to bring things or offer to help, let them. Thanksgiving at my parents' house is a lot of fun because everyone will bring dishes they're known for. My grandma usually brings turnip, my aunt brings her carrot-cheddar casserole, my dad's cousin brings fruit salad, and my parents take care of the big-ticket items like the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and soup. When I'm able to head home for the holiday, I bring dessert. (And when we go to Jeff's parents' house, I bring dessert.)
Once you have all of the above figured out, make yourself a to-do list. Not only will it keep you organized but it will also help you feel accomplished and relieve any stress you might be feeling as you cross things off the list.
One last trick... make sure to set out drinks and some cheese and crackers (or other easy appetizer, emphasis on easy) just before guest are supposed to arrive. That way, if you're still busy in the kitchen, they can help themselves and you won't feel like you have to stop what you're doing.
 |
| Courtesy of Butterball |
In addition to asking me to share some tips with you to make your Thanksgiving a little easier, Butterball would like to make Thanksgiving a little easier for two of my readers by offering you a coupon for a free turkey ($15 value)!
To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment with any Thanksgiving tips you have.
Please comment by November 15, 2011, at 11:59 pm EST.
Full disclosure: Butterball also sent me a free turkey coupon.
33 comments:
i try to do as much advance work as possible.
Don't be prideful and think you need to do it all. If people ask to bring something then let them. If you know their cooking is crap then tell them to bring extra booze.
Having just hosted 18 people for a "friends Thanksgiving" I'd say only try 1 new recipe at a time and continuously clean as you go. And, don't carve the turkey right away - let it rest for 30 minutes - makes a huge difference!
I'll be making my second entire Thanksgiving meal this year, again in Ireland. My tip? Everyone else stay out of the kitchen! :) Unless you are bringing me wine. I like to plan everything out, and it just flows better if I can work according to my plan.
When cooking the full meal, I keep a time schedule so nothing is forgotten or delayed, it really helps my day run smoothly!
I recently started brining turkeys in the past few years. It helps to seal in flavor and moisture and is SUPER simple to do!
My all time fave thanksgiving tip is to enjoy some wine and go with the flow. It's a day to be with friends and family, not for stress!
I've never hosted Thanksgiving before but as a guest, I always ask ahead about a dish I can make. So, I think my tip for those who are hosting is to ask people to participate by bringing a dish or a bottle of wine. It helps cut down the prep and introduce new dishes!
Oooh I like this blog post! We're hosting a friends thanksgiving soon and the tip I can offer is stick with what you know! I am choosing all recipes that I have made before and am confident taste good. If you really want to try somethign new, I've learned the hard way that you should test it out before you feed it to your friends :)
I like to add a twist to an old favorite. For instance, instead of plain old cauliflower, roast it with mustard seed and other spices. My family loved it!
I think letting people bring stuff is such a great tip! So many times you want to do it all on your own, but really enjoy the help! I have such a small space I am working on my dinner parties - I go more cocktails and apps when I entertain!
Nice! Butterballs are a staple at our thanksgivings. Anytime I host I like to plan out cooking, cooling, times. I also plan out all the chopping, washing, and prepping ahead of time. I even figure out which will be in which serving dishes. I try to get all the non-food items out and in place before anything else since plates, serving utensils, hot pads, etc don't need to come out when guests are there.
Love it! I say to always make sure that you make allowences for anyone with dietary restrictions. For instance, leave the stuffing meat-free in case you have vegetarians. Make sure you have at least 3 options for anyone who may not be able to eat everything.
My tip is to make those who didn't cook do the dishes. That way everyone helps.
I love your tips, so helpful! You are always such a great hostess!
These tips are awesome! I like to make a physical list of all of the items I want to serve and post it in the kitchen. I learned this the hard way when Jon and I hosted our first Christmas last year and I totally forgot about the bread.
I've been doing full T-Day dinners since I was 22 and decided I could handle it ..Ha! Although I do most of it, I happily assign Turkey duty to someone else now. Appetizers, sides and desserts are mostly mine. Love the tips you gave! Here's one of mine..
Make all sides the night before (except mashed potatoes, unless you add stuff to them and bake them - I do mine traditional on the stove top)..put each into cheap foil pans, cover with foil and stack them in the fridge. Next day, place side dishes in intended baking dishes and put them the oven when the turkey is done and resting. Most of my sides are mostly prep, with a cooking or heating time of no longer than 1 hour :)
It's all about timing! plan out everything on paper.
ha, I never follow the don't try new things rule, either :) and my tip is don't be shy about asking people for help! if you want to do the cooking, as someone else to bring the wine, dessert, or perhaps some appetizers
These are words to live by! I often bite of more than I can chew but do try to do as much the days leading up the party as possible.
Prep the night before, cut up everything, wash, peel, and measure everything a ahead just in case something is a miss. Be prepare for mishaps, stay calm. Space out the day by hours keep a watch on timing and some time after. Thanksgiving is a day of happiness which we share with love ones, go ahead and share the tasks.
My tip is to relax and definitely do a small scale "practice run" with friends
Since we serve a large group requiring two full tables and we always do a sit down dinner, I make sure to split each dish into two serving bowls/dishes/trays as I am preparing it. This way each table has the same meal at the same time. I ask guests who offer to bring a dish to do the same. (The best tip is lots of butter and a dollop of cream cheese in the mashed potatoes!)
Whenever we celebrate Thanksgiving at our house, our company always likes to take home some leftovers so we make sure that we have ziplock bags available. Quart and gallon size are the handiest. You can even get a permanent marker to put names on the bags and then leave them in the fridge till company leaves.
My tip is to make a list before you go to the store, use coupons when you can, and share the load, ask for HELP.
Plan early and if you can make things in advance, do it.
I have yet to host my first Thanksgiving but I love helping my mom with it every year...and I sure wouldn't mind a free turkey :)
My tip would be to make as much as you can the night before. Also buying premade sides helps!
Ramblesahm at yahoo dot com
We all work together and share the cost. We also make a veggie tray that requires little work.
samwhit28 at yahoo dot com
Haha is it bad that sometimes I wish people would just donate groceries and I'd just make everything?? ;) I kid I kid, sort of. But yeah, I'm not the best delegater at Thanksgiving time, but I always have people bring appetizers, drinks, and a couple desserts (even though I like to make a few myself too). Oh and I too always try out new recipes for parties!
Really just need to plan ahead, even chopping ingredients a day ahead. Luckily this is my 10th year making this dinner (wow! just realized that myself), and I think I have the timing down now :)
Hi Nicole! You're one of my giveaway winners! Congratulations! Please send me your mailing address, and I'll get your coupon out to you.
Hi Emily! Congratulations! You're one of my giveaway winners. Please send me your mailing address, and I'll send you your turkey coupon!
Thanks for all the comments, everyone! The winners are Nicole and Emily (#2 and #20 from the bottom up). Congratulations! Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Post a Comment