NWR: Hosting Thanksgiving

kidlets2

Just found out that FI and I are hosting a small Thanksgiving! Only 10 people total but still...one of them (FI's mom) is gluten free. I've only done a "big" holiday dinner once before and it was only my XH, 2 small kids and my parents. AHHH!!!!

I'm not going to freak out, I'm not going to freak out, I'm not going to freak out!!!

KateJ10

Nerve-wracking!! If I were you I would prep everything possible ahead ahead of time, and ask for people to bring one dish or dessert to help out a bit.

Good luck!

colstj1

I agree with what KateJ said, see if you get get everyone to bring a small side dish to share so that you are don't have SO much to do. That is what my family always does. Good luck and have fun!

khornbach

To make the whole experience not seem so bad, watch the Mad About You Thanksgiving episode. Its two newlyweds hosting their first Thanksgiving. And trust me, your Thanksgiving will seem like a piece of cake in comparison. You'll do great!

MrsBassPlaya

I'm right there with you on the freaking out!  FI and I just volunteered to host Thanksgiving so my parents would be able to spend it with family also.  As soon as we confirmed that it would be at our place, we hung up the phone and freaked out!  We're having probably 20 people, and I have an exam and have to work the day before.  At least my mom is gonna help me cook everything. 

It sounds like the ladies have some great ideas about people bringing other stuff to help out.  Good luck with the gluten free!  Make sure there are a few key dishes that she can have, and make some favorites of other people, even if they contain gluten.  Just let her know which dishes she's able to eat.

elisaandjeremy

there's lots of folks these days with GF diets, so just search the blog world and have a hay day with it.  make it fun, keep it simple and like KateJ10 said - prep prep prep. one of my favorite dessert tricks is to scoop the ice cream before hand and place it on a cooking sheet w/ parchment paper and then when it's time for pie you just slide it right off.

{side note, but I just went to Mill Valley Kitchen in St. Louis Park and their menu lists which dishes are GF.  Next time you go out to dinner with the Future MIL, suggest there and she'll just love ya for it}

Best wishes!

graysquirrel

My MIL is also gluten free. There are a lot of items that they can have if you do some homework, and since Thanksgiving is big on meat and veg, it shouldn't be too bad. I'd hit up a health food or natural foods store. My in-laws get all kinds of gluten-free foods from them-- even cookies.