Am I crazy?

laurenclaire1386 · November 2009

I decided a month ago that I was Martha Friggin Stewart and offered to host Thanksgiving at my house. Just got the final headcount and it's 12 people. I've got the main dish covered. I'm buying a honey baked ham. So really all I have to do is make a bunch of sides and I'm armed with my list of food I have to make and the grocery list for that. I feel pretty good about it right now. Anybody got any tips for hosting your first Thanksgiving? I've never done it and I'm terrified I'll screw it up somehow.

NicoleSahara · November 2009

You're not doing a turkey??

danieliza1127 · November 2009

Just planning ahead is key. It's important to make sure all the food is hot when it's served, so you have to make sure you have enough staging area to be making things all at the same time and/or keeping things warm in the oven.Do you have places for everyone to sit and eat?

LesPaul · November 2009

Timing everything to be done at the same time is always where I get hung up. But, I like to use hosting TGiving or Christmas as an excuse to get a new set of placemats, or wine glasses, or something like that. As long as everyone has plenty to eat and lots of tasty beverages they'll be fine. Maybe some mulled wine or cider in the crockpot?

laurenclaire1386 · November 2009

Nope, no turkey. And yes, I can seat everyone comfortably, although people will be split between three tables. I have two tables in my dining room, the we're also using the breakfast table in my sunroom that's connected to the dining room, so everyone will be in the same room, more or less.

julezlee · November 2009

I did this last year for the first time. The key is planning out where exactly everything needs to cook and the timing of when it'll all be ready.

kikibaby · November 2009

Have some apps and stuff for people to snack on before dinner so they won't be grumpy if things take longer than you anticipated.

e_jakiela · November 2009

First of all: relax!!! Looks like you have everything prepared and you thought this through. Do not stress about anything at all. Make sure to start any cooking early - a day before if you have to. I hosted a party for 8 and I hate cooking, but wanted to do it anyways and started cooking at 6am that day... we ended up inhaling all the food in 20 minutes and my whole day of cooking was nothing but a full belly and a smile on everyone'e faces. Good advice I got from FIs mom - when you cook for many people, make sure you plan out the oven time for each meal before you start them. It is easy to start with the easiest or your favorite meal to prepare, but then, you may be stuck with something in the oven that should have been done first. Plan out your oven time. Did you think about desserts? I love baking but for that one day I asked the guests to bring a dessert with them. Make sure to take a 30 minute break and watch a show or something - just to take your thoughts away from cooking the whole day - one can go crazy doing that! Good luck!

aMrsin09 · November 2009

Another key is to check the cooking temps of each dish. Cook the low temp stuff first and as the cooking temp increases, up the temp and just keep rotating dishes out.

andyandhillary · November 2009

I would advise preparing as many dishes as possible the night before and refrigerating them (if you have the space). I know the night before we prepare everything besides the mashed potatoes and turkey the night before. All we have to do day of is throw it into the oven.Use a thermometer. It is a fast and safe way to check that everything is ready to go!

mocha beans · November 2009

Agree with the planning out cooking times and temps. Prep ahead as much as you can so you're not in the kitchen all day long. Simple dishes can be the most impressive. Prep all the ingredients before starting any dish, that way you're not scrambling to finish cutting something before it needs to be added to the pot.

laurenclaire1386 · November 2009

Thanks for the tips ladies. I'm about to go through my list and write down cooking temps and times and figuring all that out, as I only have one oven. Dessert is the one thing I'm not worried about. I'm making a sweet potato pie and a pecan pie and a mandarin orange cake. All of which are ridiculously easy to make and can be served room temperature. So I'm definitely doing those the day before.

britne28 · November 2009

Sounds yummy! You'll be fine. Sounds like you have a good plan. Good luck!

jamm2019 · November 2009

You can always make some stuff a day or 2 before and reheat. Or with desserts put them in the fridge or freezer.

vicmo5 · November 2009

Hehe! I'm sure it will turn out great despite your reservations. I would do as much as possible in advance. Honey baked ham will certainly simplify things and be delicious.Have you decided on sides yet?

SarahPLiz · November 2009

Last night, FI bought FFIL a plane ticket to come spend Thanksgiving with us. There will be only 3 people, but I am allergic to turkey and pork, and on a no red meat diet, so I think I'll have ot make cornish hens, which I have never done before. Also, FFIL and FI are Romanian and the only Romanian dish i know how to make is mamaliga, which is their version of a soft polenta... I can feel you on the nervousness. You;ll be fine, I promise. You are way ahead of me in planning!

HilaryH1231 · November 2009

Completely off-topic, but SaraPLiz, I've never heard of anyone else that knows what mamaliga is! FI is Moldovan (right next to Romania) and he looooves mamaliga--he eats in dipped in butter and then rolled in cheese. Mmmmm heart attack on a fork.

SarahPLiz · November 2009

Hilary- FI likes his almost like a substitute for rice or mashed potatoes. I cook it with butter, milk, and some crushed garlic cloves and he loves it. His mom makes it in the microwave, which he is not a fan of. Ill have to try making it thicker and rolling it in butter and cheese for him.. Im sure he wouldn't complain.

airidh80 · November 2009

Cooking the night before is definitely key. Get as much done as possible before the actual day. Errrr... do people know you're not providing a turkey? I'm not a big ham eater, and if I showed up to a Thanksgiving dinner and found that 1)there was no turkey; and 2)ham was the only option, I'd be a little put out. But if everyone knows and is cool with that, well then, rock on! Less work for you.

HilaryH1231 · November 2009

Sarah-is it difficult to make? He only gets to eat it when his dad makes it, because I've heard that polenta is difficult; is this not the case? And I'll have to mention the addition of garlic cloves to him, I bet that tastes delish.

SarahPLiz · November 2009

Hilary- I posted the recipe in a separate thread as to not threadjack Laurenclaire any further.

[Deleted User] · November 2009

i'd be bummed if i showed up to t-day and there was no turkey. that doesn't mean your guests will necessarily feel the same, but it's something to consider.

sarabellam · November 2009

I can't believe nobody mentioned copious amounts of wine!I'll add to the, "what, no turkey" voices. When I was growing up, my BSC entitled aunt's birthday was always around Thanksgiving. She whined to my grandmother every year that she "always" had to have turkey for her birthday dinner, so we had to have something other than turkey for Thanksgiving, since it was so close to her birthday. And my spineless (in this instance) grandmother would give in every. single. time. Biitch, please. You are 30-something years old, and the world doesn't revolve around you.

laurenclaire1386 · November 2009

Yes! Booze! I knew I was forgetting something. On the ham thing, it's really common in my family to do just a ham. And when we do have turkey, it's fried and certainly not stuffed. We have dressing, not stuffing. Anyway, I have decided on sides:corn puddingchicken and dressinghomemade cranberry saucegreen bean casserolesliced carrots sauteed with brown sugar and dillsaladrolls

sarabellam · November 2009

If your familly is cool with the ham, then skip the turkey. I'm THRILLED that we get to cook the turkey this year. My step-MIL cooked it last year, and it was sofuucking dry it was nasty.

englishgrams · November 2009

I have nothing to add, but somehow whenever anyone asks me "Am I crazy" I immediately want to say yes... does that make me crazy?

michelle_renae · November 2009

Ask everyone or every family at least to bring something. At the veey least you'll cover a few sides and maybe dessert. Hosting is quite a bit of work so take all the help you can get. Also do as much ahead of time that you can that way you can relax and enjoy the day as well!

phoeny_moonstar · November 2009

Bottles of wine to keep you sane?

Am I crazy?

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