Do you host Thanksgiving?

[Ol'FashionHen]

We always have TG at my grandma's home with about 50-60 family members, everybody brings a dish. Most homade, a few will just buy something. Either way it does not matter, everything gets eaten. We go to my DH family too. We always have a good time and enjoy catching up with family we don't get to see that often.

 

[DuckLady]

I asked that this not turn into an in-law bashing thread.

I have cleaned this thread which is meant to be a positive one.

If you can't be positive about hosting dinner, please don't post.

Apologies to the OP for the temporary derailment of the thread.

 

[seismic wonder2]

I cook for the wife, sister in law, neice +1, stepson +1

I'll also be donating several apple pies.

 

[MagsC]

We almost always go out to my parents for a big family Thanksgiving. Mom hosts but just about everyone brings something.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Why don't you and your family go see you family for Thanksgiving. It's only 3 hours.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

We are the hosts for almost all family dinners...except when I had a small fit last year and "suggested" my SIL host a Christmas Eve dinner.
We do everything from scratch, well, except for pie crusts

I'm the main cook, but I have learned to encourage friends and family to bring side dishes. I'm 40, Steve's 47 and our kids are Mia (8) and Zac (3). We usually have 12-20 here for holiday meals

 

[Nyrial]

20-30 range here.. We moved across the country due to my job, and last year was the first holiday season away from home. It was very hard for me, and I think it will be so this year as well. So I cooked for myself, DH, and our little girls (3 and 1 at that point).

I'm hosting this year, people from work, other transplants like myself, who have no family nearby. I'm super excited because I love to feed people, but it's also very overwhelming because Thanksgiving dinner is so symbolic that I don't want to screw it up. Thankfully they're all taking some pressure off of me by bringing some side dishes. Last year I forgot the green bean casserole.

 

[MandyH]

I usually host Thanksgiving at my house for around 70 people. I cook the turkey, dressing, and probably 5 vegetables, and 2 or 3 deserts, and provide the sweet tea. I am 34. The family will bring other vegetable dishes, and deviled eggs, and salads and such. I have a cousin that does the hams every year, and my Mom does the rolls because she doesn't cook and she can open a bag and spread butter LOL!!!!

 

[ducks4you]

Don't know why anyone is posting their age--you can look up my other postings for that. I have hosted lots of Thanksgivings feasts. First time I did it, everything turned out wrong!! Now, my family likes turkey so much I make a "thanksgiving-like" meal 6-8 times/year, so, for me it's a piece of cake. Partly, it's easy because I've taught my 3 DD's how to make every dish, so I get help, BUT, I made turkey, gravy, cranberry-orange relish, corn-on-the-cob, mashed potatoes, beets, and pie without anyone's help in Mid-October. This was for the 5 of us, but numbers don't really matter, the prep-time is about the same for 3x that many guests. You just use bigger serving bowls/dishes for everything.

Here are the tricks:
--Cook the bird covered, lower temperature, longer cooking time than any directions tell you.
--Use a crock pot to cook the potatoes. This will save space on your oven's burners, and you can turn it off and still keep the potatoes hot if you need to.
--If you find that everybody likes a dish that comes in a can (or frozen,) buy that ahead of time. It will REALLY save you prep time. (Not everybody's tastes are the same, you know.)
--They're advertising those teaser deals for turkey--for those who aren't raising their own, of course. Buy and donate the $canned food you have to buy, to Salvation Army or Empty Tomb. It'll make you feel great that somebody else gets food, too.

This year my SIL is doing everything but the pie, and 2 of my DD's are driving over the night before to help with the cooking. Our family prefers Thanksgiving to Christmas because it's just food and no gift-giving is involved.

 

[Sillystunt]

well i will have 15 peeps here...LOL

I am 35 and have hosted for the last 8 years. My turkey is a 23 pounder~ The last 2 years we have taken stations. I do the turkey, sis the side dishes , my neighbor teresa does the desserts and dad the drinks. It totally helps me out cause i am beat after cooking!