Last year, we devoted a lot of blog space to Thanksgiving, by Sam Sifton. And since we’re editors and writers, supposedly on the pulse of what the lastest, greatest, trendiest everything is, we should probably be featuring this year’s of-the-moment holiday cookbook. But here’s the thing: “trendy” and “of-the-moment” are not words that should EVER EVER EVER be in the same sentence as “Thanksgiving,” and we stand by our claim that Sam Sifton’s timeless, authoritative, delicious guide to our country’s greatest holiday is The Only Thanksgiving Recipe Collection You Will Ever Need. (Outside of your grandmother’s recipe box, of course — we don’t want to get anyone in trouble here). As such, we launch our “Countdown to Thanksgiving Series” with a bountiful giveaway: In the next 48 hours, five readers are eligible to win a free copy of Sifton’s Thanksgiving, and five more are eligible to have a free copy sent to whoever is cooking/hosting the feast… as a little pre-holiday pump-up and thank-you-in-advance. That’s TEN COPIES WE ARE GIVING AWAY. All you have to do is leave a comment below (we wouldn’t complain if this comment included a Thanksgiving tip) and tell me which one you are: #Host or #Guest.
Update: All winners have been notified. Congrats Josh, Betsy, Candice, Eva, Molly, Susan, Colleen F, L, Divya, Memegirl and to everyone else thanks for playing!
Related: Sam Sifton’s 1o Laws of Thanksgiving.
Last year I hosted and this year I am going to my brothers – we trade off each year. Last year, I loved the rule from Sam: “Start serving drinks the moment your guests arrive, no matter the hour.” Always a good tip! I will add that The Algonquin might be an ideal cocktail to serve when those guests arrive: 1.5 oz Whisky, .75 oz dry Vermouth, .75 oz unsweetened Pineapple juice, stirred vigorously over ice then strained into an up glass, gotten from Food52. Happy Thanksgiving
#host. Grill your turkey!
I am a guest who will be contributing to the meal. My husband and I alternate between our families each year and this year we will be at my mom’s and dad’s. I will probably be taking the pies–apple, pumpkin, and mincemeat:)
Let others lend a hand in the kitchen. It has the added benefit of having company while you cook. #host
#host
I make everything ahead that I can. Cornbread and stale bread for stuffing can be made and frozen any time now. On the big day, roast the turkey and heat the sides you mixed up the day before. Light the candles and you are ready to go!
#Hosting and my tip is to delegate. There’s no need to be the hero on Thanksgiving. Give your family and friends assignments. This allows you to spend some time on one WOW dish.
a #guest and a #host. i usually throw a pot-luck with friends beforehand, and then let my family cook for me the day of!
Mmm, yum. Thanks for the chance to win! Tip: cornflakes and pecans with brown sugar to top the sweet potato casserole. Yes.
#Guest
I’m a guest, but mom is the host. Seeing as I usually make all three desserts, I think I deserve partial host status.
I usually make two batches of pie crust the week before and freeze ’em, then the day before thanksgiving I’ll make a full pie and two without a top crust!
I’m the guest this year, but will be bringing something. When I’ve hosted in the past, I’ve made whatever can be refrigerated ahead of time to save time andoven space on the day of.
I think this would be fun to help organize my day (although my husband is the one who makes the turkey, thankfully). My tip? Check out the thanksgiving smoothie on the Hillbilly Housewife blog. It is the best thing to have the morning of or the day after–not too filling or fattening, but just right.
I’m the host and as the oldest sibling, I like to make sure everyone eats yummy food, gets to relax, and tries new things. I like to show my parents that I’m thankful for all of the meals they’ve cooked for us in the past.
I am devouring Thanksgiving articles and books prepping for our second year as turkey-day hosts. Last year I worked night shift at the hospital the night before, and my husband and I cooked everything in a very sleep deprived state – which resulted in me crashing out in the bedroom right after pumpkin pie. This year I am determined to make up for that! My advice is have everyone help out a bit by bringing something (a big help if you have limited space), but make it something that doesn’t have to be heated in the oven so your turkey isn’t competing for a spot in the oven!
In the past I’ve been the host, but this year I’m a #guest at the in-laws’. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I can’t wait to check out this book!
This year Thanksgiving happens to fall on my 40th birthday so we’re hosting my entire family…but not at home, at a beachfront rental house in SC! We’ll need all the tips we can get 🙂
#host
I’m the host! My first tip is to make sure you schedule whats going in the oven (when, what temperature) and also on the range. And make sure you have enough pots, pans, and lids.
My second tip is good BUTTER. Lots of it. 😉
I anxiously await the day when I get to be the host. But for now I’m just the guest.
At our family gatherings, people take their dishes pretty seriously and everyone is looking for what they’re used to! There’s no room for corn pudding when Aunt So-and-So already takes care of the crock-pot creamed corn. All of the basics are always already covered and so I make a point to bring a dessert that is easy, travels well, and the kids will love.
This year I’m bringing rice crispy treats covered with a caramel layer. It’s not exactly traditional but it’s also not snooty and fancy and will step on exactly no one’s toes. 😀
I anxiously await the day when I get to be the host. But for now I’m just the #guest.
At our family gatherings, people take their dishes pretty seriously and everyone is looking for what they’re used to! There’s no room for corn pudding when Aunt So-and-So already takes care of the crock-pot creamed corn. All of the basics are always already covered and so I make a point to bring a dessert that is easy, travels well, and the kids will love.
This year I’m bringing rice crispy treats covered with a caramel layer. It’s not exactly traditional but it’s also not snooty and fancy and will step on exactly no one’s toes. 😀
Our home is too tiny to host, so I’m always a guest, even when I’m cooking the dinner (often at Mom’s house).
If I bring a dish to someone else’s Thanksgiving dinner, I make sure it’s something that’s either fully prepared or easy to fit into a busy, bustling kitchen – a side dish that is happy in in a wide range of oven temperatures, for example, or that can reheat quickly while the turkey is resting.
My real tip: always bring a little something beyond what the host requests, something special: a box of chocolates, or a bottle of sparkling wine, or muffins for the hosts’ breakfast the next day. Just a little something to say thanks for their hospitality and hard work.
#Guest, although I’d love to host! That’s crazy, though, right? I mean, is that crazy? 😉
I love food. I really enjoy your website. I am a perpetual #guest for Thanksgiving and always bring a side dish or two, this year I’ve been assigned potatoes. We have a family favorite cheesy hash brown casserole or traditional mashed potatoes with buttermilk. Haven’t decided yet.
I believe we are hosting… any help is greatly appreciated! I’ll be scanning your site daily!
I’m the host this year — my parents live in town and my brother is too far away to come — so we switch off who is “in charge” each year so my mom and I each get to have it our way every other year.
Host! I think basting with oil or butter is key to a browned crisp beautiful turkey skin.
#host, I take the day off from work the day before.