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.
I’m hosting for the third year in a row, but the first year for hosting my husband’s family. My tip is to wake up at the crack of dawn to keep the cook (my dad) company and learn his secrets (which were originally his father’s).
SO FUN!! We’ll be guests at my parents, but I’ll still be helping with cooking. My mom is such a traditionalist for Thanksgiving and has DRILLED into our heads that Thanksgiving is not the time to try anything wild, so it’s stuck with me and sound like this book would be right up my (and her!) alley!
I’m a host with cherished relatives from out of town coming and staying with me starting several days before Thanksgiving (8 people crashing chez moi!) so I can’t do much delegating and I’ll be needing to supply food for several days! Panicking (I think I need to buy more bath towels) but excited too. Last year was my first time hosting and I forgot to remove the little plastic gizmo holding the turkey legs together. The smell of melted plastic still makes me cringe…
I need your book!
Helping my parents to host!
#Guest. I’ve never hosted it myself and I’m longing to do so, but my aunt has all 50+ of us at her house (with three turkeys to feed everyone). Maybe next year when we’re craving something less crazy.
I’m a guest – always a huge crowd of 50 at my uncle’s house – my favorite day of the year!
Also need my own copy of this book b/c I have checked the library’s copy out one too many times – and I can’t write in it!
We are hosting. Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday!
I’m a guest at my Aunt’s house, but we all bring a dish to share. I usually bring my green bean casserole, but I would love to do something a little more this year!
I’m a #guest to best friends of my husband’s mother-in-law, who recently passed away. We’re really grateful and excited that they included us in their celebration. They’re also super into food. Because they’re in Cleveland, I’m thinking I might contribute with a Michael Ruhlman-themed schmaltz-based dish!
I would love a copy of the book to share with my hosts!
#Host. Relatives live far away, so the group is small. We get so excited about the food and make way too much! I have no tips that have not already been covered, and I could stand to learn from others.
I could sure use a copy of this! Not only is it Thanksgiving but a family reunion at my house:)
I am a #host. This is a zero brainier, but at our Thanksgiving we ask only that our guests bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share.
One of my favorite thanksgiving memories is standing at the stove in the morning, stirring the onions, celery, and mushrooms for the stuffing. That was my ‘job’.
i’m hosting this year! my only tip is…make more pie than you think you’ll need. 😉
Host to my turkey-hating bf and so excited to try roast duck! Also sad I wasn’t able to make it home for the holiday this year.
I am a guest this year, but will be helping with the cooking. The first Thanksgiving I hosted I used my friends as test subjects and did a run through of the whole feast several weeks ahead!
New York shoebox apartments have rendered me a #guest for life! At the least, it could help to learn how to make something tasty to bring 🙂
Happily, host! Buy a Heritage bird; worth every single penny; and dry brine per Judy Rodgers/Russ Parson. You won’t believe how incredible a turkey can taste.
I think my best tip is to get yourself invited somewhere like my mom’s! #guest
I am a guest this year.
Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday!! I am going to be a #Guest, as it will be at my in-laws, but I will probably also end up being head cook, so I don’t know if that makes me half a host? At any rate, I truly appreciate your blog and your book! They always add happy to my day. One Thanksgiving tip I’m working on this year – make favorite recipes throughout the month of November. On The Day, you really only have room for a tablespoon of everything. If you make your absolute favorites throughout the month you can properly gorge on that favorite stuffing recipe and get a full slice of pecan pie. Thanks!!
I am usually the official cooker if the thanksgiving meal, but we (thankfully!) host the event at my parents or in-laws homes.
My tip is to take it slow and serve one course at a time. In my opinion eating such a big ans delicious meal as thanksgiving should take all day.
I am the host … a lot of people in a small house but we love it!
I’m a guest who is in charge of the pies.
I’m the host. I always buy a fresh, not frozen turkey. No concerns about thawing, etc. – much easier.