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.
#Host one day, #guest the next. I need as much help as I can get!
My 9 year old tonight at our dinner table is already planning his Thanksgiving plate – and a piece of pumpkin pie as “big as his head.” The adults will begin with oysters (thank you Mr. Sifton!) and negronis. And we’ll follow it up with our annual “leftover party” the next day.
I’m a guest…our family divides up responsibilities, and they are the same for each person each year. Sounds boring, but keeps the train running, and every year we find more ways to perfect the “thing” we are responsible for. Delish!
#guest this year!
I am unexpectedly hosting this year. My sister needed to swap – she usually does Thanksgiving and I do Christmas. Need to brush up my turkey and stuffing skills!
Both #guest and #host, a #ghost if you will. Traveling to Mom’s where brother, SIL, Mom, and I will prepare it all from scratch except pickles/olives/cheese tray and cranberry jelly from a can. Mom is in charge of course! But we contribute equally on cooking and baking. My husband and Dad are in charge of the kiddos.
Guest!!!! But also doing a lot of cooking..and my tip as I tell my husband every year is not to take the cooking so SERIOUSLY!!!
#Guest- Bring lots of wine!
#host for the second year. Saving grace last year was a good game plan with timed activities that I got from the chew. I cooked a turkey breast though and it turned out too tough. Any tips for turkey for small gatherings?
Host but not for long. I always like to bring the just released Beaujolais Nouveau wine, it is a crowd pleaser.
This year I am the host! My first year as that too! My only tip is that every Thanksgiving dinner needs a little spunk – We have the untraditional Key Lime Pie as our dessert 🙂
Guest but will bring several dishes. We always have an embarrassment of riches from many gifted cooks.Tip: homemade cranberry sauce. It is simple to make and to vary and it is glorious compared to canned.
I’m sure no one reading this would ever have anything but an organic, pastured, bought-from-the-farmer bird, but just in case you do happen to end up with one of those turkeys with the thermometer popper thingy, don’t baste it so that it sticks and can’t pop.
#Guest !
I’m the host, for the second year in a row and I’m very glad. I like being in control. I think this year my goal will be to make fewer dishes. I usually go overboard and end up with too much that all needs to be on the stove or in the oven at exactly the same moment and that stresses me out too much. Happy Thanksgiving!
#hosting for the first time– my family, maybe the in laws, and we’ve been married a month. Other the mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, anything goes in my family so I am looking forward to coming up with a new side dish or two and making our own traditions.
This year (and every year) I am both #Guest and #Host. I love the tradition. The weekend before “real” Thanksgiving, my friends throw a HUGE bash where we all bring dishes and compete for “the best” in multiple categories. Then on turkey day, I host an intimate party of close friends and family.
While I love the traditional menu items, I love changing it up. This year, instead of my award winning apple pie, I’m going with apple upside down cake. It’s easy to make and a total show stopper!
This is the most inclusive holiday we have…everyone celebrates, every religion, those of every ethnic group, immigrants from all countries. We do not give presents or recite a specific text. We are “just” thankful for our lives, or parts of our lives. We focus on what we have, not what we want.
I’m the host!
This year we’re going to change up the seating and ask our guests to change tables or sit next to someone different during dessert.
Guest! But I’m all about frying up that turkey. And then throwing Brussels sprouts in the fryer afterwards and tossing with honey/lime/sriracha
I’m the host – have been for the last 10 years. I complain and kick myself somewhere along the line every year but in reality I wouldn’t have it any other way. My only other tip is to change up one recipe every year – just to give the day a fresh look.
This year, I am a guest! Looking forward to bringing some tasty dishes! Best tip is to use your slow cooker on warm to keep the potatoes warm- you don’t have to worry about them getting cold or being prepared too early!!
#guest! Looking forward to helping out, though!
I’m a guest – but I get asked to bring the pies. I do two – one traditional and one twist (a pumpkin and a parsnip custard, for example). Keeps everyone happy and delighted.
#guest!