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 a heavily involved guest – my big tips are do the Kitchn make ahead gravy and Pioneer woman’s mashed potatoes, and do a fun dessert or appetizer to stay creative. It’s also a fun time to bust out a classic veggie side that screams special occasion – once I did Julia Child’s creamed spinach. It was a hit and I had extra laborers to help me stem it.
Not hosting but my host would love this!
No tips, alas, but I have really enjoyed everyone else’s!
Great giveaway! My tip: have Thanksgiving on the day after. Way less stressful and allows plenty of travel time for visiting family.
I’ll be a guest. But, on the week-end my daughter and her husband and one-year-old son will come and I will then be hosting them for a turkey pot pie, which they can take plenty of left-overs home, to freeze lunch-size portions for the work week. Also some apple and pumpkin pie.
I love to have my kids make up family trivia to play while they are waiting for dinner to start. The prize is to get to eat the first piece of pie.
Two tips: set up a bar/drink and snack station away from the kitchen, and add cream cheese to mashed potatoes.
#HOST Two tips: set up a bar/drink and snack station away from the kitchen, and add cream cheese to mashed potatoes.
Host! Well, my mom’s house is the roof since we’re up to 16 this year (ulp) but I am List Maker, Decider and Maker of almost everything but the turkey. Oh, this lists this year are glorious, glorious, I tell ya! But we’ve never settled on a repeat stuffing recipe so the quest continues…
I’m the cook. Lots of work but I enjoy it. You guys rock! Can’t do without the leftovers! That’s why you can’t go to anybody else’s house. I want (earlier commenter) ‘Marta’ to bring the pies!
We always have a big meal with several families combined plus anyone we know who needs a home for Thanksgiving. After many years of this, my Thanksgiving tip would be to remember to share the joy with those who are missing their loved ones. #Guest
I’m a guest this year; I’ll probably be in charge of bringing a side dish to each of the two celebrations we’ll attend. Last year, on sort of a whim, I tried making Brussels sprouts for the first time–they’re destined to become a tradition, I think!
#guest at my dear mama’s house. I will be making pie!
I am guest hosting!
I’m a guest at my parents for a much hoped-for holiday weekend. Something my mom always does is offer a non-pie/non-pumpkin dessert for people looking to try something different (or to leave me with a sweet breakfast for the next morning… Shhhh – don’t tell I had dessert for breakfast 🙂
I’m a #guest flying in from far away. The people at the table definitely make the meal, and the more the merrier (just as long as we all pitch in to help the host!).
#host. My mother asked to come to my house instead this year….she’s tired of cooking for a crowd. As someone who cooks for groups of 15+ at least twice a week, she sure deserves a break! My advice: have a few sofas reserved for napping areas after the feast. 🙂
My tip is to assign people a specific dish to bring. No surprises and you can plan the meal accordiingly.
I’m guest and host. We host a friend Thanksgiving potluck the week before so we can have/share our quintessential dishes, and then my parents host on the day and I feel no need to controls anything. I have it out of our system. I would love to have Sam’s book.
I’m guest and host. We host a friend Thanksgiving potluck the week before so we can have/share our quintessential dishes, and then my parents host on the day and I feel no need to control anything. I have it out of our system. I would love to have Sam’s book.
My mom is hosting (as usual)!!! I am #guest
If spending the day with your mother in law who drives you crazy (and tries feeding your 5 month old a grape), know when to step away and lock yourself in your room, or a bathroom, for 5 minutes so you don’t rip her head off in front of everyone else (after taking away the grape).
#guest
Hope my local library has this book.
I’m hosting this Thanksgiving! For the first time, and I am nervous….so this book (and the tips from everyone) are really helping.
My tip: (or at least what I plan to do) is to prep a few days in advance. Have a list of to do items for 3 days before, 2 days before, 1 day before, and day of Thanksgiving.
I would love this book Jenny.
Also, I LOVE your blog!
Divya
#host
#guest.
Prepping as much in advance as possible, and don’t be afraid to make guests wash dishes!