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.
Guest for the first time in ages. Not going home for thanksgiving and was feeling a little down about it. Neighbors parents invited us over. Tip? Bring something lovely for just the host. Soap, chocolates not to be shared, a lovely book. Love your site!
I’ll be a guest again at my friend Bev’s. Every year there are between 50 and 70 people, with everyone bringing a dish so nobody goes hungry. She also picks a theme for the day, this year it’s Duck Dynasty,
Host, and 9 months pregnant… early prep is my friend.
#guest
I’ve heard that Lambrusco goes well with turkey so I will be bringing for the hostess!
Guest but also a host since our friends throw a potluck the Friday after Thanksgiving every year. Yes that’s two days in a row of gluttonous celebrations! I’m always the one who makes a big slab of pork.
I am a guest but always contribute a side dish and wine.
I am a guest but always contribute a side dish and wine,
I’ll be a guest this year at my parents home. One of my favorite tips is to use turkey breasts instead of a whole bird. It may be less traditional but it is still tasty, saves SO MUCH clean up, and leaves the wow factor for all the yummy sides!
Usually we’re the host. Thanksgiving tip: the green bean casserole from-scratch recipe on Martha Stewart is both very time-consuming and completely worth it. And for the kids (and pregnant ladies, as I was last year), Martinelli’s cider is fun. 🙂
#host, and my plan is to stick with classics, and one new twist. Thanks for the opportunity!
Please please don’t go shopping Thanksgiving. You’re only encouraging the retailers. Stay home and enjoy your family, take a walk in the woods, visit your neighbors, take leftovers to an elderly person, play a game with your family….just please don’t go shopping.
I’ll be a contributing guest this year who some day looks forward to hosting!
#guest
I’m the guest/co-host at my parents’ Thanksgiving this year. To echo others here, the best tip I have is to plan ahead. My mom and I do prep and some of the cooking on Wednesday or even Tuesday so that Thursday morning is smooth and unhurried!
I will be hosting – My Thanksgiving tip: Have fabulous sisters-in-law who love to cook and do it very well!
Host! Always serve great turkey, concentrate on gravy/mashed tats and make homemade stuffing….delegate the side dishes to your guests.
I would love this book because it matches my philospohy
i just received this book today from amazon! hosting for the first time and was required to return the library’s copy of the book this week. however, i would love to win this for my sister, who is hosting in Los Angeles. thank you! can’t wait to follow the blog and receive all of your thanksgiving wisdom.
I’m like a halfway host (I play the sous chef role for my mom) 😀
I’m hosting the weekend before Thanksgiving for one son and his girlfriend (probably capon instead of turkey), then will be a guest on the actual day (Thanksgivukah, as I’ve been informed it will be) with my other son. I will bring apple and huckleberry pies as well as vegetarian gravy. I will endeavor to be thankful that I have been included in two celebrations and not be (too) bossy.
host!
I heart Thanksgiving at my house. We have the traditional American foods with a side of kimchee, some kind of jjigae, and kalbi/bulgogi! x
I’m the host. I love Thanksgiving! My tip is to make a timeline. I start at the end-when I want to eat-then figure out when things need to go into the oven. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
I feel that I’ve grown as a cook so much since I started reading DALS. I would love to expand my Thanksgiving repertoire as well.
I’m hosting this year. Tip: Accept help when offered!
(and have ready of list of non-culinary tasks for the fourth helper trying to crowd your kitchen space — i.e. “can you check to see how everyone is doing with drinks.”)
I always host, and I always begin my cooking with the cranberry sauce. It’s easy to prepare and it keeps well, and when it’s done I feel as though I can now cross one thing off my list!
Since my husband went vegan, Thanksgiving has become a challenge. I’ve tweaked some of the family favorites to meet his dietary needs. I’ll get the smallest turkey possible, (I must have the carcass to make stock!) and concentrate on a variety of vegan-ed up sides. It is still mostly a traditional meal, and definitely comfort food with a vegan twist.