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. My mother-in-law cooks an awesome meal each year.
I’m a #guest. We’re traveling 6hrs to NC, so we’re bringing some make-aheads: Orangette’s Cranberry Sauce and Butternut Squash Puree, The Kitchn’s Sage Stuffing (which can be transported in the cooler pre-baking), and Wine.
Love Thanksgiving!
#host who buys a fully cooked turkey every year.
#guest and my only tip is PREP IN ADVANCE. You don’t get extra points for doing it all the day of and making yourself miserable.
#Host! For the fifth year in a row I’ve got friendsgiving. Also the best thing I ever did was put brown butter in my mashed potatoes. NO REGRETS!
Host. We are smoking a turkey on our Weber Grill this year and I am attempting 2 new recipes. Good thing there is only 6 of us. Viva Thanksgiving!
#HOST here. Would love that book!
Go with the flow… and make what you love!
I am hosting, have for the past 4 years. Last year it was 2 weeks after my baby was born. This year thanksgiving falls on my BIRTHDAY! My tip would be to let people help…have them bring their signature dish, wash dishes, etc.
I’m hosting this year, but it’s a group effort. My mom is making the turkey, dressing and gravy. Whew. I am in charge of all the sides. My #1 tip is to set out a few starters for your guests to nosh on while you finish any last minute work. Cheese board? Veggies & Dip? Bourbon…
#guest here….the first time in eons i’m not doing every bit of the cooking myself, and i’m a little bit sad. but happy i’ll be with family. …i made those perfect chicken thighs last night from Bon Apetite, by the way, and they were delicious (if a little bit messy, what with all that sizzling going on at the stovetop!). Big hit with my small child, too!!!
First time host! Cooking for my grandmother this year instead of her doing all the work.
We are going to be guests but will be doing most of the cooking (not sure how that really happened….)
#guest, but have hosted before. Involve the guests in bringing sides – they have something they like and one less dish for you to prepare!
Guest! So none of the cleaning–but still a lot of cooking!
I’m cooking Thanksgiving for the first time this year! #host
I am the host and the guest! My husband’s family gathers every year at a cabin in the woods for the long weekend. We take turns preparing meals throughout the weekend and ignore the Black Friday madness that happens after the Thursday turkey.
#Guest this year, but I love to host this holiday. Don’t go too heavy on the appetizers.
#Guest, who intends to insert at least one–if not two–truly southern dishes into the frosty, sadly butter-less landscape of my in-laws’ thoroughly northern Thanksgiving dinner. Can anyone say greens and pecan pie?
#Guest! But hopefully when I move to a bigger house I’ll earn the right to host!
Make your own cranberry sauce. It could NOT be easier. #guest
#guest, I think it is great to bring a desert and help out!
I’m hosting but at a cabin, not my house. I’m worried about not having everything I need so the lists got started last week!
Hosting this year! My tip is to invite non-family members – to make it feel more like a party and to minimize family drama. Everybody seems to be on their best behavior when non-family members are around.
#Host I’m hosting my immediate family for a small but yummy get together. We’re skipping the turkey and going straight for the pernil with traditional and Spanish fixings! Can’t wait =)