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.
This year will be different, but usually I’m #Host. My tip is to clean the fridge–really clean it. Everything out, scrub, throw away condiments, etc–before you start shopping.
I’m the host…for the first time! I don’t have any tips, I need them!!
I’m a #guest this year.
Make all the usuals and one newfangled item.
My husband and I are giving thanks this year by actually withdrawing a little bit and spending the holiday alone, together. We’ve had a long few months of packing and moving and unpacking and fixing and we are so looking forward to a long weekend of binge-watching television. We’ll be hosting next year in our new home, but this year we’re hoping to be #Guests of our friends
Whoops, I meant #Host!
#Host! Thanksgivukah this year. Adding latkes to side dishes and making cranberry applesauce. Make mashed potatoes in the morning and keep them warm in the slow cooker.
I’m sort of the #host in that I am the primary cook but it’s at my in-law’s house.
My biggest tip is to do a lot of the peeling, chopping, and baking as you can beforehand AND to make a rough schedule of what will be going in the oven when along with cooking times.
#Guest, but I’ll be making a cranberry pie and maybe The Smitten Kitchen’s chocolate caramel crack
This year I’m the host for 11 college students in my American Literature class. I’m thinking traditional fare for their un-adventurous palates–we won’t be recreating the early American feast.
#Guest this year (my sister & I take turns). don’t be afraid to ask people to bring specific courses/dishes to ease the load. People are always flattered when you ask for their workarounds version of something!
#Guest this year (my sister & I take turns). don’t be afraid to ask people to bring specific courses/dishes to ease the load. People are always flattered when you ask for their wondrous version of something!
i am hosting…our family is far, far away and we have ‘traditionally’ shared thanksgiving with our neighbors down the road. they do the turkey and we do the rest!
i am from the deep south and mired in my grandmother’s ways. we have dressing (not stuffing!), giblet gravy, rolls, greens, sweet potatoes with a pecan crust, and drum roll please….
tomato aspic.
no one even likes it. but it is certainly a conversation starter.
would love to win.
#host. Be organized
I’ve tried being the host but I am an excellent #guest – I bring the perfect wine and a delicious dessert, always help out with the cooking or setting up as needed, and will happily scour some pots at the end of the meal.
Hmmm both host and guest. Not sure of our menu yet! Thanks for the chance to win!
My tip is to plan out the tasks that people can easily help you with ahead of time (stirring the gravy, setting the table, etc.). That way, you can gracefully take advantage of offeres to lend a hand, and you might not be as sweaty when it’s time to serve and eat!
I am a #Host to 30 people this year for Thanksgiving. A mix of family and friends. I truly am looking forward to it! Thankfully everyone gets along.
I am the #Host for the first time ever!! For both sides of the family. It’s going to be awesome, but I could use all the help I can get 🙂
I am both guest and host this year…I will be traveling to my mother in laws in Vermont. She just had her knee replaced so I will be staying in her house but in charge of the turkey!
I am the guest! Although i have been given the task of producing a yummy pudding, well of course a few as we all love a bit of choice when it comes to desert. I have always wanted to celebrate a traditional thanksgiving holiday in America and since my friend got a job in Chicago i snapped at the chance and booked my flights! i am so excited to see her in a new adventure! so in just over 2 weeks time i would have landed and would love to present my friend with such a fab looking book!
Guest this year, and my best trick (as host) is to prepare as much as food as possible a day or two ahead. I’ve learned that even make-ahead mashed potatoes are possible — they involve a lot of cream cheese, and butter, and sour cream — and they are glorious.
I’m a guest. I’ve only been the host once and after I read this book I can make that happen. Ha!
Canadian Thanksgiving has already passed and I was a #guest x2 this year. But Christmas is fast approaching and there’s a good chance I’ll be #host this year.
#host! For the first time! I’m focusing on keeping the house in order, as well as some make-ahead dishes. My dad can’t wait to take over turkey duty!