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.
For the first time in many years, my husband and I, along with my brother and sister-in-law, are going to my parents for Thanksgiving. To give us more time to give thanks and spend time with one another, my husband and I will do most of the cooking and clean up. But there’s no doubt that we’ll gather in the kitchen during the prep and share our trade secrets for the perfect turkey. I think that makes us guests with gifts.
#host. Set table the night before, and organize serving dishes and serving utensils. Enlist the kids in making place cards.
#Host We are hosting two Thanksgiving dinners this year. A small one on the actual day for family (just 5 people) and a huge one a week before for friends (likely around 30 people). The key to the best turkeys we’ve ever made: 24-hour brine!
I don’t have a tip, but my dad told me the sweetest story about thanksgiving this year. My little brother has been away at Infantry and Ranger and now Airborne school for the last 10 months and when he called my dad he listed all of the thanksgiving traditions he wanted to celebrate when he comes home this month. he specifically asked to do dishes. because every year he does dishes after dinner. the sweetest. #guest
I’m always a #Guest b/c it’s always at my mother-in-law’s house, but I always bring the breads and pies and hope to one day be the host for the family’s Thanksgiving
I will be a guest at my boyfriend’s family thanksgiving again this year. His chef uncle cooks the bulk of the meal, but we always try and bring something- I hate to come empty handed to anything!
I’m a #guest but aspiring #host.
My #guest tip is, don’t fast all day before the feast! You need to expand your stomach a little or you won’t be able to stuff yourself silly. 🙂
I’m a guest, but responsible for the pie! I’d love to have a copy of this for dessert ideas.
I am hosting this year and so excited because this is a meal I love cooking. This year I am on call so I truly am doing almost everything in advance. Made the stock last weekend and will make the soup this week and put it in the freezer. Also I will make the cranberry sauce this weekend. I would love a new book with need ideas and recipes!!
Happy Thanksgiving, one and all. To all you hosts, thanks for these great tips, and to all you guests, look lively with the thanks and praise. It means a lot to those cooking. I’m roasting a fat bird this year and plan on consuming many oysters beforehand. If you get jammed up, you can always reach out to me on Twitter: @samsifton. Enjoy and — here’s hoping! — happy reading.
My tip would be to make the busy food items the night before.
Mashed pot’s, green bean casserole, dressing…make it all and cover with foil. The next day just stick it in the oven to warm up! Gives you more time with loved ones.
My husband and I are hosting my parents for the first time! AAAH!
#Host — the 2nd annual and I need all the help I can get.
I will be a #guest this year, but I’m already looking forward to making these BA Cranberry Margaritas next year when I host and I’m no longer pregnant 😉
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cranberry-margarita
I’ll be out of the country for Thanksgiving this year! BUT since it’s my absolute favorite holiday (and meal!) I’m hosting a Thanksgiving part 2 the following weekend to celebrate and be thankful with friends (and turkey!).
I’m the host, and my tip isn’t very revolutionary, except for maybe it is. Don’t sweat it. Presumably the people sharing your table like or even love you already, so no need to impress them or try to be something you’re not. Keep it simple, and make sure there’s plenty of booze.
#guest this year. I love Sam Sifton’s writing. Prep in advance, sure, but also go for a walk in the morning and open wine for the cook at least when the turkey goes in the oven…
I’m the host – for both my and my husband’s family. My tip is to make and freeze in advance the Dinner A Love Story Tuscan Minnestrone soup to serve for dinner, along with warm sourdough bread, to those members of the family who will arrive Wednesday night!
It’s mine and my husband’s first thanksgiving together so I’m looking for tips for a first-time #host. But I agree with Emma, can’t go wrong with plenty of booze.
Thanksgiving is my son-in-law’s favorite holiday; he is cooking this year and I know it will be great. I would love to send this to him.
Co-hosting with my sister!
I am a guest who wishes I could host. That said – our Thanksgiving is a wonderful mix of those of us who want traditional all the way (me, my sister, my dad) and those who want to eat beef (everyone else). We are also in a gluten free / gluten full split…so we could use all the help we can get! My tip is to try to keep people focused on the point of the day – being Thankful – and the history of the day. Last year we created a “Are you smarter than a 1st grader” quiz on Thanksgiving history. The first grader won – but only because she had watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie about 100 times before the big day. Thanks for your blog – it is how I start my day…Carrie
It’s definitely worth sitting down a week or two before Thanksgiving and making a meal plan, shopping list, and cooking schedule. It helps to think about what can be done in advance and what last-minute things should be done when. #host
I’m definitely the host. My tip in 3 words: mise en place. Make sure you have everything at hand before you begin cooking–and I mean everything: ingredients, equipment and serving bowls. There’s nothing worst than running around at the last minute on Thanksgiving Day trying to pick up an ingredient you forgot.
I will be hosting this year, with a 3 month old in tow 🙂 And I will have gone back to work that week, too! Whew.
For me, cocktails and wine play as big a part of the meal as the food. Plus, it will keep people happy while you’re doing last minute preparation.
Also, it doesn’t have to be turkey, people! I like turkey, but I’ve had Thanksgiving in the past with roast chicken, duck and ham. It’s all been delicious.