Thanksgiving Chatter

catem07 · November 2016

I thought this would be a good place to have a convo about the upcoming holiday. What are your plans? Are you cooking? If so, what? Are you hosting? If so, who? What are you looking forward to? What are you dreading? ...etc. No need to answer all or even any of the questions, just ideas.

catem07 · November 2016

DH and I are hosting for the first time. I'm looking forward to it because I love to cook and bake. We are planning on frying our turkey but it's supposed to rain, so we might have to go to plan b: spatchcock. I did some prep this weekend, making pie crust and cranberry sauce. My parents and brother and his gf are coming, and my in-laws and BIL, and DH's family friends, and a friend from church who wasn't able to go home. We'll have unlucky 13 at the table...

Our menu is:
Turkey
Gravy
Stuffing (out of the bird)
Cranberry sauce
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potato casserole
Corn pudding
Brussels sprouts with bacon
Maple glazed carrots
Pecan pie
Apple crisp
Pumpkin pie

I'm going to miss drinking. I'm not a big drinker, but I do enjoy beer and wine during the holidays. And some of my favorite seasonal beers are out now (and DH and I bought some yesterday).

HGRich · November 2016

Going back to my hometown to help mama and grandma host this year. Helping cook the usual favorites and can I just say, I am beyond excited that thanksgiving is falling during the second trimester when I finally want to eat? Haha. We'll have a houseful of 30 people. Be good to see my grandparents and brothers for the first time since I got pregnant. Let them see the bump and hear the heartbeat.

Menu: turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole (the unhealthy kind with marshmallows, fruit salad, veggie trays, stuffing, cranberry sauce, lots and lots of desserts. I plan to make Oreo truffles and pumpkin white chocolate snickerdoodles.

Dannylion24 · November 2016

We are in the middle of packing for a move and putting our own house on the market so we are trying to keep this holiday pretty low-key. My parents and brother are coming to our house. I'm not big on turkey so I'm just hearing up a large turkey breast for the others and then making a small ham, putting together my mil's super easy sausage stuffing, mushroom gravy, pre-made mashed pots, a couple baked sweet pots, corn, traditional green bean casserole, and garlic & cheese "crack" bread. Oh, and probably a vat of kraft mac n cheese bc my 4 kids are super picky. Dessert is a cloud pie and I think my dad is bringing deviled eggs to eat beforehand and I'll toss together a dip or two. I really don't want to be stressed about the food. The night before Thanksgiving is DH and I's wedding anniversary so I'd love to escape that night or on Black Friday for hibachi or sushi if possible.

schef070911 · November 2016

We are braving the traffic to go home Wednesday afternoon/evening - a 7.5 hour drive normally, no idea how much longer it will take.... Lord help us!!! My parents are hosting Thanksgiving for approximately 45 people - my mom has 6 brothers and sisters and most of their families are coming. Excited to tell everyone we're having a girl! My ILs are also coming as their extended family doesn't get together for Thanksgiving. Pretty traditional Thanksgiving fare at our house - turkey (baked and fried), mashed potatoes, casseroles, and a small mountain of desserts. I'm pretty pumped

ETA: words

rachelmiller03 · November 2016

Thanksgiving has had a new meaning to me the last couple of years. This may be TMI, but DS was conceived on Thanksgiving (I think

it could have been a few days later). We always call him our little turkey. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday- it's like Christmas but without the pressure. I'm happy that this year we get to stay in town, and only have to go to one dinner.
One rant: I finally have the urge- after getting over extreme ms- to cook again! My mom wont let me cook anything, she wants to do it all herself. She asked me to bring crudite and ice cream. I think I will just show up early on Thursday morning to help her.

KirstinH88 · November 2016

All of you ladies who are hosting and cooking are saints in my eyes! I just do NOT have the energy for that. And standing for any period of time hurts my back and makes me winded.

Thursday, I think we are going to my MILs. DHs immediate family did an early Thanksgiving last weekend, but I guess they are doing another one? If not, then we will just be sitting at home and relaxing!

Friday, my dad is hosting Thanksgiving. I can't wait. I love my dads and stepmoms thanksgiving way more than DHs family. They serve basically the same foods, but I think my stepmom cooks better. Also, they always have TONS of appetizers and munchies before the actual dinner.

I don't do Thanksgiving shopping, but will go out on Black Friday (before going to my dads). My mom has been on vacation in Jamaica (so jealous), but she promised a baby shopping spree when she returned, so I'm looking forward to that too.

cafedisco · November 2016

Some of you are having huge gatherings! I've never been to a holiday with so many people. Neither DH or I are close with extended family and they are all spread out even if we wanted to be. My parents left town so it will just be DD, DH and myself. DH does all the cooking. I usually do dessert but he bought a pie and I'm not complaining.

Best part will be getting the tree Friday

otherwise, keeping my feet up as much as possible.

visualcircus · November 2016

We're flying to the in-laws for a family reunion and thanksgiving dinner. Only thing I'll be helping with is cleanup and cookie decorating since everything is always ready to go when we get there. I'm looking forward to seeing the uncles hang out with their nephew and a mini vacation! I always enjoy spending time with the in-laws and hope to get some shopping in as well.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I don't mind cooking either, but look forward to a break.

bww_0331 · November 2016

We are visiting both sets of parents. Driving 7-8 hours to see the ILs on a Wednesday. Then Friday morning after we shop we will drive 5 hours to my parents. Then another 5 hours home on Sunday. Not looking forward to all the driving but I am excited to see everyone and eat all that yummy food!

shaunessa · November 2016

Going to my mom and dad's house, which is pretty much 10 minutes from our house. I'm in charge of making the green bean casserole, which I hope comes out good. Last year I tried making "cream cheese corn" and it was a total flop! Everyone hated it and didn't eat it, so I'm hoping to redeem myself this year!

HappyAnjel · November 2016

We were supposed to host but my SILs family (mom, sister and nephew) invited themselves and always start drama so we are doing it at my parents house bc my mom felt bad telling them no and I refuse to let them take over my house. It works out anyway bc Husband's grandmother is coming to town for probably the last time so we'll skip out early to see her.

I will be helping my mom make all the food.. we are having

Appetizers:
Deviled eggs, Ham roll ups, pepperoni cheese and crackers and veggies with dip

Main course:
Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, Broccoli Cheese & Rice casserole, corn, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, rolls and green beans

Dessert:
Apple pie with Ice cream, pumpkin pie, peanut butter pie, chocolate pudding pie, variety of cookies, fudge and peanut butter bars.

Caressa1 · November 2016

SO and I are hosting thanksgiving for the first time! There will be 25 (or more) people so it's been stressful but we're really excited. I was pregnant with DD last thanksgiving and was in the hospital that day so I'm happy I actually get a thanksgiving this year! The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the clean up afterwards.

Magheeta · November 2016

We are heading down South to be with my family this year. We keep things simple, and my aunt and grandma usually make stuff ahead of time. I don't think I'll have to cook, so that will be nice since the last time I was pregnant over Thanksgiving, I over did it and wanted to scream. I will miss wine and beer

super_sam03 · November 2016

Can I just say how hungry this thread is making me? I found myself reading your menus slowly like it's a Harlequin Romance Novel - "...and he slowly drizzled the gravy over the fluffy potatoes..."

Some of you are hosting entire villages! Kudos to you!

We're traveling to my in-laws this year (about 4 hours away) and I was let off the hook from prepping anything. I'm bringing wine, wine, and whiskey. I warned them I might be sniffing their glasses.

BeachMommy2B · November 2016

We are having my parents and brother over to our house. My mom is helping me cook so it will be fun. I have to split things over a couple days in preparation...

Tonight I'm making desserts: cheesecake, cookies, and pumpkin bars

Tomorrow night: I have to roll out my dumplings and let them sit over night

Thursday's full menu:
Fried Turkey (we no longer do traditional turkey)
Chicken and Dumplings
Dressing
Mashed Potatoes and gravy
Green Beans cooked with bacon
Glazed Carrots

SnarkasaurusRex · November 2016

We're hosting my parents and possibly my brother if the Air Force will give him leave for a couple of days.

Our Menu:
Bacon Wrapped Turkey (according to DH the turkey is the "man's domain," so I'm just letting him run with it, haha.)
Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Cheddar Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Noodles (my grandma's recipe)
Cranberries
Rolls
Pumpkin Pie

I'm actually really excited because we got our turkey from the Farmer's Market this year...it was really expensive BUT it was still alive two days ago, so I am looking forward to seeing what fresh, pasture raised turkey tastes like, haha.

Edited because I can't spell, apparently.

dam0ne4 · November 2016

We're going to the in laws and all I have to do is make sweet potato souffle. My MIL is making a ham and a turkey for 5 adults and 3 kids lol. She was fretting on the phone last night about having enough food. She always has way too much.

lovelongdog06 · November 2016

Everyone's menus have me drooling more than usual! My in-laws are in town and one good friend will be over, so we have a small crowd but I'm cooking for an army. I bought a 22 lb bird!

Our menu:
Roast turkey (and hopefully homemade gravy if the drippings are sufficient)
Mashed potatoes (hand mashed russets with ridiculous amounts of butter, milk, and just the right amount of salt n pepper. The main dish, imo, nicely complimented by the turkey)
Stuffing
Baked corn casserole
Sweet potatoes in some form (I want marshmallows but MIL doesn't)
Mixed veggies
Green salad
Cranberry sauce
Rolls with butter
Pumpkin, apple, blueberry and possibly chocolate pies.

I'm so hungry already!!

HGRich · November 2016

@lovelongdog06 play the pregnant card and get those marshmallows! Haha

cafedisco · November 2016

@lovelongdog06 4 pies?! You're my hero.

BeachMommy2B · November 2016

@lovelongdog06 have you ever used caned condensed milk in your mashed potatoes... I'm telling you it's a life changer! Makes the potatoes have a nice rich flavor

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