S/O: 'Civilized' Holiday How-To
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Anonymous
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We do a mix. If I'm hosting, I use the nice china and glassware. If my IL's are, there's literally 40+ people so we do divided paper plates.
I make pies the day before while drinking wine and watching Gone With the Wind on AMC. When it's at my house we get up, put on the parade, dress nicely (no jeans), and I start cooking. Table is set by DH during the cooking period. I also use linen napkins that I iron and I fold those for him to put out. I will set out some heavy hors d'ouvres around lunchtime and pour wine. Finish cooking and eat around 3 pm. Sit around awhile, clean up, then do pies and a second round of dinner food before putting it all away. |
Anonymous
| Oh and I agree- NOTHING but pie is made the day before. Nothing. |
Anonymous
And if the turkey had been cooked the day before, you would just have had different best memories from Thanksgiving when you were growing up. The Thanksgiving dinner that I make is not about presentation, but I haven't heard any complaints. |
Anonymous
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I make a schedule, like:
10:30 Preheat oven to 400 Prep casserole Remove turkey from fridge 11:00 put stuffing in oven Prep turkey 1:55 warm rolls Like others, I make the cranberry sauce ahead and freeze it. Also write out my menu weeks in advance and make a schedule for what needs to get done each evening. I prep my stuffing the day before and just cook it off on Tday. |
Anonymous
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I've never heard of cooking a turkey the day before. I just don't believe it wouldn't be dry, sorry...
One thing I do is make sure that my guests who want to contribute let me know specifically they plan to bring a week out. If people say "I'll bring dessert" you can end up with four pumpkin pies! |
Anonymous
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LOVE this thread!
I mark small tasks on my calendar weeks in advance. I'll make the place cards, put them in their holds, put them in a box here...iron the linens there...polish silver another night. All while watching TV after DD is in bed. That way, nothing sneaks up on me and I don't feel overwhelmed the day of. |
Anonymous
Not even cranberry sauce? It tastes better if it sets overnight in the fridge IMO. |
Anonymous
Pecan pie is nicely "congealed" with a crunchier top crust if made the night before. I'm getting hungry! |
Anonymous
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My idea of a "civilized" holiday how to:
- People aren't glued to their tech gadgets - Everyone lends a hand somehow - in prep, cooking, bringing a side-dish, cleaning, whatever. It's nice to have Thanksgiving made from the fruits of everyone, even if it's just a little bit - People come to actually enjoy each other's company, and not because they feel obligated to go - People at least TRY to have a good time (I'm looking at you, uptight SIL who's glued to her phone and is probably internally aghast at using paper cups) - lots of laughter and joy and silliness and chill times |
Anonymous
Come on. Judge her for her actual behavior (the phone), fair enough, but don't project as to what she is "probably" thinking. |
Anonymous
My mom does this. SHe cooks one turkey the day before, and slices it and wraps it well and makes the gravy. Then she cooks another turkey the morning of, and heats up the day before's turkey. She brines the turkey so it isn't dry at all. So there's pre sliced turkey ready for dinner, plus the second turkey for presentation.. .and leftovers! |
Anonymous
| I try to be polite but firm that I don't want people making/bringing tons of dishes. I try to keep the menu yummy but simple. It cuts down on clean up not to have to fill 85 containers and clean 85 pots and pans. There is no need for 15 different starchy side dishes at one meal! |
Anonymous
That's kind of weird. |
Anonymous
Oh, this would just drive me bonkers! |
Anonymous
Yes that's why I said I make my pies the day before but only the pies. My family doesn't like cranberry sauce so I don't bother with it. |