The main thing will be do you have enough oven room to heat everything up at once.

Paper plates or chinet for the apps and dessert. Home Goods always has great seasonal paper goods.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a fine china and crystal devotee, but… I started following the Sophistiplate account on Instagram during COVID and I have been dying to have an occasion to host for more people that I have china in order to order some of their stuff (themed paper plates, napkins, even cutlery). It hasn’t happened yet but I could live vicariously through you.

LOL 🤮🤮🤮
I just looked up their website since I don't have "insta" - instagrammable place settings.
At the very least this terrible site could make a way to filter out the Sold Out options. Application 101.
Costco is fine, thanks.

Do you respond with vomit emojis to someone's trying-to-be-helpful suggestion on a work chat about a group project? Teach your kids to do so at school when others contribute ideas they don't like?

Cry more "sophistiplate" booster.
Just the name is vomit-inducing.

If you want ham, that’s fine but it’s totally unnecessary. Just get a 18 or 20 lb Turkey. I routinely host 20 plus for thanksgiving. Agree I would add a green salad but your menu is fine.

Don’t be hesitant to delegate! If you are the type of person that says, “thank you, but I think we have it covered”, make a list of tasks ahead of time that you can assign when people offer to help - setting drinks out, replenishing charcuterie tray, collecting used cups, getting extra napkins, rounding up the kids for dinner, helping the kids serve themselves, setting the table, sweeping, taking out trash and recycling, getting ice, refilling drinks. And don’t be afraid to tell people to do stuff. It’s a lot of guests, so all hands on deck!

Anonymous wrote:Ask people to bring things. I can’t imagine going to a relative or friends house on thanksgiving and not making something(s) to contribute to the meal.

This. We all pitch in a dish. Since the same person generally hosts they know which ones we’re best at. Mom gets breads, I often am “something green or a vegetable dish you like”, sis is pies. The host makes turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans. We all bring a small addition to cheese board or small app. The other dishes get split up among other family members. We serve buffet style but the table is fully set minus plates. Bread is on table. It makes the extras easier. And you know there is at least one thing you can eat.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:17 people is nothing. No need for ham - just order a bigger turkey. Add the olives to the cheese board and keep the apps portion of the evening for a short time.

(Big)Turkey
Dressing
Cranberry
Corn casserole
Mashed potatoes
String beans
Rolls ( have someone order and pick up 20-24 from a nearby bakery)

Apple and pumpkin pies, and maybe pears and dessert cheese (have guests bring these). You can make the cranberry the day before.

“No need for ham?” How about turkey is gross and overrated, and Honeybaked ham is tasty.

I'm Jewish. My people don't eat ham. Turkey cooked well is actually excellent.

OP here. Thank you, for the advice AND the votes of confidence!

Rent the dishes. No need to wash. Give a rinse and send them back.

Ask people to bring things. I can’t imagine going to a relative or friends house on thanksgiving and not making something(s) to contribute to the meal.

Anonymous wrote:Buy the mashed potatoes at Costco (Wegmans probably has them too) and just microwave on the day. Agree to ask others to bring sides. But your menu sounds great as is with rolls!

No - please don’t

Anonymous wrote:Make ahead gravy. There are tons of recipes out there. Basically you roast turkey wings (super cheap) to make it. Making gravy after the turkey is done is such a pain and unnecessary stress since you can make it a couple days in advance.
I think your plan is great!

See Ina Garten for her make ahead recipes. She lives for this kind of thing…

Sounds great! At least you have plenty of notice.

I'd get a full ham and plan on leftovers.

My family would miss sweet potatoes.

I also like a crisp salad and/or add a veg tray for appetizers. Could outsource both of those to a guest.

Anonymous wrote:17 people is nothing. No need for ham - just order a bigger turkey. Add the olives to the cheese board and keep the apps portion of the evening for a short time.

(Big)Turkey
Dressing
Cranberry
Corn casserole
Mashed potatoes
String beans
Rolls ( have someone order and pick up 20-24 from a nearby bakery)

Apple and pumpkin pies, and maybe pears and dessert cheese (have guests bring these). You can make the cranberry the day before.

“No need for ham?” How about turkey is gross and overrated, and Honeybaked ham is tasty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I usually host 10-15 and I use real plates for dinner but I use holiday themed paper plates for dessert and for the appetizers/nibbles. Otherwise it’s just too many plates and the dishwashing gets really overwhelming.

Same here.

Also - we do a fun activity between dinner and dessert.
Recently, we have been sponsoring a family for the holidays and everyone brings something to wrap.

You sound like you have this all under control and you are on a path for a great day.

I love this idea!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a fine china and crystal devotee, but… I started following the Sophistiplate account on Instagram during COVID and I have been dying to have an occasion to host for more people that I have china in order to order some of their stuff (themed paper plates, napkins, even cutlery). It hasn’t happened yet but I could live vicariously through you.

LOL 🤮🤮🤮
I just looked up their website since I don't have "insta" - instagrammable place settings.
At the very least this terrible site could make a way to filter out the Sold Out options. Application 101.
Costco is fine, thanks.

Do you respond with vomit emojis to someone's trying-to-be-helpful suggestion on a work chat about a group project? Teach your kids to do so at school when others contribute ideas they don't like?