Thanksgiving 101? Tips? Advice? Etc.?

I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my family this year and it's my first time. Eight of my family members will be attending and five will be staying at my home overnight.





I'm getting a little nervous because I haven't even started to plan for this.Thanksgiving 101? Tips? Advice? Etc.?
Make a list of what you need to do. Don't forget the cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Good luck and have a happy one!Thanksgiving 101? Tips? Advice? Etc.?
Can any of your family members help you (even bring a dish or two)? I'll even suggest you ';cheat'; a little and buy really nice desserts at Costco or another bakery you like.





Make a list of everything to keep your head straight. Here's an example of a nice checklist:





A Week or More Before:





If you're planning an extended family dinner, coordinate with family members so guests aren't in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between meals.





Consider hosting a potluck. As the host, you'll take care of the turkey. Two weeks before the meal, ask guests to bring specific dishes, like sweet potatoes, extra stuffing and gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, dessert, wine and so on. Request that people bring serving dishes for their contribution and be responsible for its presentation. Note: The best potluck foods are those that can be served at room temperature.





Create a list of everything you'll need to purchase and gather. Include ingredients for all of your dishes, plus candles, table linens, flowers, etc.





Take inventory of your dinnerware. If you don't have enough matching china and cutlery, use complementary colors or patterns, or go eclectic by mixing and matching.





A few days before Thanksgiving, save food containers and paper bags for packing up leftovers and handing them out to guests on their way out. Bags and newspapers also come in handy for making paper turkeys.





Collect chairs, benches and large pillows to ensure ample seating for everyone in the dining- and living-room areas. Folding chairs are fine if you outfit them with a seat cushion or slipcover. Small tables are good for guests to place glasses and dishes on. Cover folding tables with a tablecloth.





The Day Before:


Bake desserts and side dishes that can be refrigerated and confirm deliveries from food services and caterers.





Create a timetable for the cooking that has to be done on Thanksgiving Day so everything will be ready at mealtime.





Decide on a table centerpiece. Flowers or collections of candles work well. Line votive candles down the center so the entire table is aglow. Since it's fall, you could also try an arrangement of seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as our Gorgeous Gourds centerpiece. Place pumpkins, gourds and wheat around the house for decorative touches.





Prepare yourself, too. Today's a good day to decide what to wear and to mentally take yourself through Thanksgiving Day. Don't worry about potential mishaps. Remember that the important thing is that family and friends are together.





The Day Of:


Don't forget breakfast. Your family will be happier sitting down to an afternoon feast if their stomachs aren't completely empty.





Make the stuffing in the morning and stuff the turkey right before it's ready to go in the oven.





Enlist helpers to set the table before guests arrive. Those who are not setting the table can arrange the vegetable plate or other pre-dinner platters. Encourage reluctant children (and adults) to pitch in by announcing that the worst sourpuss will have to scrub the turkey pan at the end of the night.





Once guests start to arrive, give each child an assignment, such as greeting the guests at the door, taking people's coats, making a new member of the family feel at home, or getting the younger kids prepared for dinner.
you better get on it girl ! You need to plan a menu, make a list, go shopping.I do my baking the day before. It might take a few days just for cooking and baking.


Don't forget to take the giblets and neck out of the turkey. My first turkey I did that, it was embarrassing. Watch some cooking shows on tv, everybody is exploiting this holiday so you should be able to get some good ideas from Martha (her stuff might be too advanced for a beginner) Maybe check out Rachel Ray (shes annoying though) she might have a yumo turkey recipe for you.
GOOD LUCK!
This may seem very basic, but I know many people who have made this mistake the first time they roasted a turkey! First, be sure you defrost the bird. Then, be sure to check both cavities and remove the bag of giblets and the neck before you clean, season, stuff, and roast the bird.
I have hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for more than 25 years, except for a few when I was battling cancer.





Here are a few tips. Go with the vegetables that you know. I have a few different yet simple recipes that I always use so making them isn't a hassle.





As far as the turkey. Go with something like a Butterball and cook it as the label says. There is a 24 hour hot line for them too, if you have any questions.





I start desserts several days in advance so I am not as rushed on Thanksgiving day.





Another thing you may want to do is do all the prep work you can a day or two in advance. I peel and cut my carrots a day early and I chop all of the things that are going in to my stuffing a day or so in advance. I store everything in zip-lock bags and then as I need them, I use them and throw the bags away. There is less dishes to clean that way.





If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me and I can give you some easy recipes for your dinner.





Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.
the best advise I can give is to cook all your side dishes the day before (except the mashed potatoes) then you wont be busting your butt the day of and instead will have more time to visit with your family.





The day of make your turkey and your dressing early get in the oven at a point where it will be done 1/2 hour to 45 minutes prior to serving dinner. during the time after the turkey is out of the oven make our gravy and bake your rolls.





dinners ready!
Tip #1 - Use a Reynolds Oven Cooking Bag to cook the Turkey. It makes them so tender %26amp; also cooks in less time.





Tip #2 - make sure to make the Green bean casserole that is from Campbells Mushroom soup. Soooo easy!





There you go.. Happy Thanksgiving!