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.
I’m a first-time host – eeks! My MiL, who has uppity tastes and who, by the way, is from your neck of the woods (Larchmont), will be the primary intimidating guest. I’ll need all the help I can get.
Guest — I would love to send a copy to the host, my mother-in-law. Thanks!
My first Thanksgiving with the in-laws, I took my favorite recipe from my mom’s Thanksgiving – her sweet potato casserole. It helped me feel more at home to have one of my favorites at the table and helped endear me to the host. Thanksgiving will be with my family this year, but I think the in-laws are making the casserole anyway. 🙂
I am a guest. My wife is the chef. My tip is to make sure you are available to help in any way so the cook is happy and can enjoy the day.
I am a guest. My step-mother, the master, prepares the scrumptious meal.
I’m a GUEST who bakes great pies. Thank you for sticking with tradition….and allowing traditions to develop, too.
#guest. My husband’s parents are hosting the last Thanksgiving in the house he and his 5 siblings grew up in (he is 40 and the youngest)! I think it will be very special. We all pitch in with sides. My tip for Thanksgiving is use a site like Evite to organize the menu. The email storm is too annoying!
This year, I am a #guest….at three different Thanksgivings. My parents are recently divorced, so I’m splitting time between my dad (who can’t cook – this book would be great for him!), my mom (who already has all her classics ready to go) and my boyfriend’s family (where I’ll be bringing some delicious smitten kitchen apple pie – the best!).
My tip – lots of wine!
When you only have one tiny oven, consider bbq’ing your turkey! It will save you and takes a huge level of stress out of the already bustling kitchen! #Guest
#host this year. We have a few dishes that MUST be on the table and then I always play with a few new ones, depending on how many people are coming. My main tip though is to not overdo the appetizers! Make sure there’s plenty of appetite left for dinner.
It’s a group effort! Someone takes the bird, and everyone else has their favorite sides, so no one person is overwhelmed 🙂
I’m neither! We are only cooking for ourselves this year (just me, husband and the kids) and I can’t WAIT. First year in many where I haven’t hosted. In lieu of guests we are going to see the floats being blown up in NYC on turkey day eve, and then having friends over for the weekend.
My tip: before digging in, don’t forget to go around the table and say what you’re most thankful for this year.
I’m a #guest this year. But next year I’m going to be the host for the first time ever, so for the whole month of November, I’m practicing Thanksgiving classics (did pumpkin pie last night, doing mashed potatoes next).
#guest this year…and spending Thanksgiving with my boyfriends family for the first time! I have promised to bring a veg side and a dessert and am stumped on trying to pick the perfect recipes! I dont want to bring a sad, soggy casserole and be remembered forever for it….
I am the host, and my tip is don’t mess with the traditional dishes, even if they don’t taste all that great and the only reason they show up each year is because they are “tradition”. You will get boycotts from the family members. That said, I always try and add one or two new items to the menu, and the Holiday entertaining book from Gourmet and Bon Appetit that you recommeded last Friday has lots of post it notes already sticking out of it!
Usually the guest, but wouldn’t mind being the host, if I’m honest. I second all people who said “clean as you go!” In fact, that’s my all-time favorite tip for cooking any meal. Just wish my husband agreed.
#guest but will definitely need to bring something.
Im the host/guest. we are having thanksgiving at my mom’s house, but I help so much and would love a great book to perk up our menu!!!
#Host. I would LOVE this book.
My tip is to not tell anyone what creative new dishes you want to add into the mix. It will only create pre-holiday anxiety. It is much better to plan the menu as usual . Then, on the day of, surprise everyone with that one new dish or a new spin on an old reliable that you just “happened to whip up”. This could be mashed turnips or mashed cauliflower instead or in addition to the standard mashed potatoes. I often make vegan desserts (I am vegetarian but no one else in my family is) without telling anyone that they are vegan. If they don’t know, they are more likely to dig in!
Happy Thanksgiving! I cannot wait!
I am the host this year and my tip is to bake rolls ahead of time and freeze!!
I have hosted many Thanksgiving dinners and to me the best tips are to do ahead as much as you can, don’t be afraid to ask for help and relax. OH! And football should always be on the TV! 🙂
Hosting for the first time…and I’m 7 months pregnant! We’ll see how this goes:)
Just be with the people you love and it will be the best day ever even if you burn the turkey
#guest, at my parent’s house, but I will be doing most of the cooking…
We’re hosting my parents for the first time ever. The menu includes a cider-brined turkey that was awesome last year and my mom’s delicious dressing. Everything else is still to be determined. In addition to all the wonderful tips above, I’ll add: have a drink!