# A few Thanksgiving tips revisied
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 22, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598 "2010-11-22T23:37:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/1 "2010-11-22T23:37:04Z")
Couple Thanksgiving Tips. I post every year with the standard anual edits for this year. I have been a professional cook for about 20 years. I own a restaurant and I have hosted Thanksgiving on a number of occasions. I rarely post about food and cooking on the boards but I decided that I would share a few tips on Thanksgiving day entertaining. It is a major event even fo skilled cooks Criticism is welcome as well as other tips!.
When your guests ask about what to bring do not forget about appetizers. This is very important. For one you can stil control The Dinner. Second you avoid guests asking to heat things up in your already over packed oven. And the apps arrive as the guests arrive. Perfect scenario and it takes the pressure of off the kitchen if in fact the turkey or whatever is taking a bit longer than expected.
1. Drinks are always an issue. Not that there are not enough but with 5 kinds of beer and wine and sodas egg nog all packed in your already packed fridge your workspace (kitchen) will have way to much traffic People all jammed in trying to get things and asking questions. and looking for cups and trash and all sorts of stuff. Have a drink table set up and some coolers. This will help immensely. Have a guest or two bring a cooler or a mini fridge or something. with ice and a small trash can nearby This will keep the kitchen traffic way down. Another thing guests can help witt
2. Let the guests help. 80% of the female guests will offer to help in some way or another. Have ready a few simple jobs. They want to help in order to do something and get socializing. Make it small and easy. Fill the ice cooler, put out some napkins whatever. Just simple and easy and something you already had planned out for a guest to help with. You really don’t want a bunch of people all rummaging about your kitchen and trust me even if you think you know how you want everything a gust offering to help will always do an astounding job. Better than you likely. Let them Polish silverware anyhjbg realy Don’t let it get out of hand but it makes them comfortable.
3. Be ready for spills. They will happen. Have a wet washcloth and some paper towels handy. Keep it by the drink table/area That is were they will happen. Something for the guest to do
4. Make several lists A guest list. On that you can put specific jobs for them. And items they can bring. A menu. Look at it often you will not forget anything that way. It is so sad to remember after Thanksgiving dinner when it is all over and the cranberry sauce or whatever is still in the fridge A list of ingredients And any other thing you need to keep track of Put them on the fridge and consult them often
5. Keep your kitchen clean. Stop every 30 min or so while preparing and do the dishes and sweep the floor. I do not care how far behind you are or what DO THIS.
6. Do not attempt to many new dishes. I suggest only one really if you can. Otherwise stick with what you know. It is super fun making new dishes and looking up recipes, but do not get carried away. For a major event. Just add one or two
7. Do not get over burdened with everything coming out at the same time. This is almost impossible with a full kitchen staff and several large ovens. Just wrap things with foil when it is ready and put it on the serving table . When the last item is ready uncover everything. It will be fine. The only thing that needs to be hot is gravy.
8. Do not over burden yourself with the turkey. Get a thermometer and take the birds temp. Of all the 1000’s or so recipes . A plane unseasonal bird chucked into a 375 degree oven till the thigh reads 155-65 carry over temp will take it the rest of the way will make a better bird than any newfangled, brined, fried, stuffed, whatever that got over or under cooked. Of course you can improve on this a bit with some seasoning, brining and your own style but just remember about temp.
9. Above all relax. This is a fun holiday. Make it a non stress as possible. Let people help but try and stay organized and know what you in fact need help with. Keep clean and remember It is just family and friends. They love you and all will be grand
Bonus.Tip, Make all your desserts the day ahead. And whatever else you can as well Just about everything will be OK made the day ahead. People are gonna overeat. Subtle nuances in the foods flavor and temp will go largely unrecognized. And the trade off is relaxation less stress and a more festive atmosphere.
Pro tip: Do not stay up late the night before. I do not care how far behind you are. Get some rest. go to sleep by 10 pm eat breakfast. Keep up with the dishes. You probably don’t have enough for dinner and desserts for all those people coming over. Toss them in the dish washer immediately. Do them fast so you don’t have to many people helping in the kitchen Have fun Really have fun
Added this year
If you want a salad have a guest bring it. They will do a marveius job. And salad fixings don’t really.cross over to other Thanksgiving dishs your shopping list larger than nessasry and over packs your fridge. Your are busy anyhow. They will make a better one than you. Plus a festve salad is Likely to cost more than the damn bird.
Make a place for pies and desserts ahead of time. Guests will likely bring them even if you ask them not to. I know your fridge and kitchen is brimming full. Clear off the top of your fridge today. Get rid of all that crap and make room for pie. Or have some other place ready.
Have a trashcan that is not under the sink. Leave one out by the drink table. Make that two a small box Do recycling. People will ask and you probally don’t wanna seem like an ass even though you don’t. Recycle. Just a small box for recyclebles. Guest job
How are you gonna serve all that stuff. After you one your menu see what platters you have. Borrow or have guests Bring them.
I have seen many times a team of two helpers that have never been in my kitchen before do all the dishes by hand faster than any home dishmachine could. Consider this.
Please have fun these are mentioned to allow for that. Allow guests to help just be organized. They are Likly avoiding conversation with somone. Just know what they can help with.
And don’t follow these guideline tips and ideas to a T. This is your holliday and all thanksgivings are fun and enjoyable.
Dissapeare and have a secret drink. You deserve it.
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### Author:  [@Bin-Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bin-Gay)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/2 "2010-11-23T00:28:38Z")
These are terrific tips for ANY big family and/or friends get together! I especially like the tip on having small jobs available for guests who offer. They clearly want to help and there’s an awkwardness to not having anything for them. I agree that doing a task encourages conversation.
Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving!
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### Author:  [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/3 "2010-11-23T01:48:15Z")
A couple things I’d add: plan your cooking and serving dishes ahead of time (i.e. Green beans in the blue casserole dish, potatoes in Grandma’s glass bowl, etc.) Also, if you have the opportunity to practice any new dishes, do. Finally, if you get time, print out your recipes (in an easy-to-read font) and put them in page protectors to avoid stains.
Otherwise, have fun & don’t overstress!
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### Author:  [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/4 "2010-11-23T14:00:35Z")
> [@fifty-six](#):
>
> Bonus.Tip, Make all your desserts the day ahead. And whatever else you can as well Just about everything will be OK made the day ahead. People are gonna overeat. Subtle nuances in the foods flavor and temp will go largely unrecognized.
This is my favorite!
Anyone know how to ensure made-ahead whipped potatoes aren’t dry and non-whip-cream-like? I made some stellar potatoes and warmed them up two days later and they didn’t hold together. What did I do wrong? They were loaded with milk and butter.
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### Author:  [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/5 "2010-11-23T14:09:22Z")
The starch will absorb more moisture as the potatoes are stored. So if you’re going to make them ahead of time, you need to make them wetter than if you were going to make them on the spot.
I advocate keeping one horizontal surface totally clear and sacrosanct like a shrine. Do not let anybody put stuff on it. You will need this space for your landing strip. **fifty-six** ’s tip about having a drinks table elsewhere in the house is great: Keep people from coming in the kitchen for drinks and ice. And another place for appetizers that is not in the kitchen. Put them on the piano, on the cat crate, on the toy box. Just minimize traffic.
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### Author:  [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/6 "2010-11-23T18:38:51Z")
You likely overheated the potatoes on the reheat. Lower temp and add more cream. Added fat will bring together most broken sauces that already contain fat. Cream is the wonderchild.
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### Author:  [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/7 "2010-11-23T18:58:24Z")
> [@fifty-six](#):
>
> 1. Keep your kitchen clean. Stop every 30 min or so while preparing and do the dishes and sweep the floor. I do not care how far behind you are or what DO THIS.
If every other tip was complete crap (and they’re not!), this would still make the thread worth reading.
A few years ago I sat down and took the first bite, and said “Why do we only do this once a year?” A little while later I stepped into the kitchen and said “Because of this.” I was glad to have three days off to clean up the carnage.
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/8 "2010-11-23T19:33:45Z")
I always find that I run out of room when serving stuff because all I have are a bunch of plates. I don’t have any tiered or raised dishes because I don’t want to buy them and have no place to store them. So all the plates of stuff just get laid next to each other on the table.
But I just read a tip in a magazine to simply use over-turned bowls or even glasses on which to stack your plates. Instant tiers and more room!!
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### Author:  [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/9 "2010-11-23T19:36:52Z")
> [@Indyellen](#):
>
> A couple things I’d add: plan your cooking and serving dishes ahead of time (i.e. Green beans in the blue casserole dish, potatoes in Grandma’s glass bowl, etc.)
This is a great addition to some already great tips. Nothing worse than having more than one dish mentally slated for the same serving dish.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/10 "2010-11-23T20:56:43Z")
I picked up a couple of large turkey wings and legs today. These will be roasted today and the drippings turned into gravy either today or tomorrow. The bones will be stripped and the meat refrigerated for extra meat servings, and the bones turned into stock for adding to oven-cooked stuffing and for gravy liquid. This saves a HUGE amount of work and frayed nerves on T-day.
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### Author:  [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/11 "2010-11-23T23:22:03Z")
Thanks **fifty-six** , I came in here to look for your annual thread. It’s becoming a Thanksgiving tradition with me!
Like **Chefguy** I’m buying some turkey wings to make the overflow dressing better, and will remember that tip of using cream to fix broken sauce.
Off to make the pastry for the pies . . .
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/12 "2010-11-24T01:55:47Z")
Here’s the best tip, if you have a turkey, whatever you do, don’t drop it out of a helicopter
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### Author:  [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/13 "2010-11-24T13:58:17Z")
Organization will set you free.
Write down the menu. All of it, down to the olives and pickles.
Get some post-its. Label your serving dishes with what’s going to be on them. Write the dish description on the menu as well. Stage the serving utensils with the dishes so there’s no last minute “Oh no! Where’s Grandma’s mashed potato spoon?”
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/14 "2010-11-24T16:21:11Z")
All great suggestions.
BTW, in case anyone is invited anywhere - as a **guest** - notice the huge implication:
STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!
Yes, I know during “regular” parties, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house, but on Thanksgiving, with lots of things going on, the last thing anyone needs is for you to be hanging out, sipping your drink and trying to chitchat about something while your host is trying to move around, concentrate and make sure everything is running smoothly.
So unless you are really needed to help out - go sit in the living room/den or wherever and waiting until everything is finished.
Oh, and guest to guest - ya know, maybe not everyone wants to watch that football game, so if you are going to hog the remote, at least ask before you turn the TV volume up to 9000 decibels.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/15 "2010-11-24T17:43:12Z")
> [@DMark](#):
>
> All great suggestions.
> BTW, in case anyone is invited anywhere - as a **guest** - notice the huge implication:
>
> STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!
>
> Yes, I know during “regular” parties, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house, but on Thanksgiving, with lots of things going on, the last thing anyone needs is for you to be hanging out, sipping your drink and trying to chitchat about something while your host is trying to move around, concentrate and make sure everything is running smoothly.
> So unless you are really needed to help out - go sit in the living room/den or wherever and waiting until everything is finished.
>
> Oh, and guest to guest - ya know, maybe not everyone wants to watch that football game, so if you are going to hog the remote, at least ask before you turn the TV volume up to 9000 decibels.
Happily, this house has a counter where we have placed stools for those who wish not to be carved along with the turkey.
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### Author:  [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/16 "2010-11-24T21:16:39Z")
Interesting responses this year looks like the world is in need of a How to be a guest guide. but intel then you are responsible for organizing them.
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### Author:  [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/17 "2010-11-24T21:28:25Z")
Some of the resons guests wanna help is because they don’t want to watch the football.game or get stuck figuring out why the Toy Story 3 DVD isn’t working for the kids or talking to someone they are board with. It makes them comfortable. Not everyone likes to just sit. It is not entirely about helpfulness. So as a host making people feel comfortable is your job. Give them shit to do. You will still get all the credit and they will be happy. Like I said before they will want to please you and likely do better than you have time to do.
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### Author:  [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/18 "2010-11-24T21:46:16Z")
Make sure to keep all pets out of the kitchen/serving area. The smells and bustling chaos are just tooo much for any pet to resist. Even my elderly bulldog wakes from her 40-hour naps to investigate the excitement every year. Too much danger with a dog or cat underfoot and too many opportunities for stolen foods that are not compatible with a dog or cat’s digestion.
Keep your bathrooms stocked with…umm… necessities. Plenty of soap, clean towels, lots of extra toilet paper, air freshener, and most importantly a plunger. No guest wants to have to trouble a host for any “issues” and no host wants to deal with any of that while they’re carefully orchestrating things in the kitchen.
If you’re a guest, never EVER assume that your host/hostess has room in her fridge for your 3-gallon tub of pasta salad, your gigantic trifle dessert that sits ever so precariously in a delicate glass bowl, or your wide and awkward plate of deviled eggs. Bring a cooler of some kind to store your contribution, the host will be EVER so grateful.
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### Author:  [@MareIt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MareIt)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/19 "2010-11-25T02:07:48Z")
As a guest, I LOVE being given something to do. I hate the feeling of being waited upon when I am not paying for the privilege, and even then, I hate it when I have to request things. \<-- My crazy
I went a family friend’s house for Tday and Christmas for almost 10 years. After several years, I never asked to help because I already knew my assignments. I was to fill the water glasses on the table and to make sure that the appetizers were making the rounds. It prevented me from getting stuck talking to the name-dropping cousin or listening to a high-level discussion on aviation policy. I then helped clear the table between dinner and dessert, that meant I didn’t have to sit outside with the cigar smokers or get involved in a discussion about why I was still single.
Did I mention I LOVE having tasks at other people’s shindigs?!
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### Author:  [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-thanksgiving-tips-revisied/561598/20 "2010-11-25T08:19:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Keep your bathrooms stocked with…umm… necessities. Plenty of soap, clean towels, lots of extra toilet paper, air freshener, and most importantly a plunger. No guest wants to have to trouble a host for any “issues” and no host wants to deal with any of that while they’re carefully orchestrating things in the kitchen.
Having some maxi and mini pads around is also a gracious touch, because Aunt Flo simply LOVES to visit at the most awkward times! And make sure that the trash bin is easily located, please.
Having some sort of OTC painkiller and antacid is also recommended.