Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you planning on taking on the challenge of Thanksgiving Dinner this year? If so here are some of the things I have done over 35 years, to make it go smoothly.

1. Decide who you are inviting and how many you can sit comfortably, whether it be your spouses family, your
family, or a group of friends.

2. Send out invites with Respond by said date (most people make plans at least 2 to 3 months in advance
so a phone call to invite is good but then follow up with the proper invite 1 month before).

On the invite should be:

You are Invited to join the Smith Family - Jim & Mary for Thanksgiving Dinner

Date: Thursday, November 22
Time: Sit down dinner at 12 Noon
Place: 1733 Hilltop Road
Cedar Grove, WI

Please Rsvp by November 15th to:
920-652-7979 or email at JMSmithfamily@yahoo.com.

You can purchase Thanksgiving Invitations or get them online free at http://www.ecard4all.com/, or you can make your own invitation with your print shop and mail them out.

3. Make out menu

I like to keep my menu fairly simple. The more fancy recipes, the longer it will take you to prepare. Let the family or friends bring a fancy dish if they would like to.

Turkey (how many pounds per how many guests - which they usually say 1 1/2 sandwiches per person)
dressing, with celery, onion, dried bread, or dressing that comes in bags or boxes, our favorite is sage & onion

butter
dinner rolls
vegetable such as carrots, green bean casserole
mashed potatoes
dessert - pumpkin pie, apple pie, pumpkin torte, cake, ice cream, etc.
Jello with fruit
cranberries
some people like to have cole slaw
cold pasta salad with either tuna, fake crab, or shrimp
vegetable platter
dip for vegetables
coffee
milk
soda
tea
cool whip or whip cream

Get your recipes out to make sure you get all the ingredients you need to prepare your dishes and desserts.

4. Make a list of dishes guests may bring if they wish
such as dessert, Jello, buns, snacks for later (chips & dip, pretzels,
etc.)

5. Make out grocery list