[SMayberryScott]

I just found out I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time ever for my husband's entire immediate family. I don't have children yet, so in my small 3 bedroom home (where I only have a dinning room table with 4 chairs), I am hosting 9 adults, two children, one baby, and five dogs. I am already starting to freak out. They all come from out of town, so all will be staying with us. So I need not only Thanksgiving foods, but stuff for breakfasts and potentially other meals.
For holiday veterans--when do I need to start picking up items for that weekend? Are the good sales early or usually the week of Thanksgiving? I don't want to wait too late and miss good deals. I don't have the monetary means to blow it all out on one dinner. Any advice or suggestions would be great in planning my shopping trips over the next month!

[soik2000]

I don't have any advise just wanted to say wow, you are a great wife. That is a lot to ask of you to have everyone including dogs stay with you. Your hubby will owe you some coupon shopping time after that Good luck!

[brook6]

don't panic!

first count up the 'meals' you need to serve and start thinking of what you have on hand and what you need...if you have a plan, you can work it over the next 3-4 weeks and be well ready when they get here

also, if you plan on a big sit down dinner...start asking neighbors if they have card tables/chairs you can borrow

also, keep an eye out for blow-up mattresses and make sure all your spare comforters/sheets/pillows are ready to go

[brook6]

as for food...
- if you have to feed them Wed, you want to prepare something that is likely to be eaten completely or leftovers can go with Thanksgiving or be put in the freezer...need fridge space for turkey day fixins
- I have 4 boys [= not much help with cooking], so I buy all my desserts...too much to cook everything and bake...you may have to make some tradeoffs
- my family has some traditions, so the menu is MOSTLY set, but I always try to find 1-2 new recipes to try and include much variety

my giblet gravy is the star of the show, so I make a LOT and make extra things for them to put it on...they actually will eat it alone, like chunky soup!

there will be sales on the traditional items and you can get turkey and fixins at good prices if you watch the sales and shop around

you will have great memories, if you don't let this overwhelm you...they basically want to spend the time with you...the food is only the backdrop

[bobojay]

Anything that you can prepare a couple days in advance do it. Cutting up vegs or baking pies or bread. Anything so you arent doing it all that day, then you will be able to sit and visit and enjoy everyone too. Maybe even get the table set up the day/night before. Get tablecloths on, dishes out and set up, glasses ready. Just anything in advance to help you be ready Thanksgiving day. Do you work? Can you get the day before Thanksgiving off? Make sure you have plenty of ice or get a bag or two and have it in the freezer. Consider using paper plates, napkins and tableware to make clean up easier. I cant believe I just said that, we always ate on my Moms china, but the last several years we have had GOOD paper plates and in the end, it didnt matter. It is being able to see everyone and visit. It isnt about what dishes we ate on.

[bobojay]

YES, just read a post above. Clean out your fridge the weekend before, you will need all the room you can get. And I always felt like I cheated if I bought anything premade, not anymore. It is a tradition now for me to bring French Silk pies from a local restaurant. A little on the expensive side, but easy on me and everyone loves them.

[jaybeza]

I just want to say you are amazing for doing this, and I think you all are going to have a great time!! One thing to remember is, you don't have to do everything by yourself. It is so much more fun in the kitchen when everyone is working together! It's great bonding time for the girls, and guests usually feel more "at home" if they can jump in and help you too! Maybe even plan ahead as to what jobs you can delegate....tossing a salad, mashing the potatoes, setting the tables, pouring the drinks, even making an extra pie or two can be done quickly by good team work! Laugh a lot!! Share memories, and try not to let the "perfection monster" get ya! It will be perfect just because you are sharing the holiday with people you love!

[sspunk]

1) Give them all paper plates & cups & napkins and tell them to find a spot on the floor
2) Give them blankets and repeat the above
3) When it's all over, tell them "Ya'll Come Back Now, Hear ?"

Bet ya never have to go through that again !

Enjoy the holiday

Steve

[oldsgt24]

I also wil be planning a holiday christmas dinner for my relatives. This is a last ditch effort to show how to care for each other withou hate. Ihave been buying things at kroger that are on sale. try turkey bacon les fat and more slices. Waffles it is a team effort and family fun. Eggs get a few dozen, but no more than two per person. Go to Walmart get the gallon of Mrs. Butterworth. lunch could be chunky soup with sandwiches. Got to Aldi's the soup is cheap someone will alway take you out once. Get Kroger cheap turkey, Mrs. Smith Pie have coupons. Everyone has cakemix on sale. Try not to spend over 75 for dinner. Good luck.

[my3COsons]

One thing we always do is ask everyone, yes even our out of town guests that stay with us to please make their favorite dish. My father in law loves oyster stuffing so he always makes that, my mom always makes a special carrot dish. I do the shopping and have everything ready for them to start cooking. It works out great, helps everyone feel involved and in the end everyone loves being in the kitchen. Those who don’t cook are on clean up. We also always go out to dinner the night before so we’re not cooking. Enjoy the memories.

[couponclipper]

I'm also having my inlaws of 25 guests for Thanksgiving at my place this year. All I can add to this is to start buying all your nonperishables as they go on sale every week too. I truly appreciate everyones comment which helps me out too like Smayberryscott.

[kberide]

Write it all done on paper, then you wouldn't have to remember, you'll be stressed.
I'd start gathering NOW, to spread out the costs over the next few weeks.

I agree, make things ahead! I had 13 adults one year, for a week! I made coffee cakes ahead(about a month) and froze them- one for every other day. Those egg casseroles can be made the night before and can be baked while you shower. Sweet bread, like banana or pumpkin are nice at breakfast and can be made ahead and froze. Use pre-made "whatever you can" like gravy, crescents in a can, cranberry in a can(cheap). Marie Callendar's Apple Crumb pie fools everyone it's delicious, they should be going on sale. For a no-worry turkey, use a roasting bag, it will also cut down on time, need that oven for other things! (One year, I made the turkey the day before, de-boned it, and warmed it up the next day, it was fine, I drizzled broth over it when I warmed it). You can make the dressing the night before in a separate pan and refrigerate. Sweet potato casserole can be made the week before and froze. If your having kids, make cookies or a cake a couple of days early,(cake is cheap, you can decorate with candy corn) you'll be surprised how many adults will eat that too. Jello salad is cheap too, if you keep out the nuts. To fill up the table cheap, have a relish dish, different kinds of pickles. My DH loves applesauce, get store brand and add red hot candies! If their going to be there Wed. or earlier, get all the women to help! Feel them out, and find the one that likes to wash dishes(some women ACTUALLY like to do dishes), and so on, for the inept, let them roll out the crescents or tear the salad. Potatoes can be peeled the night before if you cover them with water. When it's cold outside, use the deck as an extra refrigerator for drinks(maybe you could ask them to all bring drinks?), sweet tea is cheaper than soda. I think the hardest part of the dinner is scheduling the oven, you want everything hot. Most all dinner items will be going on sale a week or two before Thanksgiving, start saving the coupons!

I made my first dinner all from scratch, even the rolls, no one really appreciated it for all the work, I even heard some complaints of how terrible it was to have so much food! (I thought it was "Thanksgiving") So now, I go quick and easy. I save my time for my own family. Then I get to watch football!

As far as feeding after Thanksgiving use the leftovers, till you hear complaining in the background! Throw in a chili night, chili is cheap to make and easy! If everyone goes out to shop, let them eat out while their at it.

[kristananne]

I saw on a blog that Kroger in the TX/LA region is having a mega sale starting 10/28.

Betty Crocker potato pouches are going to be $0.50 and there are $0.40/1 Qs available on the Betty Crocker site, as well as $0.40/1 loadable on Shortcuts. Our Kroger doubles up to $0.50 on the paper Q, so those will be free. Start collecting those printables for your mashed potatoes!

Land o Lakes butter tubs will be $0.99 and there are $0.40/1 Qs from the inserts, which will double.

Bumble Bee Tuna pouches will be $0.50 and there are $1/1 printables on Smartsource and there are $0.55/1 Qs from the inserts. Those would be free. Good for lunch in sandwiches or dinner in a casserole, if you're hosting the relatives the night before.

For breakfast, I recommend a breakfast casserole. Trying to get eggs or pancakes cooked for so many people at one time can end up a disaster if you're not super organized and careful. Even better, if you have a slow cooker, search online for overnight breakfasts in using it. I've heard lots of great things about slow cooker breakfasts, but I haven't tried any yet, so I have no recipes to offer.

Good luck!

[brook6]

...now this is what I call 'man brain'

Originally Posted by sspunk

1) Give them all paper plates & cups & napkins and tell them to find a spot on the floor
2) Give them blankets and repeat the above
3) When it's all over, tell them "Ya'll Come Back Now, Hear ?"

Bet ya never have to go through that again !

Enjoy the holiday

Steve

[leeng]

Good Luck i hate a lot of company of any kind especially in laws thats always looking around and waiting for a hand out cause u have been nice to them a few times with some of the extra stuff you have....hope mine stay home this Thanksgiving and Christmas.....

[SMayberryScott]

Originally Posted by brook6

...now this is what I call 'man brain'

Ha ha ha--too funny!!


Thank you everyone for some really great ideas!! I was laughing out loud at some of them and my DH was asking me what I was laughing at! I am taking notes and trying to get organized. Trying not to panic and really listen to everyone who said, don't try to be perfect! I appreciate all the advice and support!

[SMayberryScott]

Originally Posted by bobojay

Do you work? Can you get the day before Thanksgiving off?

I do work full time, but I am a college professor and have that entire week off for fall break. I know what I will be doing with my time!

[freegroceries4me]

If your visitors are driving (instead of flying) tell them to bring ice chests, blow up mattresses (if they have them), pillows and blankets - if you are worried about that. Sleeping bags for the kids.
We have done Thanksgiving three times and every time our families ask what they can bring. Don't be a hero - give them something to bring and jobs to do. My MIL and SIL do the dishes - it kills them not to be able to help - so I say go for it! Tell your husband he and the guys are in charge of the garbage.
I agree with another poster - my biggest problem is OVEN SPACE. So my biggest thing is scheduling time in the oven for each dish.
We have invested in a turkey roaster and last year we deep fried a turkey, too. It was delicious and moist- but keep the kids far away. This is also a great task for the guys to take on.
I make a lot of things in advance and my fridge is stuffed with dishes waiting to go into the oven -that is why I say have them bring ice chests - you'll need room for the drinks that won't fit in the fridge.
As for the other meals- Eggs are cheap and you can always find deals on Pillsbury biscuits. A couple of loaves of bread and eggs make a batch of french toast.
And when the leftovers get old, pull out your pizza coupons.
If you have never made a turkey before, you might buy one and do a test run. That is the scariest part to me.
Good luck!

[couponclipper]

Thanks freegroceries4me! My inlaws will come for dinner but doesn't always offer to bring or do anything at the house for me...as I run around like a chicken with no head on. This year I was very surprised one of my sister inlaws offered to bring desserts. She is bring lots of different pies...that really surprised me.
I guess since some of the adult members like to chat & eat...I guess I need to assign them things to help out at the house...huh? How do you ask the older teenager girls to do something instead of them ...just sitting around watching me go by. Any advice?
I'm not really that close with them but i feel they should help out too. Maybe its me... but my Mom raised me to offer help in he kitchen whenever you got invited for dinner.

[brook6]

plenty of jobs for teens that don't know how to cook...
- set the table
- butter rolls
- arrange a veggie platter
- cut veggies
- peel potatoes
- get the drinks ready/ice in glasses
- help watch/play with the younger ones
- get the younger ones hands washed for dinner...NOT in the kitchen
- load dishwasher

Originally Posted by couponclipper

Thanks freegroceries4me! My inlaws will come for dinner but doesn't always offer to bring or do anything at the house for me...as I run around like a chicken with no head on. This year I was very surprised one of my sister inlaws offered to bring desserts. She is bring lots of different pies...that really surprised me.
I guess since some of the adult members like to chat & eat...I guess I need to assign them things to help out at the house...huh? How do you ask the older teenager girls to do something instead of them ...just sitting around watching me go by. Any advice?
I'm not really that close with them but i feel they should help out too. Maybe its me... but my Mom raised me to offer help in he kitchen whenever you got invited for dinner.

[SMayberryScott]

Originally Posted by freegroceries4me

I
We have invested in a turkey roaster and last year we deep fried a turkey, too. It was delicious and moist- but keep the kids far away. This is also a great task for the guys to take on.
Good luck!

Thank you! We have a smoker, so I think my husband is going to smoke a turkey, and that will free up oven space and, like you said, give the guys something to do. That will be outside as well, so that will get the guys out of the way between football games. Thanks for the advice!

[SMayberryScott]

Originally Posted by couponclipper

I'm not really that close with them but i feel they should help out too. Maybe its me... but my Mom raised me to offer help in he kitchen whenever you got invited for dinner.

No, I agree. I was taught to never show up empty handed and to always help out. It's just good manners!

[lds1278]

Originally Posted by sspunk

1) Give them all paper plates & cups & napkins and tell them to find a spot on the floor
2) Give them blankets and repeat the above
3) When it's all over, tell them "Ya'll Come Back Now, Hear ?"

Bet ya never have to go through that again !

Enjoy the holiday

Steve

[artsysaver]

I know that this is not the most money saving technique, but it was time saving and sanity saving. I've never hosted Thanksgiving before either. Usually we go somewhere & I take a dish or two to share. Well this past year, we stayed home (6 of us - 2 adults, 1 teen that eats like an adult, & 3 other kids). We bought the Kroger Thanksgiving Dinner & I picked it up the day before at Kroger. It included a fully-cooked turkey that you heat in the oven & maybe brown a bit more, mashed potatoes, stuffing (both microwavable), dinner rolls, gravy & pumpkin OR apple pie. I think that was it; I'm going on memory.

It cost me $40.00.

I added cranberry sauce, salad & sweet potatoes & extra gravy. It easily fed us and we had leftovers for the next 2 nights. Clean up was a breeze. We actually had a very nice walk in a local park.

It was the easiest Thanksgiving ever. I love to cook, but didn't want to be in the kitchen all day. I have to say (my husband agrees) that it was the juiciest, best tasting turkey we've had to date (21+ years worth of Thanksgiving dinners together).

For your size group, I might buy several & then add in a few dishes. Keep it simple. As for breakfasts - I would have a lot of self-serve things. Maybe bake & freeze ahead of time?

[SMayberryScott]

Originally Posted by artsysaver

I know that this is not the most money saving technique, but it was time saving and sanity saving. I've never hosted Thanksgiving before either. Usually we go somewhere & I take a dish or two to share. Well this past year, we stayed home (6 of us - 2 adults, 1 teen that eats like an adult, & 3 other kids). We bought the Kroger Thanksgiving Dinner & I picked it up the day before at Kroger. It included a fully-cooked turkey that you heat in the oven & maybe brown a bit more, mashed potatoes, stuffing (both microwavable), dinner rolls, gravy & pumpkin OR apple pie. I think that was it; I'm going on memory.

I did not even know they did that! Not a bad idea. Thanks!