How would I host a Thanksgiving?

15 comments

1. yeah make a turkey, some kind of potato dish, stuffing (if your partner likes stuffing), pumpkin pie. I guess in an ideal world you should cook all of it but it sounds like you’re doing something very sweet so I doubt it would go wrong if you ordered some of it lol.

   there are a lot of (American) football games broadcast on Thanksgiving but if your partner doesn’t care about that then no reason to have it on the TV. But if they like the NFL, put those games on.

2. Turkey, mashed potatoes, maybe some stuffing and cranberry sauce, or a green bean casserole. Pie for dessert. Maybe play some NFL on TV if that works for the time difference, or maybe A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

   Good luck, and I think it’s super nice for you to do this!

3. A lot of people watch the Macy’s Parade on Thanksgiving morning. I’m not sure what time it would be streaming where you are, but if it’s when y’all are awake, it would be fun to have that on in the background.

   Many families eat the big meal in the afternoon rather than evening to allow for naps and slow snacking on leftovers throughout the rest of the day. If you can slyly find out when your partner is used to eating that could help make the mood more familiar.

   Some people consider Thanksgiving the beginning of Xmas carol season, but there aren’t really any Thanksgiving songs.

4. Thanksgiving is all about the food! Don’t cook a whole turkey for 2 people… I’m not sure what’s available in Asia, but small families here will often buy just a turkey breast or a portion of a ham to cook.

   Traditional sides: mashed potatoes and gravy. Green bean casserole with crispy fried onions on top. Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top. Cranberry sauce (either from scratch or from a jar). Dinner rolls and butter. Stuffing.

   Traditional desserts: pumpkin pie. Pecan pie.

5. >Am I expected to cook all of it? Can I buy some of it?

   Either is fine

   >Is there Thanksgiving music I have to play?

   The closest thing we have to traditional Thanksgiving music is [Alice’s Restaurant Massacree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Restaurant#Developing_tradition)

   >Movies?

   A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is a classic

   >Games?

   Whatever you want. Some people play football.

6. Usually you make the food but really, you can buy it. The sentiment is still there. I don’t know if any music or games that are strictly thanksgiving related, my family always watched Charlie Brown and football though.

   Just ask what food they typically ate. Everyone will have different traditional favorites.

7. When we did by ourselves Thanksgiving in 2020 we kept it to a few basics. I actually made turkey pot pie from a turkey breast. We’re also had mashed potatoes with gravy, and stuffing which are our favorite sides. Along with cornbread. Pies are one of my favorite features of Thanksgiving, I made pumpkin. Green bean casserole is always at the bigger holiday dinners I go to.

   My dad would also cook Filipino food and we’d have both for big holiday meals. Eating your favorite foods would be encouraged, not just the classics.

   You just visited with each other and eat and enjoy yourselves.

8. I’m sure the simple fact that you’re planning and executing a meal and gathering to mark the occasion will mean a lot to him. It is becoming increasingly popular in America to buy fully prepared or ready-to-heat meals or even go to a restaurant on Thanksgiving. Movies, games, watching sports or simply relaxing are all acceptable activities. No need for stress.

9. It’s all about being thankful for your loved ones so you’re already on the right track. Add some turkey, pie and football playing in the background and you are good to go.

10. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatos (with butter) and cranberry sauce, also usually some kind of booze, wine or, cider, mead works too if they have it near you and you want a special evening (assuming you drink, it’s not a requirement)

11. Don’t stress. Lots of people do the turkey, stuffing, and sides spread.

    I grew up with an Arab family and we celebrated the holiday feast but we did it our way. Koosa, kibeh, a cucumber and yogurt salad, fattoush, a turkey and a rice based stuffing.

    I guess the point I’m trying to make is to have the dishes that you know and love. Because at the end of the day the people gathered around the table are more important than the food on the table.

12. For many years I made the Thanksgiving dinner myself for my family, mid twenties until I got married and had a baby. It’s really not that hard! Do the Turkey in the morning, nice and simple with just butter under the skin and herbs ontop. The sides can actually be done the day before and heated up in the oven…sweet potatoes, stuffing, maybe green beans…I like turnips but you’ll find every family does their own thing. The gravy can be homemade but I’ve found the gravy in jars is fine, I’ll usually get that even if I make my own gravy as a backup.

    There is always a debate in regards to the proper cranberry sauce; I come from a “canned cranberry sauce” family, it plops out and it goes on a plate with visible can marks. There are other families that prefer actual cranberry sauce with seeds and natural nonsense and such.

    Stuffing is also up for variations but a basic stuffing with ground beef and maybe some celery in there can’t go wrong.

    We always watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning on TV.

13. Are they into nostalgia? The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC is a big thing on Thanksgiving!

14. You’ll be fine with the basics of a British Christmas dinner, minus the Christmas pudding. Pumpkin pie is the traditional dessert, but many prefer apple or berry pie; we often have pecan pie. Dessert is probably the easiest thing to buy, or ask a guest to bring.

15. It’s really nothing to get stressed about. Turkey, potatoes, bread, veggie side, and a dessert. There ya go! I do more than that, but that’s the basics.

    I’d avoid green bean casserole – it’s awful & I think people like it due to nostalgia…and nothing else. Lol

    You can totally buy whatever makes it easy on you. No shame in it at all! It’s all about relaxing and gorging on food. 😂

    Required thanksgiving viewing in my house is Planes, Trains & Automobiles. 😂 We’ve watched it every year since I was a kid.