My wife is freaking about all the prep for Thanksgiving.   Why cant we just order pizza?
926892
pizza?  are you serious?  now, chinese - that's a much better thnxgiving meal...
789825
We have both turkey and ham because my mom hates turkey. ALSO we have :\n\nHome made Crescent rolls, Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Creamed Corn, Scalloped Potatoes, Cranberry Dressing, Fruit Salad, Devilled Eggs, Vegetable, Fruit & Relish Trays, etc. I KNOW I'm forgetting something. Sorry. \n\nFor dessert, we have Pumpkin pie, Sweet Potato Pie, French Silk Pie, Triple Berry Pie, and Apple Pie. These are all home baked not store kind. \n\nFor snacking, there are pumpkin bars & Chex Party Mix. \n\nI LOVE baked macaroni & cheese but can't fit it in the oven with all the other stuff in there or I would make that, too!\n\n Happy thanksgiving!!
916281
My mother-in-law told my husband and I she was not doing Thanksgiving or Christmas this year because of money, because her diabetes is getting worse and because she is tired of her son eating and running.  She does not take into account that her son works at night and has to sleep during the day.  She fixes the meal according to her schedule only.  Since she told us she wasn't cooking, we made our own pans to invite my brother over, as he has no other family in the area except us.  My husband told his mother when she asked later if we ever made other plans.  He told her and she got ill.  She went off on him because her, her husband, and her mother  weren't invited over.  He tried to explain that the seating just isn't there and she said we'd have to make our own plans.  Now she is doing nothing but laying guilt trips on him and it's working...to a point.  She will never change.  Part of it is because she is selfish and needy, though perfectly capable.  She is also jealous because he doesn't spend as much time kissing her butt.   \n\nYou are not alone.  It will either blow over or it won't.  You and your husband need to come up with a plan for the holidays.  The one you have sounds like a good one.  Either alternate holidays each year at her house and your mother's, or do Thanksgiving at your mom's/Christmas at his mom's this year.  Next year swap out.
922248
I'll get up at the crack of dawn and put the turkey and dressing in. I'll make the side dishes, with the potatoes being last. I'll set the table, then serve. I'm expecting my daughter, her new husband, his daughter, my best friends Gene and Marie, my g/f's son and her daughter, new husband and new baby(but she has to work), and probably 3-4 of my ex husband's (who now lives in florida) single middle ages friends who no family and no where else to go. Its simply a normal Thanksgiving for me.
803859
My sister in law didn't show up after saying she would come.  My brother walked in the door without her.  She didn't come because I didn't invite her son from her first marriage his wife and their child (6  years old) and his wife's son from a first marriage (16 years old) and her daughter from that first marriage (18) and that girls boyfriend that she is shacked up with.  I was already cooking for 9 people and my husband is not with me this Thanksgiving because he is overseas.  (He is the big cook in the family)  I didn't feel I could cook for more than 9 people and still keep my sanity.  That was the drama this year.
962053
Contact the local food banks in your area They are in the phone books  Although today might be late for a Thanksgiving give, unless you personally know a sruggling family who will appreciate your gift
953507
I've never seen anyone tell their family they have to pay to go to a family dinner. Its supposed to be a festive time. We have in the past divided what we were having and had people make different things or bring other items like drinks. \nIf I were you, I'd call your aunt and ask her if she'd rather you help make something rather than pay to go to dinner. Either that or provide a receipt to show you that she actually spent the money because I would feel uncomfortable going if she was just trying to make a profit off of her family... like charging for her labor and rental of her house.
233668
Oh my, what a delima.  Next time you see her why not suggest you bring lunch?  That way whe won't have ot make anything, and you'll be sure to get something besides sauerkraut.
707896
Maybe you should consider telling her that she needs to take a break in the kitchen, she deserves it. And let you do some of the cooking. You shouldn't come out and bluntly say,"your cooking is horrible!" but nicely tell her the things she can do to make a certain dish taste better. Like,"baby next time use less/more salt" or "I don't think it should've stayed in the oven that long" or you should never put ____ when you are making ___ because it will taste better without it. etc. You catch my drift? Be nice about it. Theres always a nicer way of saying anything to anyone. You can even tell her that it would be nice if the both of you work on something together and while you two are doing that you can give her some pointers. :)
825095
I'm hosting too.  Here's a list of what will be on the menu:\n\nTurkey\nStuffing\nMashed Potatoes\nGravy\nRolls\nCorn\nMy wife's famous baked broccoli/cauliflower casserole\nCandied yams (sweet potatoes)\nCranberry sauce\nPumpkin pie\nApple pie\n\nOK, so it's very traditional and pretty boring, but hey...it only comes once a year and my family likes the traditional dinner, so it works for us
1018217
Try getting a sampler plate of traditional greek and turkish food (both are fairly similar with key differences)  Ask the resteraunt if you can order a little of everything.  They should be able to cut you a deal.  Particularly cool if you want to do it in traditional greek style and rather then have it plated for you you have it all laid in serving dishes on the table and pass it around thanksgiving style.  This encourages communication and socialization in a time that, in American tradition, is normally kinda quiet.
799949
You've got it.  Traditional is turkey, stuffing, mashed taters, gravy, Green bean casserole, corn, sweet potatoes, rolls or bread and maybe a few different types of salad, maybe some cranberry and ham depending on how many you'll be having.  We have almost 20 so we do turkey and ham.\nI also make an apple carmel pie and we have pumpkin pie too of course.\nIt's a big day of eating.  We gather a couple of hours before dinner, some are cooking the gravy and taters but while we do this we have chips and dip, deviled eggs, veggie and fruit trays and we just start grazing.\nGood Luck and don't stress.  How about calling some of the people who are coming and asking them to do the casserole and yams and maybe have someone bring the ham.  It will be hard for you to do it all in one oven.
329514
It is a simple courtesy to bring a salad or buns or other dish when invited to dinner.  Also to offer to help.  I experienced the same thing with my inlaws.  Five grown children refused to help their mom with dinner or dishes, and it was always and only me the daughterinlaw who helped with cooking and did the dishes, at all Family gatherings for 30 years.  Yes I was pissed but now she is dead and I am glad that I was the one to help her.  The lazy children were sorry and cried and moaned and carried on but I held my head up high and had no negative feelings because I did my very best.    You should continue to be helpful, but don't think you have to do it all or contribute $ just because your mom wants to.
366733
it all depends on what kind of kiss it was and to whom it was too. And on how much you can trust your partner. And what kind of relationship you and your partner are in.  There's always 3 sides to the story, YOURS, MINE, and the TRUTH. You can read the menu but you eat at home.SO that means there will be  no ordering not even an appetizers.
706313
Only the desserts.  There is nothing worst  than reheated stuff for the big day.   It would be like leftovers for  Thanksgiving.  You'll do  fine if  you can line up some help for Thanksgiving to help you with the side dishes.  I agree with the poster that gravy and rolls should  be done shortly before the meals is served.  The only thing that I do ahead of time is season the Turkey  and chop the onions and celery for the stuffing/dressing.
400774
Keep trying. You're doing well. Effort is the most important part.\n\nYou should cook him whatever is his favorite. I love pizza and would love if someone made me homemade pizza!!\n\nGo for it!
1164147
I think this is really sweet what you want to do! I don't have any good recipes but I can tell you to go to Food Network.com and they have all kinds of recipes that I bet will impress him! Just the fact that you are wanting to take the time to do something for him, for Father's day, is a wonderful thing for you, him and your marriage!!! I would say also, don't know how old or young the kids are, but why not get them involved in helping to get ready for dinner, etc? Make it a family time, a family day! That's what it's all about and if you ask me, we all make ourselves so busy nowadays that we don't take the time!!! Good luck! Hope all goes well!