I need your help friends!!

**Rebookie** · 10-19-2009, 05:51 PM

I am fiddling with the idea of having a Thanksgiving dinner party for friends in early NOV. I've never given a party for over 10 people. I am thinking around 15-20 people.. I would like to have a buffet spread.. Kind of casual with fun cocktails (I know not frugal).. I would like some tips from you professional party givers!! What could I do to ensure a fun and stress free thanksgiving dinner for friends.

All tips and recipes welcome and apprciated!

<3

**NewLeaf** · 10-19-2009, 06:38 PM

Consider pot luck if you are on a strict budget. You can assign certain categories - side dish, salad or dessert.

If you don't want to do that then I would definately go with a buffet style dinner. And keep it simple.

Are you planning on a traditional turkey dinner? You could do finger foods & dessert.....

**Edna_E** · 10-19-2009, 07:44 PM

I'd stick with buffet, probably have turkey already sliced, dressing, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, a veggie (green beans seem awfully popular), and rolls/bread with butter. Then I'd have an assortment of desserts - I'd probably have them already cut into small servings (so people don't feel too guilty about sampling more than one). If you have access to chafing dishes, they are nice, but if you don't then remember that you can keep things warm in the oven for a while and can wrap covered dishes in thick bath towels and it will also keep them warm. I personally always have more trouble with gravy than anything else. Mostly, remember that the purpose is to have fun - if you are comfortable, everyone else is likely to be also. Have fun! You could even do somthing off beat like have PB&J sandwiches cut into turkeys with a cookie cutter instead of doing the traditional turkey - and then take off and run with the joke.

**marjorie** · 10-19-2009, 07:50 PM

If it were me, i'd be looking for friends with crockpots they probably wouldn't use for the holiday and that sort of thing. So many items are rarely used, and might be a big help to you.

**rowdy35** · 10-19-2009, 09:46 PM

i do lots of parties professionally and personally. sometimes I cook all the food and sometimes I do a pot luck. I would ask each guest to bring something: let them choose and then you cook what ever else is needed.

i also use crockpots to keep the food warm or you can buy the aluminum chafing dishes for around $10 and use a sterno to keep the food warm.

as for the booze, ask that they byob or it will be a budget buster unless you keep it simple ie beer and wine only

**Rebookie** · 10-19-2009, 10:03 PM

Thank you soo much!!

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-19-2009, 11:36 PM

A buffet sounds great!

Let people bring their favorite holiday dishes to fill out the buffet. You provide the main course, like the turkey and ham, and a couple other things. Split your cooking among do-ahead dishes, stuff that has to be cooked and served hot, and dishes you can buy or pour out of a jar. For example, ahead of time you might make cookies and freeze or refrigerate them until the day of. You can also put out purchased items like olives and pickles that are no work for you.

Plan what you want to serve around what serving dishes you have. If you have one crockpot and can borrow one more, don't plan 3 dishes that have to be kept hot. If you have one big serving tray, you can't do cookies on it and use it for a cheese tray too. So have a real good idea ahead of time how you plan to get the food out.

Likewise, you can't do a turkey and a pie at the same time on the afternoon of the dinner, so plan what you will prepare and when.

You provide plates, napkins, glasses, etc. Also the condiments like mustard, S&P, mayo, hot sauce, whatever. If you have a good friend who will take over that aspect of it, it will take a lot of stress off you.

**mamamia** · 10-20-2009, 04:53 AM

I like the buffet and bring a dish idea. Most people enjoy having their personal faves anyway. And as far as I know, you can rent chafing dishes from party rental places, along w/linens, extra seating, etc.

Theresa

**Libby** · 10-20-2009, 02:09 PM

Tip for keeping the gravy at the right consistency - serve it from a crockpot

Learned this the hard way lol

Just b/c the occasion is for Thanksgiving doesn't meant you have to cook traditional foods or even a turkey. Its just a reason to get together. You can make it a themed Thanksgiving. IE: Thanksgiving at Rebookies Hawaiian style

Think up (or look up) Thanksgiving traditions and try to make a simple game out of it.

I like the idea of Pot Luck b/c its less work and you get to try other's tried and true recipes. I also like BYOB but if you're worried about being an ill hostess over not serving cocktails....advise that it will be BYOB but that you will have the mixers on hand - basic sodas and juices and maybe make one or two signature drinks for the evening so you'll have to buy less booze etc.

You could also make a ground turkey-sloppy joe dish, turkey helper dish, turkeymeat balls, turkey fingers lol you get the idea. Turkey samiches!

Have fun with this party

**shoiji** · 10-21-2009, 03:52 PM

15-20 people is a lot to feed. I would definately have people bring something. A pot luck or favorite dish is great. Also helps with starting conversation, especially if everyone does not know each other.

Make as much ahead of time as possible. While baked ziti may not seem traditional turkey day side it is inexpensive and can feed many. Keep that in mind.

Once Halloween is over, see if there are any sales on cups and napkins. Orange can be used for Thanksgiving. Play a game to get people talking. What they are thankful for. Have them right it down on a piece of paper. Take turns taking out the pieces of paper and see if they can guess who made comment.

You could also just have a party of drinks and appetizers.

**PrairieRose** · 10-21-2009, 08:58 PM

You can cook a turkey, slice it, pour a can of chicken stock over it, put it in a ziplock freezer bag, freeze it. Make your dressing, freeze it, mash your potatoes the day before.....Thaw out the turkey and dressing the day before.....warm up the day of....noone will know.........

, because it's delicious....! and much easier this way. I do it every year.