non-traditional Thanksgiving meal?

**McD** · 11-17-2008, 11:20 AM

I need suggestions. Normally, DH, DS, and I head down to Illinois to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Well, I have to work the day before and the day after and I just can't justify making DS ride an 8 hour car trip in one day.

Instead, we are going to spend the day at home watching movies and putting up the Christmas tree. Anyways, I don't want to make a huge Thanksgiving meal for just the three of us. Instead I was thinking of just making appetizers and snacking all day.

So I need some suggestions for appetizers. This is what I have so far

-hot crab pinwheels
-little smokies
-summer sausage
-cheese and crackers
-veggies and dip

I also might make a pot of soup or something.

What would all of you do?

**LexTysMommy** · 11-17-2008, 01:00 PM

They do sell a small boneless turkey that I buy throughout the year, if you wanted turkey without the hassle of the big bird. Since son is so young I say whatever you and hubby want for dinner then. Spaghetti, chili, soup. sounds good to me.

**IntlMom** · 11-17-2008, 11:53 PM

actually, I think you;re snacking idea is great! I actually prefer this!
How about some fruit with some yummy fruit dip?

**pbobber** · 11-18-2008, 01:18 AM

I think that doing an appetizer dinner is a great idea. My family has did it for Christmas the year before last. It was delicious and stress free.

My family always has a traditional Thanksgiving meal (my brother always gets a free turkey from work) and a non-traditional Christmas. Last year we grilled steaks.

I say, if it works for you, go for it.

**tervsforme** · 11-18-2008, 08:48 AM

I love having days like that. How about....
meatballs - easy with grape jelly and cocktail sauce or even mushroom soup.
Tex Mex Dip - a seven layer dip served with chips.
Veggie Pizza made with crescent rolls, cream cheese and chopped fresh veggies.
Shrimp Cocktail is always a nice treat, especially if you aren't spending the money on a turkey.

That's just a few, I can come up with lots more if you like. We used to do this often! Have fun!

**joyofsix** · 11-18-2008, 09:20 AM

We always do that for New Year's Day. We have
cheese ball & crackers
beef stick slices, good crackers
potato chips (a treat for my kids because I won't usually buy them)
cheese fondue with french bread
chocolate fondue with fruit (use my little crock pot)
relishes
sauer kraut and brats in a crock pot

**Ceashels** · 11-18-2008, 09:43 AM

I think a pot of soup would be a great backdrop to the assortment of finger foods you have listed. What a great idea.

**Maine Girl** · 11-18-2008, 09:44 AM

How about some chicken nuggets with a dipping sauce If you wanted to go italian you could buy one of those packaged pasta dishes with salad and bread. Your plans sound very cozy Enjoy!!

**PrairieRose** · 11-18-2008, 09:53 AM

Sounds yummy Nichole. I've always wanted to do traditional foods (for the family gathering, not talking when we're alone...which hasn't happened yet) and then on Christmas have an 'ethnic' holiday menu. We have 2 family members that object so we keep on doing the same ol' same ol', T-Day menu repeat.

**Terri** · 11-18-2008, 10:03 AM

We do the appetizer thing on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. I let each person pick one favorite to make. I always have veggies and dip, cheese ball and something like mini eggrolls. My fav is scallops wrapped in bacon then broiled.

If you do want an easy turkey breast recipe this one is for the crockpot.

Turkey breast
1/2 cup of white wine or apple juice
1 tablespoon of chives

cook all day in the crockpot

**geckoace** · 11-18-2008, 10:48 AM

trader joes sells a turkey breat stuffed with cranberry walnut stuffing it o good and a nice ize so that you can have leftovers for dinner the next night (my fav part of thanksgiving)

how about hot spinach dip or a crab pretzel mmmmm

**phoeny_moonstar** · 11-18-2008, 03:28 PM

I thinkpersonally that sounds delicious! How about some fried rice, or something like that to have some more "bulk" ??

**zakity** · 11-18-2008, 03:34 PM

For xmas day, we bake a ham and we snack on it all day long. No organized meals or anything. We also have snacky foods on hand that we normally don't have on hand.

**itsahumanzoo** · 11-18-2008, 03:54 PM

I love dips as appetizers. My favorite is hot artichoke dip. You can bake it in a small baking dish, or in a bread bowl too. My husband also seems to really like baked brie. It's really simple, just take a small wheel of brie, put a few dollops of your favorite preserves on top and wrap it in puff pastry dough. Then just bake until it's all brown and crispy. That would go along fine with your cheese and crackers. Also, my favorite holiday cheese are those cheese logs! Mmm, I'm getting excited now.