What do you think about a potluck thanksgiving dinner?!
Answers: Do you prefer to just go as a guest or do you enjoy bringing food?
I think it's cool when everyone brings something different. I used to host Thanksgiving every year for my cheap, mooching family. I would make the turkey, stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, my always requested corn souffle, and one dessert, and I'd ask everyone to bring something.
My cousins would bring a bag of stale rolls or a big can of yams (after I offered to make my special candied yams and she said No! I'll bring yams!), a box of Oreos.....Certainly, if you're traveling a great distance, you shouldn't be expected to bring a freshly baked apple pie. But at the time, we all lived within about an hours' drive from each other. They were just lazy. That's why I stopped hosting.
Potluck works out beautifully if everyone puts a little effort into it. Takes some of the workload off the host.
Both, depending on the time I have to cook. I like being asked to bring things that people know I make well.
absolutely ... that's the way it should be ...everyone brings something.
Just as a guest. What time should I arrive?
i think pot lucks are good. that way not only you have to make the whole meal. its also good because if your a picky eater then you know at least that youd like what you brouht. just dont make this mistake:
plan out what everones gonna bring so that you dont have like 50 pounds of potatoes and nothing else
I'm with Ann. I don't mind bringing a vegetable or dessert, but I don't like being told to bring a sweet potato souffle or layered salad. No specifics. People who are traveling a long distance should not be expected to cart food along, too.
Ahhh, Hey Beavis....Huh, Huh, She said POT LUCK! Ahhhuh huh huh!!! Ahhh, YEA Butthead, ahmmm, Keep smoking!! hehehe
We usually bring food. Large families can be a burden on the host, so we usually let the host cook the turkey and maybe a ham and everybody else brings the rest. You just have to be sure that everybody isn't bringing the same thing.
excellent idea. as long as you are not the one baking the turkey. also, i don't understand why people gather in somebodys place for dinner and don't help out. hello, it is a big dinner.
Potlucks are either hit or miss. There are some genuinely bad cooks out there, so I would suggest, if you know someone can make something really well, it's their specialty, have them bring it. Otherwise just have people bring desserts, salads, appetizers, or things that arn't too hard to mess up.
I love potluck thanksgiving, especially when there is a large number of guests. I keep it organized and make a list of things in the various categories. When someone asks what they should bring, I of course remind them of one of their speciality dishes that fall within the one of the categories I would like to serve. They are usually so honored and flattered, they are more than willing to bring it. I usually provide the main meat entree. I have been known to have more than one due to meet the tastes of my guests. Good old family Thanksgiving favorites are the best. Have them bring it ready to serve already baked or cooked to keep your kitchen clear so you can continue with your items. I had guests bring appetizers (make sure they are early arrivals), salads, wine, beverages, veggie dishes, dressings, relish dishes. I usually have my buffet table items all ready the day before with a small post it note with the item noted so when the items arrive, I know exactly where it goes on the buffet table. I also make sure I have the correct serving piece and a trivet for hot dishes.
Remember to add height to your serving plates and dishes (such as inverted bowls or cake plates) to made more room on the table. I also set up a beverage station where guests can serve themselves. They feel more at home and family I think. Depends on the number of guests, I sometimes invest into disposable plates - a good quality at a restaurant or party supply store - really helps the clean up. Have a wonderful thanksgiving and be sure to enjoy your day.
everyone has there own special traditions for thanksgiving so i would think that if they where going out for thanksgiving that they would be happier if they could bring their favorite thanksgiving dish with them
