Are you the hostess or the guest for this Thanksgiving? If a guest, what
Posted By: do you contribute? nm Hostessing here! on 2007-11-02
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I'm a guest
We go to my parent's house every year. We usually just bring some cornbread or some type of dessert.
Guest...
And all the guests bring a covered dish, a dessert, and a drink. The hostess does the meat (turkey) and a veggie or 2, plus desserts...plus all the cleaning, planning, etc., which is why I'm glad it's not my year to hostess!
Until they become family they are a guest...
and should sleep in the guest room like anyone else! Totally agree :)
Guest books are not new
I had one at my wedding 22 years ago. I was also guest book attendant for a friend from high school. Got there early, got to see everyone as they came in and say hi to people I hadn't seen in awhile. Not that big of a deal. Of course, she didn't tell me what I had to wear, either.
No, I mean she is the ONLY guest of honor and I am ignored (sm)
We have to celebrate how she wants, where she wants, etc. and she is lavished with attention while I am barely acknowledged as being a mother that day at all. Of course she still qualifies as a mother - but I am one too!
Why do they need someone in charge of the guest book?
You leave it on the table by the placecards, and people sign it when they get their table assignments. I have never seen anyone in charge of a guest book before. Talk about micromanaging.
Your post, she is always the guest of honor?
even though you are still raising children does not make sense to me. Do you mean once a child grows up you don’t qualify for a mother anymore?
Is it rude to ask a house guest
how long they will be staying. My MIL came Sunday to go to a doctor's appointment Monday. Well, the doctor appointment is over and it is already Wednesday and she is still here. She does tell us pretty much when she is coming but there is no end in sight. She is super sensitive and cries a lot with "you don't want me" so I don't know how to ask without any water works. I just want to know what to expect.
The other day Racheal Ray had a guest with a good suggestion.
She soaked a cotton ball with vanilla extract, placed in a cute, little glass dish and set it in her fridge. Bet that would work for you!!!
The guest list is up to the bride & groom....sm
no one else! Of course if grandma wants to foot the bill for the wedding then I'm sure they'd consider her desires.
I once was assigned guest book duty.
Like you, I didn't know what that entailed. When I arrived at the reception, I was told to hold the thing as people walked up and signed it. Basically, I was a human podium. If that's what the bride wants you to do, tell her to leave it on the table! How rude of her to expect so much! Show up in the red dress and don't even sign the silly guest book!
This new guest book thing is dumb anyway
something else to add to the list of a gazilion ways to fawn all over the couple! Gag. Who really cares? Can you believe people are so full of themselves these days? It's truly mind boggling. And with the divorce rate being 50% or higher, why do they even bother?
I'd definitely be there in my red dress for sure, would maybe even stuff my bra so my cleavage popped out!
Anything to get out of the dumb guest book thing!
It's actually insulting, you too are supposed to be a guest :)
Let us know what happens!!!
Missouri wedding guest...please report in! :) nm
s
What's the point of a guest book, anyway? They'll have the cards and
s
Totally agast, unwelcomed guest, how to handle
Last Christmas my husband's nephew was invited for Christmas breakfast and his friend came along. They were from out of town. They about ate us out of house and home and the friend after breakfast helped himself to the remote, changed channels and then spread across the couch and decided to go to sleep. These guys have no manners (older group here and they are hip-hop type guys). They later went to another family's home where they again were unmannerly. Get this, now the nephew calls (we had invited some other people) and he told husband he said he would be glad to give these people a ride! I know he probably is planning to have another dinner here (now not only his friend is in town but also wife and 4 kids). I would be so mortified to have all those folks show up, I probably would be very, very rude and it would be Christmas. My husband is not confrontational and did not say anything when his nephew said he offered to bring others and from another state. Ok, what would you do in this situation? Thanks!
Brunch guest who can't have dairy or salt - snowed in!
Out of ideas! Also, looking for simple recipe for brunch requiring stuff I have on hand. Martha always has some confounded ingredient I never heard of. Lost my hash brown recipe. Have frozen hash browns, sour cream, cr. chicken soup, butter & chips, forgot how I put them all together last time. Locked in, more snow coming, zero degrees in NE, don't even know if people will make it here. I'm frustrated. Have a spiral ham on hand, thank goodness! Sounds like I'll be cooking but will they come in the stormy weather. Darned if I do, darned if I don't! The no dairy, no salt thing is driving me up the walls.
Oh well, have a happy holiday. Tip: Put furniture polish or cooking oil on your snow shovel and the snow won't stick.
A guest book attendant is not a bridal party member and should
s
hostess and working
What's your menu? How many attending? You can pull this off with a little help from your friends and family...How much can you prepare a coupla days ahead?
Cooking a turkey overnight on low heat is nothing....gotta really good stuffing recipe that's done outta the bird....Gravy has to be done hand's on. 
The hostess sent invitations, and so should have addresses. sm
Just pass the list to the bride or mother-to-be.
Thanksgiving
Do not stress about your house. Celebreate your family and friends.
Last year I looked around our table and wondered how many would be back. It looks like everyone might be.
Our mother is quite ill and no improvement expected (except heaven). One sister-in-law has pancreatic cancer. One brother has prostate cancer and the hormones caused an MI. Another brother just had AAA sugery. This list goes on.
Last year I did not expect everyone to be alive in November of 2008 so I just choose to be grateful we will be together again.
I think thanksgiving would be the
perfect time to make it clear you are NOT joining in the free for all giftgiving. Maybe you could make their favorite desserts or breads instead or think of some other inexpensive hand made gifts. My sister makes jelly or tamales for the sibs and my brother buys a bottle of wine each (mine is piling up and getting well aged). This is exactly why I tell my 3 boys to buy for their wives and kids. I myself don't (can't) spend much on the kids, but I figure their parents need to have that fun, I've had my turn with my own. And I don't want anything at all, in fact, I wish when someone came over, they would have to take something when they leave! But, like I told one of mine, you are making memories, it will depend on your attitude and not what you spent that the kid remembers later. One might forget that expensive day at an amusement park, but remember years later a plain simple picnic because of the feeling of family fun and closeness. Good luck with your pregnancy, I am sure you are unusually tired already.
I try to have it up by thanksgiving or right after..nm
dd
I try not to even think about it until after Thanksgiving
It annoys me just a little that everyone forgets about Thanksgiving. It it a true American tradition/holiday that has pretty much just a prelude anymore to the commercial, overrated Christmas.
The people across the street have their glitzy white shimmering tree up. I just don't get it...
Thanksgiving
1939 to 1940
Abraham Lincoln's successors as president followed his example of annually declaring the final Thursday in November to be Thanksgiving. But in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt broke with this tradition. November had five Thursdays that year, and Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday as Thanksgiving rather than the fifth one. In 1940, in which November had four Thursdays, he declared the third one as Thanksgiving. Although many popular histories state otherwise, he made clear that his plan was to establish it on the next-to-last Thursday in the month instead of the last one. With the country still in the midst of The Great Depression, Roosevelt thought an earlier Thanksgiving would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas. Increasing profits and spending during this period, Roosevelt hoped, would help bring the country out of the Depression. At the time, advertising goods for Christmas before Thanksgiving was considered inappropriate.
I did a lot of reading before Thanksgiving
when we made one - it was rather small - just for the 2 of us - and it turned out perfect. Husband likes very rare and we knew we would have a few slices left over which we would then microwave so wanted them rare also. The best advice I can give is to buy a good thermometer and take out before it reaches the temp you want for rare, medium or whatever - as it does continue to cook for a few minutes outside the oven - which surprised this old cook!! It actually rose 5-10 degrees (cannot recall right now) and that can make a huge difference in a small prime rib - I was shocked! :))
The weekend after Thanksgiving
We go out and get the tree and decorate the inside of the house.
what are your Thanksgiving favorites that would
never make it to Martha Stewart's table. My daughter loves my ex-MIL's strawberry pretzel jello! Not haute cuisine!
Thanksgiving Blessings to all
We did have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Day Celebration - yesterday - Turkey & All The Trimmings -
Our son headed back to Hawaii where is he based, leaving for 6-month deployment in Iraq on Sunday. Again, Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Everyone!!
My worst Thanksgiving
I remember the date well. It was Thanksgiving of 1978. I had made the Thanksgiving meal and had invited friends. We were living in Wisconsin away from family. Well, some friends and I were putting the last minute touches on the meal, when I heard my dog going crazy outside. I opened the door and in she came, smelling horribly of SKUNK! Needless to say no one could eat anything, as the house just "STUNK OF SKUNK". 
Hey thanks, Cat. Happy Thanksgiving and SM
tell your sister I have done just that! It is a little closer to the TV, but all will work out, I am sure. I am in the market for a neat piece of carpet to put over that area. Have a great day and don't eat too much. I think a cup of Lipton tea would be great with that pie!
Happy Thanksgiving!
It may have been a very hard year for my family but I have a LOT to be thankful for -- including this wonderful group of colleagues!
We always put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. sm
we all sing-a-long Christmas songs to CDs while we decorate. I can't stand putting them up until after Thanksgiving. I have to close one holiday before i move onto the next, lol.
The other tradition i started with my kiddos is they always get to open ONE present on Christmas eve. that one present is always and will always be PJs. when they were little and i looked back on our Christmas pictures, i realized they were in whichever PJs they went to bed in. so then i decided every year to get them PJs for a gift so everyone looks nice for pictures the next morning.
Exactly what I was thinking....Thanksgiving
xx
Normally week AFTER Thanksgiving.
x
thanks again and happy Thanksgiving!
nm
This is what thanksgiving is all about...a must read
At turkey time last year, Monique White was unemployed, living in a cramped motel room and pining for the Thanksgivings of her childhood, when dozens of people would gather for a holiday feast.
Today a receptionist at a dentist's office, she has a townhouse in Littleton, Colo. And, thanks to an Internet posting, a list of Thanksgiving dinner guests — strangers all — who will help her eat nine turkeys, four hams, 16 boxes of stuffing and a dozen or so pies.
How did this happen?
White, 36, was feeling a bit lonesome a week ago; her two sons were planning to spend the holiday with their father. And though her longtime partner, Doug White, would be there for her on Thanksgiving, she longed to be surrounded by many more people.
So she posted invitations on Craigslist, the Internet classifieds site. In part, one read:
"Maybe you are someone who is new in town and doesn't have anywhere to go. Maybe you are a small family that wouldn't be able to afford Thanksgiving dinner otherwise. Maybe you are just looking to change up your normal Thanksgiving tradition. ... We have room at our table this year."
She figured four folks, maybe five would answer. But then the replies poured in: People laid off from work. People with no family. People ashamed to bring their children to a Thanksgiving dinner at a soup kitchen.
"I thought: There's was no way I can judge who is worthy of sitting at my table. I have to invite them all," White says.
In all, 32 people are expected for dinner.
When White's boss heard what she was doing, he offered to pay for the food. Then a local hotel offered to provide tables and chairs. Then a professional magician said he would like to perform for the kids.
Certainly a far cry from Thanksgiving 2007, White says. "Last year it was just us two. It was horrible."
Doug White has been busy baking turkeys, putting one in the oven as soon as another comes out.
"People need to stop being so worried about me, me, me, my bills, my life," he says. "You stop worrying, and look what happens?"
Who will be working on both Thanksgiving and/or Christmas and why? sm
This was brought up on another board and I wanted to know who was working. If you are, is it because you are "forced" to work on those days? If you are, please name the company so I can make sure I don't apply to that company. Why do people think that just because we work FROM HOME that we are obligated, more so than in house employees, to work on major holidays. I understand we are in healthcare and I know some will want to work while others don't want to. I say that if I CHOOSE not to work on those days then that shows I am prioritizing my life with family coming before my job. I'm sorry if that "hurts anyones feelings" but that is the truth and I don't think any company should ever, ever, ever push you or make you work on those 2 major holidays. You deserve them off - and if you WANT to work on those days then go for it. More power to you.
and if you should be in an accident or have a death in the family or have an emergency any other time during the year you have my word that I would cover your shift and take care of turn around times for you any other time, but don't make me work on a major holiday because I am not your slave.
I will not work on Thanksgiving day, but over that weekend -sm
when I choose to work. I will have 90 minutes of work to get done by Monday; so will probably just do 30 minutes each morning and still the day free for the most part. As for Christmas, I am probably have to work on Christmas day but only because I will not have had time to do my work before then. I will only take 60 minutes for that weekend but won't have much time to do it until Christmas night, so that will be interesting. I am going to try to do it Friday night/early Saturday morning of the weekend so I will not have to work Christmas night. It will make me more tired but I'd rather be tired than have to work the night I get back after driving 200 miles. But I don't have to work on the holiday. We are off when the hospital is off, which follows state mandates, so we get all the major holidays.
Working Thanksgiving. Off Christmas. Not exactly
by choice, but because I had to choose one or the other. Christmas is the only day of the year that my whole family is off. 
Thanksgiving day treats that start with N
I need help with some ideas for turkey day treats that start with N for my kindergartener's class. I can only think of the following:
nuts
nectarine
noodles
Tip for day after Thanksgiving shopping deals....sm
check stores on-line as a lot of them are having on-line specials that are as good if not better than in their stores. For example, I bought a 32 inch LCD TV with dual tuner, extended warranty for 2 years, free shipping and grand total with tax of $717 - on-line offer only, on a major chain's website. Happy shopping!
Happy Thanksgiving & we thank our military! (sm)
http://www.sgtstrader.org/msg/2006tdm1.html
You will have to cut and paste this link I guess - it is worth it - very beautiful and touching!
Thanksgiving Warm Fuzzies!
A while back, I posted about boy named Conner who had a bone marrow transplant for NEMO. After being in the hospital in a different state than his own since August, Conner finally returned to his home and family! While he still has a very long and rocky road ahead, he is at least able to be home for Thanksgiving. If you click on the link, and scroll down, you will see the one of the most heartwarming photos of his homecoming taken by their local newspaper:
http://www.caringbridge.org/in/connersmith/index.htm
BTW, Conner is one of a set of triplets!
If you want to send Conner a hat from your state, check out the Hats for Conner site at:
http://hatsforconner.blogspot.com/
There you will also find a photo of my dog Addie who absolutely hates the digital camera.
What was your WORST Thanksgiving? Just lightening up a little sm
I had a few but remember these the best. First was in a snowstorm when my son came down with chicken pox and all we had left (as we were going out) was one pound of hamburg in the freezer, just had to make the best of it. Another was when we unwrapped our turkey that morning and it was bad and all the stores were closed.. This was one we planned to stay home for and have a "just us" memorable Thanksgiving. We ate all the veggies and still enjoyed ourselves, but we have something to laugh at today in our memories.Happy Thanksgiving! 
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. sm
 I hope you all have something to be thankful for!!!
At my in-laws' house one Thanksgiving, sm
my brother in law's dog took a crap right in the middle of the living room. My mother-in-law (rest her soul) walked into the kitchen, grabbed a handful of papertowels, wiped up the poop, threw the papertowels out, washed her hands, and sat back down at the table. She was like it was no big deal! We were all laughing like crazy AFTER she sat back down and we saw she was not fazed by it at all. It was too funny.
Having a totally cool Thanksgiving..!! s/m
Woiken, then havin spaghetti and meatballs, den watchin a flick!! A good one to all...!!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday
Actually, it's the eve of my favorite holiday - Black Friday! Every year, starting the day before Thanksgiving, I begin the preparations: House cleaned, clothes packed, manicure, pedicure, extra lines worked. Then Thanksgiving day, the family comes to my house (my parents, 3 siblings and their families plus me and hubs and 3 kids). We have an early Thanksgiving dinner - 2 p.m.
By 5 p.m., the guys are all watching football, the kids are playing video games, and we women begin staking out our big day. We have the sales papers all over the table, the Sharpie's poised and ready to mark our intended targets. Usually around 6 or 7 p.m., my company packs it in and calls it a day. My hubs then heads to Wal-Mart (yes on Thanksgiving day) to buy his stock of groceries/snacks for the weekend. While he's out, I soak in the tub for a good hour. Then I call my girlfriend, with whom I'll be spending the weekend, and we go over the final plans just 1 last time. I print out our agenda on the computer and then try to get myself to bed early, usually by 10 p.m.
At 3:00 a.m. Black Friday, the alarm goes off. I'm out of that bed like a rocket and into the shower. By 4:00 a.m., I'm at my best friend's house. We throw her suitcases in the back and head off to our local Wal-Mart for the first finds of the day. We usually have our stuff checked out and back in the car by 6:15 a.m. Then we head off to our yearly shopping extravaganza. We spend the weekend in Lancaster, PA where there's crafting, outlets, and mall shopping. Our hotel has a hot tub and an indoor pool. We catch all the great buys at the dept stores in Lancaster and then spend the rest of Friday crafting. We have a nice dinner and then head back to the hot tub.
Saturday's more of the same, mostly outlets and the mall. We usually meet up with the rest of our crew -- about 10 of us, all ladies, no kids. We have dinner and go over all the best buys we got. Come Sunday, we sleep in a little late and then check out of the hotel. Not much opens early on Sunday, not even the mall, in Lancaster (home of the Amish). We finish up our day at the mall and then head over to the Olive Garden for a farewell dinner. We usually end up making it home by 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. Sunday night.
Okay - now you've got me all excited. I can hardly wait. As for my hubs and 3 kids, they usually buddy up and have sleepovers. Saturday is a definite movie day. They almost always have a must-see Christmas movie out Thanksgiving weekend. Sunday, they pretty much lay around and wait for me. My hubs usually gets the indoor Christmas decorations out for me to get started on. We usually put the outdoor ones up the weekend before Thanksgiving. I SOOOOOO CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!! It is absolutely my favorite holiday of the year, my second fav being Christmas Eve (I love the anticipation of what's to come). Thanksgiving is only 107 days away!!!!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Reason being, no presents. Just family and an excuse to eat lots of yummy foods that you don't get to have any other time of year. I have loved it since I was a child.
I like your idea though. Maybe I will do like you said. I can't please everyone and I am working both holidays so it will be hard for me to get time to go somewhere else. I can certainly use my breaks and some planning to make it at our house though.
LOL at your story. Thanks for the tip and encouragement. It's a shame that some people are such sticklers when all it really comes down to spending time with family!
All these people are coming for thanksgiving...
My house is a cluttered mess. I just don't know where to start. I mean, I guess I do...I've been to Flylady.net...but it seems so overwhelming. What I thought would be fun is giving me heart palpitations. Any advice?
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