Why did I agree to do Thanksgiving?

[CouponClipper15]

I would tell her to go get a honey baked ham from the Honey Baked Ham store if her husband is expecting ham. It's not in your best interest to provide it for them. Tell her you have a coupon if she needs it. Lol!

[tmsmalley]

Ya know, there's this magic word that women don't use often enough. It is called No. You're cooking a ham. No, sorry. We want to eat at noon. I'm putting bird in at XX and anticipate a XX sit down. If that doesn't work for your husband's work schedule, maybe you'll have to pass this year.

All the best to you! Sounds like this year is going to be a heck of a ride!

Tess

[heartse]

might I suggest a 2-hour turkey recipe. You can find the recipe at Safeway.com

[farmergirl]

IF you are not gonna get a spine in time for thanksgiving, get a turkey roaster from walmart. I LOVE my turkey roaster. Prep your bird your normal way, toss the bird in it the night before on 250-300 and cook all night. It will be fall apart goodness and insanely tender by noon. I almost always do this so that my oven isn't taken up by the bird. I average a bird a month most of the year cuz it's so easy.

Personally I'd tell them where to shove the ham but I'm guessing you're nicer than me....

[uummm]

Well this is from 3 years ago...I had to reread it since I am the OP....

I didn't make a ham that year and they stayed until 5pm I think I managed to get dinner served by 2pm.

My brother hasn't been here in 2 years and I haven't returned over there for Easter (actually last time I was there I snuck in and out without them knowing)...

They did make special beverage requests like "I only drink Diet Mt Dew out of 24oz bottles, the 6packs or Diet Coke from 12oz cans..." So that problem is solved simply by saying "Bring your own drinks." Which they did...

Now it is just my cousin and her 2 kids (though she thinks she can just let them loose in my house and as long as she puts up baby gates at the bottom of the stairs she is covered...WRONG! I let her know that too.) and my husbands Brother maybe my brothers 2 kids if they can get my cousin to bring them so they can be alone (Never once calling me to ask, they just go through my cousin)...whatever.

It gets lonely here around the holidays because I have no family around. It gets hard watching all my neighbors with lots of cars in front of their houses having family gatherings and we never have anything to do.

This year we were going to make it a special season by doing the Christmas Tree experience in the mountains. We are fake tree people, but thought we might give that a whirl.

[3timesoccermom]

And the holiday strife begins!!!

If anyone else has "suggestions" (or more accurately, demands) for what you are preparing I would just tell them "hey, thanks but I've already got the menu set."

I'm sure you'll do a fabulous and memorable job.

P.S. We've had ham and turkey many times.

[taxchyk]

I must say my family is very accomodating. We drive between 5 and 9 hours to arrive, depending on whose house it's at. We also ask ahead of time what we can bring, and wouldn't show up without extras or hostess gifts. We also get up early, sometimes before the hosts, and start the work. Hosts are not allowed to clear tables, do dishes, empty garbage, walk dogs or anything else they may want a special method for. Sometimes one family does arrive late, so since older kids are going to be anyway they get to welcome them. Any other ideas on how we can make it easier on our hosts?

[Macaela25]

Our family's rule is on holidays...if you want something above and beyond the regular menu...make it yourself. I'm amazed that adults could think to descend on someone and then start making specific demands.

One of my BILs (unfortunately the B does not stand for "brother" with either of them) told my mother the first year he joined our family that she would need to make his mother's oyster dressing for him in a rather demanding manner. She replied that if he wanted it that badly, he needed to go to her house for Thanksgiving...and he has every Thanksgiving since (thank heavens).

Funny thing was, if he'd asked nicely instead of informing her bluntly, she would have made it for him even though she's never touched an oyster in her life. Some people need a side serving of social skills with their holiday meals.

LOL OP...the comment about the soda in specific containers killed me. I'm impressed and grateful when someone outside my family remembers my drink preferences at all...I don't give a rat's behind how it comes, as long as it's clean!

[CW&M Mom]

Our family's rule is on holidays...if you want something above and beyond the regular menu...make it yourself. I'm amazed that adults could think to descend on someone and then start making specific demands.

One of my BILs (unfortunately the B does not stand for "brother" with either of them) told my mother the first year he joined our family that she would need to make his mother's oyster dressing for him in a rather demanding manner. She replied that if he wanted it that badly, he needed to go to her house for Thanksgiving...and he has every Thanksgiving since (thank heavens).

Funny thing was, if he'd asked nicely instead of informing her bluntly, she would have made it for him even though she's never touched an oyster in her life. Some people need a side serving of social skills with their holiday meals.

LOL OP...the comment about the soda in specific containers killed me. I'm impressed and grateful when someone outside my family remembers my drink preferences at all...I don't give a rat's behind how it comes, as long as it's clean!

Amen!

[3timesoccermom]

That is too funny!! And he probably thinks "well I'll show them and they'll miss me." Good for your Mom!!!

One of my BILs (unfortunately the B does not stand for "brother" with either of them) told my mother the first year he joined our family that she would need to make his mother's oyster dressing for him in a rather demanding manner. She replied that if he wanted it that badly, he needed to go to her house for Thanksgiving...and he has every Thanksgiving since (thank heavens).

Funny thing was, if he'd asked nicely instead of informing her bluntly, she would have made it for him even though she's never touched an oyster in her life. Some people need a side serving of social skills with their holiday meals.

LOL OP...the comment about the soda in specific containers killed me. I'm impressed and grateful when someone outside my family remembers my drink preferences at all...I don't give a rat's behind how it comes, as long as it's clean!