A crowded house on Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Silverbells]

Ok so it has already been set in stone that my brothers and sisters plan on spending Thanksgiving at my house (I live w/my father and stepmother and its hard getting them out the house. So everyone has opted to come to them). The only thing is I am the 12th out of 13 children nevermind the fact that most of my siblings have children of their own. So to say that my house is going to be crowded is an understatment. I need some ideas on how to make this Thanksgiving go as smooth as possible. Its early September so I figured I start some of the planning now. Hopefully this will cut down on any possible disasters comming true. MMC family this is where you guys come in. Any ideas, suggestions, hints or recipes are greatly apperciated and very welcomed. Please Help!



Thanks a bunch,
Tamika aka Silverbells:happy:

 

[loksi]

Tamika, sounds like your going to have fun this T'giving! I mean that sincerely. While our immediate family wasn't nearly so large (several years back now) we still had everyone at our house and it was, to my wife and me, one of the best times ever. We're looking forward to hosting it again.
Could you tell us something about the size of your house/kitchen/eating or entertaining areas (hope I'm not being too nosy). Do you have room for overflow to a porch, outside (if weather permits)? Are you a scheduler? Could you perhaps enlist only one or two of your siblings to help with the cooking at your house (too many would be too crowded, so the others could bring their food with them); arrange for some of the neices/nephews to help set the dining areas and pitch in with the cleanup.
I'm sure many more from MMC will be coming to your aid - good luck! Blessings.

 

[trackrebel]

wow, now that is big family...I am sure it will be a beautiful day, but You are right to start planning for it now....we don´t do thanks giving here, but I am sure You will get plenty of help from the people here

 

[RadioJonD]

Move...without leaving a forwarding address.

 

[TamaraQT]

Hi Tamika!
I think it's wonderful that you are doing this. Nothing like a big gathering for Thanksgiving. Well, lets see what I can suggest. Generally, my sister-in-law hosts our thanksgiving dinner. She has everyone bring a covered dish. She makes 2 turkeys, dressing and mashed potatoes. I take candied yams. My other sister-in-law brings mac & cheese. Someone brings green beans and so on. This way my sister-in-law who hosts, doesnt get stuck all day in the kitchen. After dinner we all help clean up. Nobody likes the cleanup part, but when you are doing it together, it's fun. You get to talk and enjoy each others company. Maybe you will find some of this useful. Just remember, its your holiday too. So don't overwhelm yourself. Let people help. Keep me posted.

 

[Minta]

BUFFET SET UP!!!

Consider using paper plates, plastic cups, paper napkins especially for the kids.

If anyone has an electric roasting pan, have them bring it. Its great for keep food warm. Invest in the buffet pans with the little wax warmers under neath to keep food warm. Crock pots are great for keeping mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, gravy hot. Have guests bring their crock pots as well.

I agree about having others bring a covered dish. Any dishes you have to make, make them ahead of time if possible.

Buy premade fresh veggie and fruit platters. Might cost a little more but well worth the time saved.

Coolers great for keeping drinks cold or to store ice for drinks or to keep items cold that will not fit in the frig.

Check with your local fire dept, church, civic center to see if you can rent tables and chairs from them for a fee. Most times this is cheapier then renting from a rental company.

 

[Courtney]

Ditto the buffet suggestion.

Also, make pies and/or cookie doughs etc. a few weeks or a month ahead of time and freeze them, so then they are out of the way.

Ask the guests to bring whatever beverage they prefer and/or to also bring their favorite side dish or dessert.

Use disposable aluminum pans for cooking and serving and also nice disposable dishes/silverware. Believe me, you will want the clean-up to be quick and easy when there are that many people in your house.

Good Luck!
:family:

 

[Silverbells]

Thanks you guys

I've read all of your post so far and its very helpful. Just to give you guys an update. I live in the city (Philadelphia Pa.) so space is sort of limited. I was talking to one of my sisters yesterday and she said that she was going to come over that tuesday before Thanksgiving and spend the rest of the week at my house. So she my step-mother and I will be making the meats at my house. Three of my siblings won't be making it this year because this is the year that they will be spending Thanksgiving at their in-laws house (and they just so happen to be the three that have the most children) so this should loosen the crowd a little. My oldest brother has opted to bring Mac n chesse and the pies and so far thats all I have. I really appreciate all of the help and suggestions keep them comming!


Tamika aka Silverbells:carve:

 

[Steven]

Sounds like a crowd and a lot of work... Yet seems like a lot of fun! Having a big family is so fun!

 

[MsChristmas]

Oh my gosh that sounds like so much fun! Its just me and 1 brother and I miss sometimes having big family get togethers! Looks like everyone has been leaving some good ideas. I think its great if everyone brings a dish or two. That would make the cooking a lot easier. Also you could have a "kids" or "childrens" table. My Aunt used to do that when I was younger and we used to go over there for Thanksgiving. You could also do it in shifts if the space is really tight. Although I lilke to eat all at once!

 

[TamaraQT]

Everyone is giving some great suggestions. I have to comment on the paper plates and plastic utensils. I like those foam plates made by Hefty. They are nice octagon shaped foam/paper plates that come in RED, GREEN and a nice Royal BLUE color. They are pretty heavy and durable. And the dinner sized ones hold ALOT. They are over 10inches wide I believe.

Also, I discovered the new plastic utensils that look like REAL GENUINE SILVERWARE!! I was in a wholesale club when I saw them. I picked up the display expecting it to be a heavy silver fork and here it was Disposable Plastic!!!

I believe in keeping things as simple as possible. I believe the less you have to do, the more time you can spend with each other and that is what really matters. I am so excited for you about your big family thanksgiving!! I think planning and preparing is just as much fun as the actual event. cheesy

 

[One Spoiled Brat]

Memory making....It will be a ton of fun....Enjoy....:hello:

 

[ChristmasSpirit76]

:dancingturks:

I personally have no children so not sure if this will work. Have some games,movies, or easy projects for the kids to do while waiting to eat. You could have some of the older children pair up with some younger ones to read, play, or do something to make memories with that child. Its a great time for cousins to be together and get to know one another if they don't leave near each other. Sounds like you guys will make some great memories. Have someone going around taking pictures as well.

:carve: