Moms Talk: Make Thanksgiving Easier On Yourself

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week's query: Thanksgiving is this week and it's a lot of fun... if you're not the person in charge of 90 percent of the food.

Do you have any tips for how to make this easier on the unfortunate families who have decided to host the big meal?

Donna Milnes:

Growing up, I remember my mother always having the family over for dinner.  She did all the work herself and never asked for help from those coming to dinner.

When I got married and started having the family at our home, I understood what a task Thanksgiving dinner really was. I started asking everyone to bring something. If you live close by, you bring a hot dish; if not, you bring dessert and beverages.

I found out you don’t have to make pumpkin pie from scratch; store bought is fine. I always make the real stuffing that the family likes and I make gravy from the turkey because it is after all the “Holiday” but microwave veggies and side dishes are fine.

We have used Holiday paper plates to make clean up is easier too.

You know, everyone enjoys the meal because the great company is why we come together. Don’t fret the small stuff!

Renee Ochaya:

My best tip is to plan ahead.

Plan your menu and your shopping list and shop for all but non-perishables a week or two prior to Turkey Day. When I have done that it has made the event much more enjoyable for all.

Another tip is to share the cooking. We celebrate Thanksgiving with great friends from Cincy each year. Together we prep the turkey and make our favorite dishes all while the kids are enjoying the parade and running around having fun.

It is social and I have some favorite recipes we have created together that will always remind of our special time together on Thanksgiving. Now that our kids are getting older we are having them help with preparations.

My 13 year old took care of selecting all the candy for the candy dishes (although I think he had an ulterior motive and I hope there is some candy left by Thanksgiving). He also picked out all the drinks and will be in charge of making punch and Shirley temples.

The kids also picked a few favorite cookie recipes and we bought all the supplies and will let the kids have fun baking together.

Most important of all is to remember it is a time to give thanks, count our blessings and enjoy those you love the most.

With that in mind, even if you burn the turkey (done that) make the mashed potatoes too lumpy (that too) or smooshed all the pies (more than once), it will still be a wonderful day.

Mary Jo Stack:

For some reason, I never mind the hustle and bustle of preparing a holiday meal. I kind of enjoy the chaos of it all.
 
We used take turns hosting a holiday meal for my husbands large family. We took turn at each others homes. The host made the main dish (meat, fish...) all of the other siblings each brought a side dish, drinks, desert, etc. This way everyone felt like they contributed.
 
Agreed that for a large crowd the best thing to do is use disposable dinnerware to save on time and easy cleanup so you can have more time to visit.
 
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Devone Lansing:

If you don't want to over stress, keep it simple.

Only do the basics: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and a vegetable. We don't have to kill ourselves by cranking out four different casseroles and all kinds of special extras!

Also, why not BUY some pies instead of making them? If you're short on time, Sam's Club has excellent pumpkin and pecan pies! (My secret is out now.)

I like the idea of sharing the responsibilities, too. If everyone brings one or two items, the workload is MUCH lighter. Oh, and don't forget to help Mom with all of those dishes!

Jill Korsok:

My mom hosts Thanksgiving for our large extended family. I try to make her life a little easier by helping her clean and prepare the house, set the tables, chop vegetables, or whatever else needs to be done.

When all that stuff is done, we just sit down with a glass of wine and talk and laugh and enjoy each other's company.

We've shared this tradition since I was in college and the night before Thanksgiving has evolved into one of my favorite nights of the year!