What to bring
 

OK, so I'm spending Thanksgiving with the BF's family. It's at his uncle's house, but his parents are pretty much doing the cooking and everything...

I've never spent Thanksgiving with someone else's family... I want to bring something... but WHAT ?? I mean I suppose the answer is food of some sort... but I'm not quite sure how many people will be there....or what they're traditional meal includes... help me out GC ?

How far do you have to go? Do you have to worry about something spoiling?

I would go with something that is your own speciality or a traditional dish for your family. If your boyfriend is reliable enough (knowing how guys tend to be... my BF is the most reliable guy in the world but when it comes to something like this he is useless), have him ask how many people and what you can bring- appetizer, side, dessert, salad, etc. Or if you feel comfortable, contact his family yourself.

I would bring a bottle of wine and some nice flowers.

His Uncle's place is about 45 Min. south of me in Atherton, so food won't go bad and we're not staying over night or anything. I'd think wine too... but I think quite a few people will be there, do I need to bring enough to serve more than the host ? I wouldn't know who to present it to, his aunt and uncle (since they are technically hosting) , or BF's parents..... ? If I ask the BF, he'll get the info on who's coming... but then he'll tell me "you don't have to bring anything"... :rolleyes:

Is there a particular appetizer, side dish, or dessert that you make well? Perhaps something that is always on your family's Thanksgiving table? If so, make that. It can be anything from green bean casserole to apple pie. If it's a traditional dish from your family, share a story - for instance, "When I was little, my mom made apple pie every year, and it was always my job to make the crust. Now that I've left home, I still make a pie every year - and here it is."

Otherwise, bring a bottle of wine and/or some flowers or maybe a small houseplant.

You shouldn't show up empty-handed.

Usually when my mom has parties, and my mom is the queen of massive Thanksgiving gatherings, guests just bring one bottle of wine or vodka (did I mention we're Russian?) or a bottle of chocolates or something like that. It's more of a formality to show that you have good manners and that you appreciate his family inviting you over. If you bring enough food for the whole family, it may look like you're trying too hard. Also, in terms of cooking your own food, I would err on the side of caution, because your hostess may think that it looks like you're trying to upstage her or think that her food isn't good enough for you. Just a thought.

Pie.

There can never be enough pie at Thanksgiving.

You can bring dessert, flowers, and a bottle of wine. We have hosted a few holidays. Whenever guests bring these things, we are happy. :)

Cheese tray and crackers!!! Simple and easy!

I spent Thanksgiving with a friend last year and didn't bring anything. It would've been a nice gesture but I was told to forget Southern hospitality and just bring myself.

I would CHECK on whether or not they actually drink wine first. If so, bring a bottle of wine and/or ask if your boyfriend can suggest a dish. Also consider asking if there's anything his family needs you to pick up from the store on the way there. I say saving his family a last minute trip to the grocery store is more important than giving them a dish that they might already have or not need.

I agree with bringing a dessert. There's no such thing as too many desserts.

Wine is always nice, but after a holiday with my BF's family, I'm usually glad I brought gin.

I would bring a bottle of wine.....perhaps scotch as well for the men. I wouldn't do food.......alot of families are very particular about what they serve for Thanksgiving....kind of like a tradition. I know with my family, we have the same dishes every year, sometimes slightly varying on the deserts.

If you're bringing food for the meal definately ask the family. If you're bringing a hostess gift, wine or something is good. Even if they don't drink wine often (or at all) it's an appropriate gift. I wouldn't bring wine/scotch/alcohol in general for the whole family without asking first.

A jug of Carlo Rossi sangria...tee hee.


I was going to say a box of See's candy, but since they live in ATHERTON of all places get your behind to Joseph Schmidt for some truffles. They always have turkey and pumpkin shaped truffles that are classy and tasty. I know they sell them other random places (even at the resort in Coeur d'Alene, that made me super happy) but the store/confectioners at 16th and Market is always fun to go to, and they even will package them up all pretty.

I would bring a dessert (especially pie). In my family, we always end up having like 6 different types of pie, and it rules. Try something you make well, or that's non-traditional (ie not pumpkin or pecan).

As for the wine thing, in both my dad's and my mom's family we don't have wine with dinner, so it wouldn't work.. but I guess most people do? :confused:

Cannolis! Who can resist them? Get the mini ones, and get 2 dozen. People will be so impressed.

PS anyone else have lasagna at Thanksgiving in addition to turkey?
<----------italian girl here

Spiced Cider would be another "seasonal" idea. Especially if you have an apple orchard near that makes it homemade.

Tortellini! For Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Oh Drole... I think I love you! My inlaws are in Arkansas and a few years ago, dh's aunt had a huge Thanksgiving dinner for about 50 people on their huge ranch. I made a tortellini dish with rosemary potatoes, pan-seared chicken, and a homemade olive-oil based sauce. Now, I never measure out portions, and all of dh aunts and women relatives wrote down everything I did.

It was such a hit, and all the guys in his family (some of them big burly farm boys) had 2nd and 3rd helpings! DH's little 12 yo cousin said "I love you even more now" (he had a crush on me) and asked me next time I come visit to cook for him. So I made homemade manicotti (4 trays!) and meatballs, and had a "boys night" to watch football.

This is EXACTLY why I was hestitant about the bringing of food... the tradition and the whole... "upstaging the hostess" thing. I think I'm going to do some truffles as Vandal Squirell suggested and some flowers. Now... what to wear... hehe :D

Mulled, it's mulled, not spiced :P Take it from the girl surrounded by apple orchards :D

Now that's a tradition I can get behind. Tortellini is one of my comfort foods. I'm disgusting and buy chicken and prosciutto tortellini, load it up with alfredo and then shove a bunch of parm cheese on top. I will die of a heart attack by 25, watch this space!

OMG I LOVE CANNOLI.

My mom's side is Italian, and for Christmas we have Italian cold cuts (salami, capocollo, other stuff I can't pronounce.) It's kind of weird but whatever, its tradition.

ALFREDO SAUCE IS NOT ITALIAN. Well, not American alfredo anyway...

Sorry.. Pet Peeve :p

Is Italian Alfredo less creamy?

<---likes Alfredo sauce but likes olive oil or pesto sauce better

Shoot, I even had the wiki page up a minute ago. It's more buttery, less... well, everything else.. thickeners and cream and such. I prefer marinara or bolognese myself :D

I do believe I've had Italian Alfredo before then. I think I even thought it was strange or the chef messed it up because it wasn't as thick and creamy as the Alfredo I'm used to.

Oh yeah I like marinara too but only with angel hair pasta. What's bolognese?

<----I'm hungry so I'm asking food questions

Meat & Tomato sauce :)

I got to go to Italy with a group from my university and had excellent Italian food the entire trip.

Italian food in Italy. What a shocking concept.

Yeah yeah...we didn't eat a touristy places (nor did we break down and try to find a McDonalds) so :p

Don't worry about what to bring, just don't burn cig holes in their couch. They'll appreciate that. ;)

Ohh.. so brinigng the hookah for everyone to smoke from is probably a faux pas too, huh ? :) :D

Bring flowers. Always appreciated.

My suggestion is bring a bottle of wine for dinner (after finding out if they drink) if not go with the mulled cider or a buttered rum. I would bring a hostess gift, something small that they can enjoy later on. I think Godiva is always good for this. My sister in law has found these really yummy burbon filled chocolates she always brings for this type of stuff and it always goes over great.

Hookah's are for Indians and GDI's .

Okay I've given this some thought and I think you need to bring a flask. That way if his family gets too much, you can just take swigs of your booze of choice. Think of it as a thanksgiving drinking game. Or, whenever someone says turkey, take a shot!

My little sister got me a flask as a graduation gift. It's been sitting in that box from Things Remembered for about 6 months now. Thank you for finally giving me a use for it.