The Thanksgiving Mega Thread

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving with my folks for the first time in years.  Now granted two years ago they were with me but I was delivering another kind of turkey via C-section! 

I love Thanksgiving and have always celebrated it no matter where I was or what country I was in! 

We had three very successful Thanksgivings with near 20 people each time in the UK and even some years with multiple celebrations for family and then others for friends (usually on Saturday).   

I love fresh Cranberry relish Elynor and BostonDiner!  I use one that has some spice in it and also grated apples the recipe is courtesy of Balmerhon.  It's become a staple in our house.  It's somewhere on this site!

I love fresh Cranberry relish Elynor and BostonDiner!  I use one that has some spice in it and also grated apples the recipe is courtesy of Balmerhon.  It's become a staple in our house.  It's somewhere on this site!

That recipe was handed down to me from my Grandmother and Mother. Here's the link!

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=38562.0

It keeps in the fridge quite well for post-Tday snacking!

Thanksgiving with my extended family would be...
Relish tray (olives black & green, pickles sweet & dill, stuffed celery)
Stuffed mushrooms
Turkey
Cornbread & bacon stuffing
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Candied yams or Sweet potato souffle
Green bean casserole
Cranberry salad (with mini marshmallows, cool whip, pecans)
Waldorf salad
Homemade rolls
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie

I'm really going to miss watching the Macy's parade on tv.  And football. 

I'm really going to miss watching the Macy's parade on tv.

I wonder if you'll be able to see the parade online at all?

If it's being broadcast on a network site, you should be able to watch it even if it's blocked to UK viewers.  People have posted programs that can help you do it.  I've not tried one, but those who have say they work.

I wonder if sky sports will have the american football game on.

I am going to make this.

I wonder if sky sports will have the american football game on.

Yes, they'll have all the games on

So as well as food and football!! is there anything else I need to be aware of to start planning ?? for example decorations and so fourth ? what sort of things do you decorate your house with...what is considered going "over the top" for thanksgiving??

So as well as food and football!! is there anything else I need to be aware of to start planning ?? for example decorations and so fourth ? what sort of things do you decorate your house with...what is considered going "over the top" for thanksgiving??

No American flags!  Just lots of autumn leaves and harvesty decorations.  And turkeys.

http://www.partypacks.co.uk/list.asp?urx=cd:gr;dt:PTHK;zk:zID17104042J;&gclid=CNL39bn2mpYCFQSB1AodjkkaiQ

The cutouts, decorations and centrepieces are OK.  The rest are not so good. 

No American flags!  Just lots of autumn leaves and harvesty decorations.  And turkeys.

Damn it! I will have to post back that 6ft x 8ft flag I bought for the cieling! only kidding 

Are there any stores in the UK that sell Thanksgiving items??

Damn it! I will have to post back that 6ft x 8ft flag I bought for the cieling! only kidding 

Are there any stores in the UK that sell Thanksgiving items??

I modified my post with a link.  Where are you?  Party shops in London and Surrey will have stuff.  I'm not sure about anywhere else.

I modified my post with a link.  Where are you?  Party shops in London and Surrey will have stuff.  I'm not sure about anywhere else.

Cheers Mindy....*note to self*..do not order cut out of Statue of Liberty....Hmmmnnn...lol.

I live near Winchester..but my brother who I visit very often lives in West Byfleet Surrey..so I can get there easy enough and I quite often go to London too..I am sure I will be in both before Thanksgiving 

Just a vote of confidence for the partypacks website. I got my stuff for my 4th of July party from there and it was reasonly priced and got to me in a week with no problems. Definitely recommend.

Yes, I realize it's still September, but I adore Thanksgiving.  The cooking, the smells, the friends.  And this year- some of my family's coming over.  I'm psyched. 

This year it'll be my largest- 17.  Serving:
Turkey- overall 24 lbs (11kg)
Whole Turkey- 9 kg (20lbs)
Turkey Crown 2 kg (4lbs)
Gravy
Stuffing (2 large uncut loaves worth)
Mashed Potatoes- 6 lbs (2.7kg)
Candied Sweet Potatoes- 8 lbs (3.6kg)
Corn Casserole w/dumplings (4cups corn)
Green Beans- 6 lbs (2.7kg)
Cranberry sauce

Pumpkin Cake
Apple Crumble
Pear Cheesecake

I think that'll be enough- they're pretty big eaters.  Any suggestions for amounts?  I'm paranoid that I'll run out of food.  Did I mention they're big eaters. 

What are you all doing for Thanksgiving?

my family regularly has 30+ people for Thanksgiving and we usually have a 40lb Tom and I have no idea the measurements for the potatoes and stuff, but we have Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, extra stuffing, peas, corn, and lima beans, rolls, canned cranberry and fresh cranberry sauce, several pumpkin pies, a mince meat pie, banana cream cake, chocolate cake, and fruit salad and no one has ever left hungry  

This year will be the first year I've EVER missed Thanksgiving....I'm kind of bummed and wished I had thought about it before booking my trip.