I’m not going to lie. Thanksgiving generally is a whirlwind around these parts. Most of the reason behind it is because of our total lack of planning. Even though a lot of our family lives right next door (literally), we are all extremely busy and by the time we plan out what we are going to do it is usually the week right before. While we haven’t had any major mishaps, there have been the occasional uh-ohs that have been resolved easily. In the end, what really matters is that we were able to spend time together and have fun.
The biggest mistakes that have happened is not having enough turkey (not that anyone truly cared) or purchasing spaghetti squash instead of butternut (we just made it work). So, our Thanksgiving Mishaps generally turn into Thanksgiving “Make-it-Work-and-Move-on”. I have learned a few things over the years about the actual cooking part and that is to try to spread the wealth as much as possible. Have family members and friends sign-up to bring different parts of the meal so that all of the pressure is not on just one person. Also, we have gone from cooking the traditional turkey to slow cooking a turkey roast. Everyone seems to enjoy this much more and we have leftovers that we can actually stomach the next day!
In honor of Thanksgiving and all of the things that go on around that time of year, Walmart has created a Thanksgiving Mishaps website that features tips and tricks from Chef Richard Ingraham. Check out his videos and friendly face! You may be surprised at what you will learn.
Now Walmart would like to provide you with a $50 gift card in order to help your Thanksgiving be a little less stressful! Here’s How to Win:
This is part of a sponsored post by Walmart. These are my honest opinions and ideas. Please see my Terms of Use for more info.
Subscribe to Go Graham Go! by Email as well as follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+!
kathy pease says
my kids are older and we share the cooking everyone is in charge of cooking one dish
Courtnie says
Make sure everyone gets a say in what is for dinner. Everyone should get to have at least one thing they like for a side dish.
Heather says
My tip is just to relax and have a good time! It’s not the end of the world if everything doesn’t go perfectly.
Noreen says
Make the pie ahead of time and remember to defrost the turkey 🙂
Missy L says
My tip is to remember that the reason for the gathering is for Thanksgiving and together time- not to judge how the food turned out or how clean the house is.
Cindy Munkelt says
our power went out with the turkey only half done and no potatos or veggies cooked – so we had to cook everything outside on the grill during a snow storm
mary gardner says
choose as many items as possible for the menu that can be made a day or two ahead of time.
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
Debra Ford says
I don’t have any mishaps to report…..I’m good at delegating, so all the work doesn’t fall on one person.
Charity S says
Ask for help, try not to stress, and give thanks for the important things in life.
Brandy Farmer says
Make the turkey and dessert earlier than everything else
Beth Palacios says
I learned to leave the cooking up to my mom 😉
Kerrie Mayans says
I try to prepare as much ahead of time as possible and if anyone offers to bring something, I let them! 🙂
Abby C. says
My Thanksgiving tip is to make cooking a fun event, not a stressful one. Give yourself plenty of time to get everything done so you’re not rushed and allow others to help if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
Vicki D. says
Whatever the mishaps I’ve had, such as lumpy gravy or everything not being done on time, luckily as time goes by, I’ve forgotten them all. Now, I just try to enjoy our family, and keep the dinner as simple as possible.
Trisha McKee says
I’m fortunate enough to have my aunt help me with the food, so not many mishaps here except last year we forgot to make mashed potatoes – the one food my picky daughter loves!
s riches says
Have a childrens’ table
Laura Proctor Unger says
The first time I made cranberry sauce I didn’t know you had to boil the cranberries until they popped, I tried with electric beaters, a potato masher, and destroyed a pan in the process of trying to get them to pop. I’m glad I learned from that mistake.
Jeanette H. says
Make sure you have all the food you will need, possibly even extras, just incase other family shows up (:
Jess W says
Buy groceries early because the popular items usually sell out quickly!
Cassandra M says
one year the turkey bag caught on fire
McKim says
I cook my turkey in an electric roaster so that it leaves my regular oven free for baking bread, pies, etc.
Vikki Billings says
Just remember to breath! These are your friends and family and they will love anything that you do for them.
Jodi J. says
My tip is teamwork. My mom and I cook together, so it makes everything easier.
Amber Porter says
Don’t be so serious and realize that everything does not have to be perfect!
AEKZ2 says
My tip is to not overdo anything or try to be too fancy. Simple is the best.
Jill L says
I bought a frozen turkey the night before Thanksgiving. Guess I wasn’t really thinking. Needless to say, we ate pizza on Thanksgiving day. Had our actual dinner a couple days later.
Becky S. says
I’d actually be open for advice this year, as we are having Thanksgiving by ourselves (the 5 members of our household). I want to make it special, even though we aren’t having a big family get-together.
beckytag618 at gmail dot com
Aaron Bretveld says
My best trick is to make as much as possible the day before thinksgiving so there is less to do the day of.
Roxann says
Try to make as much food ahead as you possibly can. This will keep you out of the kitchen and having fun with your guests.
Tim Moss says
I haven’t really had any mishaps. I just let someone else worry with it. 😉
Samantha says
Always remember the bread! We forget to bring the bed the last two years!
julie hawkins says
My tip is have everyone bring a dish for a stress free thanksgiving potluck
Karine Traverse says
Forgetting to defrost the turkey. One year I forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer a few days in advance and come Thanksgiving morning it was still half frozen. Luckily my hubby was quick thinking and we got some warm water and gave it a bath in that.
Gaines Simmons says
Hello, how are you? Thank you for this opportunity. I start my cooking at midnight, because everything will be ready when I receive visitors later in the morning and afternoon. It leaves time to rest and shop.
jane says
Mishaps…………no never! LOL.
Just lots of love, laughter and thankfulness
just4jane4@yahoo.com
Richard Hicks says
Try to have EVERYTHING ready before guests arrive!
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Richard Hicks says
youtube id is brich222222
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Misses Giveaways says
if you have people around that can help, have them do so!
Amy Orvin says
A tip I have is start cooking early that way you won’t feel rushed and burn the food or have the food come out tasting bad.
Amy Orvin says
Youtube subscriber as 2dogs5catscrew
Lisa L says
My tip is to try own new recipes weeks before so you know how it turns out & if you need to change anything
Lisa L says
Oops. I meant *try out
Beverly Metcalf says
My tip is, do as much as you can before Thanksgiving arrives. I always do the pies the day before. Thanks for this contest!
Janell Smith says
Thanks for the giveaway…sure will help out at this time of year 🙂 my tip is to make a list ans stick to it.
Shirley Zolenski says
One of my first Thanksgivings I didn’t thaw the turkey soon enough
Gianna says
Make desserts the day before and time everything the day of.
meme says
my tip is to give the turkey plenty of time to thaw one year mine was pink towards the bone because I didn’t give it enough time to thaw not good at all
latisha depoortere says
We don’t have any mishaps everything gets put together really good !
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…for best results, you must soak the turkey in brine before roasting !
LaMar Hortman says
Get all your wine beforehand.
trixx says
I make appetizers and side dishes days before & freeze them