Sawdust Party for 10
In case we didn’t have enough stress going on at our house with our remodel, I kinda sorta announced that we should have Thanksgiving at our house. I mean, what kind of American would I be if I just skipped over the most delicious holiday EVER? Martin has been taking the news rather well. (I think it’s the thought of homemade pie.)
My partner in crime is a fabulous American named Katie. If I had to tell you one thing that has completely transformed my experience as an expat, it would be Katie. Having an American friend in Germany has meant so much. We can crack jokes about Crisco (something you can’t find in Germany) and McDonalds (something you find everywhere). Plus her name is Katie, so I know she’s got to be Amazing. (Thanks Katie!) And if that weren’t enough, she married a superb German guy… also named Martin.
The four of us – two Katies and two Martins – have sent out an invitation for ten people. TEN! Martin’s going to need an extra slice of pie.
Preparing for Thanksgiving in Germany has been really interesting. Nothing is pre-made like pies and cranberry sauce. We’re buying fresh cranberries imported from Canada (kind of defeats the “local harvest” concept of the holiday, I know), and we’re doing it all from scratch. We have to buy more silverware and find a few plates. I hope our little oven is ready for the challenge. (I hope we are.)
Since Thanksgiving Day is a work day in Germany, we’re having the party on a Sunday. It’ll sort of be like the Thanksgivings I remember – back when stores used to close for the holiday. Everything closes on Sundays in Germany. The law only offers a few exceptions for places like tourist shops, florists, and restaurants. Let’s hope we remember every ingredient.
So here’s where we need your help.
I’ve never hosted anything more than a bridal shower or two, and those were just huge sugar fests. The other Katie, too. Our moms and grandmas were in charge of Thanksgiving in the US. And we’ve just been cooking for our Martins. (Martins eat anything. We love ‘em.)
Any suggestions for two girls preparing for their first big party? We’re kind of nervous. We’re really nervous. What’s tried and true for you?
Oh, and anyone have a spare chair or four?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Ooh how fun! I wish I lived in germany so I could come! Before we had our baby my husband and I were big fans of having parties. We’ve hosted everything from small dinner parties, wine and cheese parties, to buffets for 40 people – in our relatively small house. I have two suggestions for you – write down a timeline now, for the day before and the day of. Include things like what can be cooked and frozen ahead of time, and when to set the table, when to take out the appetizers, etc. Once it’s finalized, keep it handy on the day of the party, so Katie squared both have access to it. And second – have a glass or two of wine before the first guest arrives. Always works like a charm to calm the nerves. Have fun!!
November 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Make absolutely as much as food as you can ahead of time and freeze it, and then things which can be made a few days ahead of time (like the pies, or muffins), do that. The fewer things you have to do that day, the better. That’s the absolute best advice that has gotten me through all the big dinner parties I have had in my little condo. Also, since you don’t have a big freezer, call around and find out where you can store your frozen things — plan that out ahead of time, too. There’s nothing more frustrating than making a big dish and finding out you can’t squash it in your freezer and THEN having to call everyone you know and beg for freezer space, after it’s already made.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Homemade cranberries are much better than the canned kind anyway! I can’t get the canned taste out of my mouth. I’ve got a recipe for cranberries at home. I’ll try to email you this weekend. You’ll really love it. Plus it’s something you need to make the day before and have it sit in the frig at least overnight. one less thing to do the day of.
also, many homes that i’ve been to in germany do more of a buffett style dinner b/c there isn’t much room to sit around the table. but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
good luck and i’m excited to learn how the tday dinner goes in Germany!
November 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
How exciting! I wish I could be of service, but Mark’s family Thanksgiving is usually at mom’s or aunt’s house so I don’t have much advise to give. I just bring in my dish (desert or side) and that’s it.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Make lists and keep it simple. It doesn’t have to be super involved to taste and look great! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
November 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Definitely make everything you can in advance. I think I didn’t post any of my recipes from last year but everything turned out fantastic. We’re not doing anything this year because I may be in the hospital giving birth but we’re probably going to do something similar for Christmas at least. Gotta have a bit traditional feast at least once during the year.
By the way, we use red currants from our garden instead of cranberries and it tastes pretty much the same. In case you want to try something more local :)
Let me know if you need recipes emailed…I’ve got to post all mine from last year…they’ve been sitting on my desk since last year. Yikes!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
You are brave. You are brave. You are brave! …and obviously like a challenge. :) I do the family thing for Thanksgiving, so aside from a few ideas, I would probably not be much help. Let me know if you need me to send you some pumpkin in a can or anything. I couldn’t imagine doing everything from scratch!
November 8th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Hey Katie – I can’t believe I picked out some German chocolate – I had no idea! You know, my aunt is German. I am going to have to ask her what part she’s from. (She’s been here for at least 40 years.)
Congratulations on your Thanksgiving – how fun! I think the best advice I could give is don’t worry about everything being perfect. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your guests will feel. I used to try and make everything perfect, & I would always be so stressed out by the time it rolled around. Now I just try to go with the flow, because even if things don’t turn out exactly as planned, I know we’re making memories with people we hold dear. Sometimes the things that don’t go as planned are the ones that make the fondest memories. :0)
November 8th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Given the size of your kitchen (and especially that stove), you might want to buy the turkey precooked and have all your guests bring sides, which you mentioned in your message on my blog that you were doing. But, you are right, it is not all about the food, so I’m guessing you’ll have a good time even if half the turkey is sticking out of the oven… .
November 8th, 2008 at 2:04 am
FUN!! I have some ideas for you and am going to come back and share when I have more time! Can’t wait to snoop around your blog some more! Thanks for stopping by mine & your oh so sweet words! :)
November 8th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Hi little brave Katie #1 & #2…I used to be a great cook…underline the used to be part! With just the two of us, I don’t cook so much anymore and it’s true…use it or lose it…Anyway, go to AllRecipes.com…not only will you find wonderful recipes with ratings, but a guide to increase or decrease the servings. Best of luck, I have no doubt you’ll do great! ;-) Bo
November 8th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Since you have limited oven space (as do I) and that can make large meals very challenging, do you have a slow cooker? If so, I’ve got an incredibly yummy dressing recipe for you. Let me know if you’d like it–I’ll be posting it in a couple of weeks anyway if you’re not sure:)
November 8th, 2008 at 6:45 am
This sounds like so much fun…challenging but fun. :) The best of luck to you! And I’m pretty much a newbie as well – I’ve done Thanksgiving twice but only once for a large group. I’d say you’re halfway there with having the guests bring a dish. That helps so much! Most of my recipes aren’t from “scratch” so I don’t know how much help I could be.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:12 am
I completely agree with the suggestion to buy your turkey pre-cooked, and yes, make as many things as you can ahead of time. Great idea to have your guests bring dishes, too.
I love to entertain, and the best advice I can give you for hosting Thanksgiving or any party or dinner is to relax. Do as much as you can ahead of time, so you can enjoy the get-together. There’s nothing worse than feeling stressed out and not being able to enjoy your guests.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Hi Katie…..first, thanks for stopping by my blog……We love Germany and have so many good memories of our trips there. Always in the winter so we really remember the cold cold weather….and the snow!! I always make for Thanksgiving individual onion tarts and I bet your German friends would love them and they are simple to make. I use the frozen mini tart shells. You just take a jar of baby onions and make a white sauce (butter, flour, milk salt and pepper) stir in the onions then fill the tart shells. Sprinkle a little mixture of melted butter and bread crumbs on top and bake at 350 for about 15/20 minutes. Everybody loves them….Have fun and remember everybody loves when someone else is cooking so they really don’t care what the food is……..Sue in Atlanta
November 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Whatever can be made ahead of time is a plus. Like your pies can be made the day or two before, your cranberry sauce the night before, your mashed potatoes. Your turkey will be monopolizing that oven most of the morning on that Sunday :0), unless you can find one precooked. I feel inspired to do some more “scratch” items this year. Perhaps I will do a cranberry sauce from scratch. I can’t wait to hear how it all comes together! Hugs!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Katie, I have an award for you. Stop by my blog to pick it up. :-)
November 9th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Hey Katie – thanks for stopping by – how fun!! Your party looks like it will be a blast! Best of luck to you on your cooking – we’re sure everything will all work out!
Karla & Karrie
November 9th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Phew! I feel certain that we can do this now!
I’ve broken down my part into lists of things to get, days to get things done, etc. I can’t wait to try homemade cranberry sauce! And the best thing about it? Doesn’t need my tiny stove, so something else can be cooking there.
Thank you all.
Katie
November 10th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Katie,
I am very sure everything will be ok. Don’t stress up to much and keep it simple :) And if you need some help, just let me know.
Don’t worry, be happy :)
Vica,
and thanks for your nice comments on my new blog.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I am so excited for you! I always love cranberry orange bread. Are you going to be making your sweet potatoes? Oh, I love Thanksgiving!
November 10th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Awww, thank you Katie. I like to think I am fabulous, but now you just confirmed it. Ooh, let’s get together so we can watch my head swell!
I made my timetable, too. It seems like I’ll be doing something every day this week, but it works out fine for me. Little Lea will get my attention and I’ll be getting stuff done. I sure wish it’d always be like that.
Now, seriously, to all of you out there. Katie calls me fabulous, but in reality, she is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I just want you guys to know that. I feel so lucky to have her as a friend. If only there were more people like you, Katie….
And tell Martin not to worry about the pie. That is all under control. I am making both pies sweet potato.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Hi Katie :)
See if you can find a roaster big enough to cook the turkey. It frees up the oven for all the side dishes :)
Oh and good luck!! :)
rue
November 11th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Hey, thanks for linking up on Making a Happy Home Monday. I’ll have to come back to this. Looks like fun.
I don’t know if you normally read, but come back tomorrow for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Just in the last 3-4 weeks, I have printed my Thanksgiving menu and am giving detailed instructions on preparation.
I’m just laughing….2 Martins, 2 Katies and no Crisco. LOL!!!!!