268600 557 Holidays & Celebrations Thanksgiving true Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:17:39 -0800 /system/videos/4/67/02/27/270267.flv hosting,throwing,party,thanksgiving,food,guests,giving,setting,preparing,ready,celebrating,house,decorating How To Host Your First Thanksgiving Dinner http://www.howcast.com/videos/268600-How-To-Host-Your-First-Thanksgiving-Dinner http://www.howcast.com/videos/268600-How-To-Host-Your-First-Thanksgiving-Dinner/edit approved 133 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=268600"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=268600" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 4 carlo_scialla http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/host_your_first_thanksgiving_dinner_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 504 false false false 100937 0 23 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/23.jpg Check logistics Figure out if you have enough chairs, seating space, and tableware. Borrow from friends and neighbors to fill any holes. Or check out a thrift store; if you don’t need or want it afterward, donate it back.

]]> 100938 1 34 Tip Throw some cushions on the floor around your coffee table and let little guests eat there.

]]> 100939 2 39 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/39.jpg Call your guests Call your guests so you’ll have a handle on how many people are coming – and an excuse to fish for contributions. People often want to contribute, especially if it ensures that their holiday favorite will be on the table.

]]> 100940 3 50 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/50.jpg Ask for help Don’t be shy about asking for assistance before, during, and after. You’ll need all the help you can preparing the food, getting your home ready, serving, and cleaning up afterward.

]]> 100941 4 61 Tip If your budget allows, hire a cleaning service a day or two before.

]]> 100942 5 65 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/65.jpg Plan to have all the favorites Honor traditions; even if you personally think that green bean casserole is disgusting and cranberry jelly out of a can a disgrace. If it’s important to someone, serve it – and let them take the leftovers home.

]]> 100943 6 77 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/77.jpg Cook two birds Consider cooking two small turkeys instead of one big one. They’re easier to handle, cook faster and more uniformly, and are more tender and juicy than a large, older bird. Plus, they provide twice as many drumsticks!

]]> 100944 7 89 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/89.jpg Finalize your menu Finalize your menu and go shopping. Figure out what you can make a day or two ahead so that the big day is not such a rush. And remember: Now is not the time to attempt a dish you’ve never tried.

]]> 100945 8 100 Tip Plan on these per-person servings: 1¼ lbs. turkey, 1/3 c. gravy, ½ c. mashed potatoes, ½ c. of each vegetable side dish, ¼ c. cranberry dressing, ½ c. stuffing; two dinner rolls; and 1/8 pie.

]]> 100946 9 116 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/268600/116.jpg Make a simple centerpiece Make a simple table centerpiece out of a bowl of small gourds and mini-pumpkins and line the table with votive candles. You’re all set!

]]> 100947 10 124 Fact The Pilgrims carried a supply of beer on the Mayflower, in part because it was safer to drink than water.

]]> 557 65356 How To Solve the Most Common Thanksgiving Dinner Disasters HowcastGuide 1779 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:31:10 -0800 13 Milkhouse ]]> 196 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/56/53/06/65356.flv preparing, food, meal, cooking, making, avoiding, problems, holiday, smoothly, easy Holidays & Celebrations Thanksgiving 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/65356/milkhouse_thanksgiving_disasters_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/65356-How-To-Solve-the-Most-Common-Thanksgiving-Dinner-Disasters 557 70614 How To Cut the Post-Thanksgiving Dinner Cleanup in Half HowcastGuide 1109 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:31:10 -0800 11 Milkhouse ]]> 150 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/14/06/07/70614.flv holidays, celebrations, thanksgiving, dinner, cleaning, cutting, shorter, faster, meal, washing Holidays & Celebrations Thanksgiving 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/70614/thanksgiving_cleanup_hd_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/70614-How-To-Cut-the-PostThanksgiving-Dinner-Cleanup-in-Half 523 5955 How To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo HowcastGuide 2595 Fri, 02 May 2008 11:58:23 -0700 15 adamjohnson ]]> 111 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/55/59/5955.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration, celebrations, parties, party, celebrate, celebrating, cinco, de, mayo, 5, 5th, may, mexico, Mexican, independence, day Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/5955/celebrate_cinco_de_mayo_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/5955-How-To-Celebrate-Cinco-De-Mayo 523 113483 How To Make Confetti HowcastGuide 2098 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:04:33 -0800 15 Milkhouse ]]> 192 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/83/34/11/113483.flv holidays, celebrations, making, showering, home, throwing, celebrating, parties, party, new Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113483/confetti_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/113483-How-To-Make-Confetti 523 145303 How To Escape a Bad Party Conversation HowcastGuide 4381 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:08:42 -0800 11 bencheek ]]> 88 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/03/53/14/145303.flv holidays, celebrations, escaping, losing, talking, leaving, social, etiquette, socializing, meeting Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/145303/escape_bad_party_conversation_sd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/145303-How-To-Escape-a-Bad-Party-Conversation 523 262327 How To Dress Properly According To the Invitation HowcastGuide 1504 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:06:08 -0700 12 CharlesH ]]> 147 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/58/17/26/261758.flv dressing,properly,etiquette,fashion,style,invitaiton,party,semiformal,formal,dressy,casual,wearing,clothes,clothing Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262327/Charles_Huettner_Dress_Right_hd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262327-How-To-Dress-Properly-According-To-the-Invitation 523 253649 How To Set Up a Hayride HowcastGuide 1375 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:05:45 -0700 6 Equilibrio ]]> 103 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/51/85/25/258551.flv setting,up,haunted,hayride,hay,ride,giving,halloween,celebrating,scary,making,creating Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/253649/SET_UP_A_HAYRIDE_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/253649-How-To-Set-Up-a-Hayride 523 262698 How To Celebrate the Holidays in an Interfaith Marriage HowcastGuide 179 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 0 bencheek ]]> 107 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/37/73/26/267337.flv celebrating,holidays,interfaith,jewish,catholic,christian,wife,husband,religious,traditions,honoring,balancing,christmas,hanukkah,both Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262698/interfaith_marriage_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262698-How-To-Celebrate-the-Holidays-in-an-Interfaith-Marriage 526 39947 How To Snag the Best Bargains on Black Friday HowcastGuide 5543 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:01:39 -0800 16 carlo_scialla ]]> 126 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/47/99/03/39947.flv holidays, christmas, shopping, bargains, discounts, saving, money, buying, gifts, presents Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/39947/black_friday_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/39947-How-To-Snag-the-Best-Bargains-on-Black-Friday 526 70824 How To Pick Up Extra Cash At Holiday Time HowcastGuide 2551 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:02:39 -0800 9 Jordana_Giorgio ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/24/08/07/70824.flv holidays, christmas, xmas, making, money, side, jobs, working, seasonal Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/70824/extra_cash_holidays_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/70824-How-To-Pick-Up-Extra-Cash-At-Holiday-Time 526 95545 How To Choose a Real Christmas Tree HowcastGuide 1491 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:15:46 -0800 7 carlo_scialla ]]> 104 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/45/55/09/95545.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, christmas Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/95545/choose_xmas_tree_hd_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/95545-How-To-Choose-a-Real-Christmas-Tree 526 262449 How To Give Secret Santa Gifts People Will Actually Like HowcastGuide 230 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:17:35 -0800 2 vinzfeller ]]> 108 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/71/81/26/268171.flv giving,secret,santa,gifts,christmas,presents,picking,choosing,deciding,exchanging Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262449/secret_santa_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262449-How-To-Give-Secret-Santa-Gifts-People-Will-Actually-Like 526 262684 How To Celebrate Christmas on a Budget HowcastGuide 210 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 2 carlo_scialla ]]> 118 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/18/73/26/267318.flv celebrating,christmas,budget,money,spending,cheaper,economy,less,buying,smarter,deals,bargains Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262684/christmas_budget_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262684-How-To-Celebrate-Christmas-on-a-Budget 526 262692 How To Host Your First Christmas Dinner HowcastGuide 420 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:03:30 -0800 1 carlo_scialla ]]> 134 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/28/73/26/267328.flv hosting,throwing,party,christmas,dinner,eve,food,guests,giving,setting,preparing,ready,celebrating,house,decorating Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262692/first_christmas_dinner_hdstill02_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262692-How-To-Host-Your-First-Christmas-Dinner 526 262706 How To Pick the Perfect Stocking Stuffer HowcastGuide 218 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:32:38 -0800 2 vinzfeller ]]> 82 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/99/81/26/268199.flv holidays,celebrations,picking,choosing,perfect,stocking,stuffers,christmas,presents,gifts,giving,presents Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/262706/perfect_stocking_stuffer_hdstill01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/262706-How-To-Pick-the-Perfect-Stocking-Stuffer