With Thanksgiving Day just a few weeks away, it’s time to finalize your menu. Choosing between turkey, ham, or perhaps something different can feel like a big decision. Once you make that choice, you can start thinking about appetizers, side dishes, and desserts that will delight everyone’s taste buds.
It can be overwhelming coordinating who’s bringing what, especially to avoid duplicates like having five versions of cranberry salad! Just remember, the most important thing is sharing this special time with loved ones. You’ve got this!
One wonderful aspect of our God is that He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper. He will assist you whenever and wherever you need Him—this includes everything from planning your menu to managing your loved ones. All you have to do is ask and listen.
Every family holds dear certain "must-have" dishes that capture the essence of the holiday season. For me, green bean casserole—rich with creamy goodness and topped with crisp, fried onions—no holiday feast is the same without it! However, when my sons relocated to Colorado and celebrated Thanksgiving with their new friends, I was stunned to discover that they had never even heard of my beloved dish. Meanwhile, my daughter-in-law has added green spaghetti to the must-have list for their holiday meals. And there's no question that Grandma’s homemade noodles, lovingly crafted from her recipe, are a vital part of our feast.
Embracing those cherished traditional recipes allows us to feel our loved ones' presence during the holidays.
I've noticed over the years that some of those "must-have" dishes change. Perhaps since Grandma is no longer with us and no one can make noodles like she did, Mom’s casserole has taken her place. The kids grow up, and suddenly nobody wants to eat the Jello cutouts anymore. Then there's Auntie's infamous salad—the one that no one likes but she insists on bringing to every holiday gathering. Out of courtesy, we all take a spoonful for our plates, but it inevitably ends up in the garbage.
Along with our tried and true family favorites, I'm always on the lookout for that next delicious dish to add to our must-have list! One or two new recipes find their way to our table every year, some more successful than others. The creamed onions turned out nasty, but Strawberry Pretzel Salad made the list. With several of the family having diabetes, The Gourmet Cupboard has a sugar-free version that I'm looking forward to trying.
Our "must-have" list also changes along with food trends and the availability of ingredients. The classic Thanksgiving menu of turkey, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and root vegetables is based on New England fall harvests, but not everyone had access to those foods.
As a result, the Thanksgiving menus varied by region depending on what they had available in their area. So, in the south, you might see ham, sweet potatoes, and cornbread dressing on their table. That sounds great to me!
It got me thinking about what a Thanksgiving table must have looked like 100 years ago. I found on a 1920s menu, you typically would find turkey, stuffing, parched corn, meat pies, cider-glazed vegetables, persimmon pudding, pumpkin pie, and fruit cakes. I tried making parched corn one year—not a success. And persimmon pudding doesn't sound like it would ever make a list of my favorites.
Another "must have" at your Thanksgiving table is the prayer. No matter how or with whom you gather, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and cherishing the blessings in our lives. It offers a moment to reflect on all we are grateful for and to share that gratitude with God, our Father, who makes it all possible. Prayer serves as a beautiful way to do this, especially since it may be the only moment some guests experience it throughout the year. I am in the process of curating a collection of meaningful prayers to feature on my blog later this month. In the meantime, I’d love to share one for you to savor.
What are your family favorites and must-haves? Since I love trying new dishes and am always on the lookout for a new favorite, I'd be delighted if you would share what yours are. Reply in the comments and include the recipe if you want. I look forward to trying some of your favorites!
Want a little help with your menu this year? Check out the side dishes from The Gourmet Cupboard.
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