Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Cleaning
Not enough serving dishes? Spilled wine? Can't cook? We've got your Thanksgiving problems covered.Thanksgiving Problem #1: You don't have enough matching plates for your table.
Solution:
First, stop stressing. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and spending time with family, not about a picture-perfect table. If you don't have enough matching plates to set the table, mix in a few plain white dishes. The trick is not to mix in the oddball plate in pairs: Try putting one at the head of the table, so that it looks like a purposeful pattern. (The same technique can be applied to napkins, silverware or stemware).
Dry turkey? Spilled wine? We've got your Thanksgiving dilemmas solved. Photos: Left: Larry Crowe, AP Right: Corbis
Thanksgiving Problem #2: You don't own table linens to meet the needs of your crowd.
Solution:
Don't resort to paper napkins! Buy several yards of cotton fabric and a pair of pinking shears at a craft store. Cut a piece of the cloth to size for the length of your table with the pinking shears (this will prevent fraying). Then use the pinking shears to cut 20-inch squares from the remaining cloth to make napkins.
Thanksgiving Problem #3: There aren't enough serving dishes for all your menu items.
Solution:
First, examine your cookware: Are there any casserole dishes that could be set directly onto the buffet? Use them! Likewise an attractive enamel pot or a copper pan is a fine substitute for a formal serving dish. If guests are bringing dishes, ask them to bring serving pieces for their contributions. Lastly, get creative: Fill a large vase with dinner rolls or pile roasted vegetables into a pretty ceramic cache pot.
Thanksgiving Problem #4: Your uncle spilled half a bottle of red white on your antique white linens.
Solution:
Don't whip the linens off the table mid-meal. Even if you let the stain sit, red wine should be relatively easy to remove. As a temporary measure, blot up excess liquid with a clean, white cloth, then cover the stained area with a clean napkin and enjoy the rest of the meal. Here, specific tips for removing a red wine stain.
Thanksgiving Problem #5: You're a terrible cook.
Solution:
Cheat! Pick a few simple dishes you can make yourself, like mashed potatoes; then pick up pre-made versions of the rest of your sides and desserts. For the bird itself, Butterball has taken much of the guesswork out of the process. Their website, Butterball.com offers how-to videos for every step of the turkey cooking process for novice chefs. Still need help? They've established a turkey talk line (800-BUTTERBALL) for last-minute dilemmas.
Thanksgiving Problem #6: Every year your turkey turns out dry.
Solution:
Hold your breath, the secret to a perfectly cooked turkey is to cut up the bird before cooking it. In a recent guide to Thanksgiving cooking, The New York Times advised, "Abandon the Norman Rockwell ideal of serving a whole turkey in its golden-roasted splendor. If your bird looks like that, [Bobby] Flay said: 'Something's wrong. Something's either overcooked or undercooked.' To achieve the correct balance, he said: 'I roast the meat until the breasts are done, and then cut off the legs and thighs. The breasts can rest, and you can cook off the legs in the drippings left in the pan.'"
Thanksgiving Problem #7: You have more guests than guest bedrooms.
Solution:
If you'll have guests sleeping on the couch or an air mattress in the living room, be sure to make them as comfortable as possible. Don't just give them a blanket and expect them to fend for themselves. Make the makeshift bed up with sheets and a pillow and show your guest where he/she can stash them upon waking. Supply a travel alarm clock, a glass for water and a luggage rack or bench for their bags.
8. Dilemma: Your leftovers go bad before you can eat everything.
Thanksgiving Problem #8:
First, don't leave the meat on the turkey carcass; instead, cut off all the meat in large pieces and store it in Tupperware or plastic bags. Then use the carcass to make stock. If you have a large quantity of a side dish leftover, freeze it. For ideal results, cool foods completely before placing them in the freezer, and remove excess air from containers whenever possible.
Thanksgiving Problem #9: You discover candle wax has dripped all over your favorite tablecloth.
Solution:
In her book Home Comforts, Cheryl Mendelson recommends the following technique, "Harden with ice, then remove surface wax with a dull knife. Place wax stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron. Replace paper towels regularly to absorb more wax and to prevent transferring the stain. Place stain face down on clean paper towels. Sponge remaining stain with a pre-wash stain remover or dry-cleaning fluid; blot with paper towels. Let dry, then launder."
Our fearless cleaning writer Allison Lind tested the method -- to great success. See her tips here.
And if you haven't already seen our sister site's guide to last minute Thanksgiving fixes (we're talking unsticking doors, removing mattress stains and all that good stuff) go find out how to fix your house for the holidays!
Check out the rest of ShelterPop's Thanksgiving coverage!
Or if you're looking for crafts, our sister site Holidash has a fantastic video on corn table crafts!
And of course no Thanksgiving is complete without KitchenDaily's amazing Thanksgiving recipes.