31. Posted by Dr. Carolyne on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 1:01 pm PST

p.s. kdordelman, I read my 14 yr old daughter and her friend your comment about turkey dung. They thought it was really funny!

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32. Posted by Coach Caprio on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:22 pm PST

It makes me crazy when I go to all that trouble and a guest shows up looking like he just rolled out of bed. I must disagree with irenault - as a guest it is not my place to suggest a prayer. I do not pray and have had guests come into my home and make an issue of having my husband do the prayer. It should be up to the host and hostess to set that standard.

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33. Posted by nesmith52 on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:23 pm PST

My mother always has a huge Thanksgiving dinner and we never know who she has invited each year. It can be anybody from the mailman and his family to one of her co-workers families, to the gas station attendent. She loves to invite everyone to Thanksgiving dinner and see who shows up. We have about 20 regular family members who come every year and usually at least 10-20 extra guests. Now my father just stays out of the way and enjoys the food, but if anyone calls and asks if they can bring anything, he always tells them to bring a pint of Haagen-Daas ice cream any flavor. He meets everybody at the door and if they have brought ice cream, he takes it straight to the freezer and stores it away. After Thanksgiving, he has lots of his favorite ice cream in all different flavors to eat for weeks afterwards. He just loves it and thinks he is so funny with all his ice cream. But, do you know nobody has ever asked what happened to the ice cream and why it was not served at Thanksgiving. My mom is 73 now and I am hoping we can start having smaller gatherings because she cooks herself into a frenzy, but I guess maybe it keeps her going and she loves it. PS. She makes the best stuffing (or dressing as we call it in the south) in the world. The absolute best with cornbread, onions, celery, strong chicken broth and the turkey drippings. Yummy can't wait.

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34. Posted by sunfire gurlie on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:26 pm PST

WHAT IS WRONG WITH JEANS?? YOUR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS RIGHT!!?? THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING COMFORTABLE AND BEING YOURSELF!! YOUR GOING TO DINNER AND GIVING THANKS TO GOD AND LAST I CHECKED GOD DOESN'T LOOK AT WHAT U R WEARING!!!! DONT FORGET THIS SEASON PEOPLE TO GIVE THANX TO THE ONE WHO BROUGHT HERE AGAIN THIS YEAR!! GOD BLESS!! SUNFIRE_GURLIE

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35. Posted by onefinalstep on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:28 pm PST

Wow, Remind me never to come to your house for Thanksgiving. Lighten up and stop judging people.

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36. Posted by matilda on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:29 pm PST

good tips and also dont get to drinking to much and ruin it for everyone else and yourself. and remamber this for people to let bygones be bygones and get along and thank god for this day for the family to just enjoy each other god bless us all and enjoy turkey day

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37. Posted by yvettemermaid on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:30 pm PST

Thanks for the comment about having to go dressed up to thanksgiving dinner. I can't stand when people go way too underdressed! It's rude!

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38. Posted by the Wicked Witch on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:31 pm PST

I think number 1 should be "don't get drunk'. Number 11 should be mindful of comments and jokes. Watch what you say...

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39. Posted by Andrew & Callina on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:33 pm PST

I think jeans are fine as long as you make an effort to look nice--jeans can be dressed up very easily with the right top, shoes, etc. Also it depends on who you're having Thanksgiving with--my family wouldn't care if I wore jeans, and there is certainly no need to write a thank you note in my situation, but it's a good idea nonetheless.

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40. Posted by John K on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:40 pm PST

number one suggestion is number one. great info for the " y" generation.

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41. Posted by Shawna M on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:44 pm PST

lol@dr

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42. Posted by soonersandy on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 2:48 pm PST

Your list is right on the money. There are many people who are ignorant about manners and the protocal that should be followed which actually makes the holiday more enjoyable for everyone involved. I believe too many people are too self centered to make sure the holiday is nice for everyone,especially the hostess who has gone through so much trouble for you.

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43. Posted by Lorelei S on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 3:32 pm PST

This is a never do: One year (the only year) my mother inlaw came to dinner, she asked can I bring anything? I said no. She proceeded to bring all her own sides, I mean everything even a salad. With only enough for her and her husband. I am a great cook and have been a professional. She never tried any of my recipes. She said she brought her own because she likes her recepies at Thanksgiving. I was horrified. Just thought I'd share a "never do this"

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44. Posted by Wolf on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 3:50 pm PST

I would say the correspondence between Dr. Carolyne and kdordelman sums up my Thanksgiving family memories nicely. Thanks to you both. Happy Thanksgiving!

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45. Posted by &&&&&&&&&&& on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 4:03 pm PST

its a nice tip maggie

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46. Posted by b_nerka on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 4:06 pm PST

Loved the list but how about 10 things a good hostess should not do I have a few that I can think of

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47. Posted by b_nerka on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 4:06 pm PST

Loved the list but how about 10 things a good hostess should not do I have a few that I can think of

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48. Posted by Nova on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 4:50 pm PST

Wearing jeans or dress is irrelevant! Thanksgiving is not like a wedding. What matter is you are physically present and be thankful to God for all the blessing he showered each one of us. Just like going to church , God doesn't care about what you wear as long as you are sincere and heartily praying the same thing with Thanksgiving day. Happy holiday and May God bless you all.

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49. Posted by Blue on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 5:03 pm PST

Really, number 23 and 28. I'm unclear about why you would be so against this list unless you exhibit this type of behavior. This list would be helpful to some who are not certain exactly what they SHOULD do. Additionally, remembering that we are a multicultural society, as number 27 states, is important. Though different people celebrate in different ways, the very basis of this list is common sense for just about ANY social gathering. Dress appropriately, if you're going to offer, be sincere, don't fake a compliment... Basic stuff. Number 28, I certainly hope that those who enjoy the holiday meal with you are on your same wavelength. None of us want to be "that" guest.

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50. Posted by i can't dance either on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 5:05 pm PST

If the host states not to bring anything they usually mean it. Your favorite grandmother's creamed corn dish may compete with the host's own dish. I always appreciate an offer to help clear the table and assist with after dinner clean up. With left overs to deal with and pies to dish up, I too, want to enjoy the company. However, others may not want the help, they have their own system to clean the silver, crystal and china.

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51. Posted by stephiecreek on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 5:43 pm PST

Thanksgiving is a Thanks to God for all of our blessings! It is not "lets see who can dress the best, etc." It is a time to be comfortabe around the people that you love or care about, whether it is your family or friends or it is the homeless, elderly, or orphans that do not have the advantage that a lot of us have. Lets be "REAL" and get into the sprit of Thanksgiving and Christmas that it is meant to be! Happy Thanksgiving==We all have something to be Thankful to God for. Also, please have a Merry Christmas and a New Year that will help you and me to grow and improve us as a people!

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52. Posted by "T" on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 5:44 pm PST

I have been a hostess and a guest and I agree somewhat with the comment above pertaining to how a guest should dress. As a hostess...I couldn't care less on how my guests dress or what they bring. The reason I host the dinner is because I want my family and friends to feel welcome and comfortable. Understand that this is my home and I invited them. SOME PEOPLE do not own dress clothes and who cares. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have, not what others think you should have. It's about being with loved ones, not people who are going to judge you because your ettiquette isn't top notch. I come from a family and an social environment where we were taught that it isnt about receiving but what you can give. And anyone who feels the need to leave a derrogatory reply to mine, feel free to do so, but we all have a right to our opinions. If you are a self-conscious, uptight socialite who feels the need to impress others by being someone you are not....that's your choice, but let me ask you this.......If you invited someone to your gathering and the owned nothing but jeans or sweatpants....would you have chosen to not invite them in the first place for fear they may embarrass you in front of your other friends? If you invited someone to your gathering and they couldn't afford to bring a gift or a dish....would you have chosen to not invite them, if you would have known prior to that? My guest lists includes people I love no matter how they look or what they bring.

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53. Posted by Rick S on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 6:47 pm PST

These were, as many said already common sense. Reading #27 almost made me sick. this is an AMERICAN holiday remember? we are multicultural BUT this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ALL of our ancestors came here and BLENDED IN with the ways of America. Why should we as Americans (NOT hypenated American's) change OUR customs and ways just to make others feel "welcome" here? THEY chose to come HERE! I am so sick and tired of having to appologize for being an American. If you want to keep your cultures and ways, STAY in your country. Ok, I'll step off of my soap box now. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving all!

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54. Posted by Windy on Sat, Nov 17, 2007, 7:01 pm PST

Thank you for the reminders, Maggie. It's been a LONG time since Emily Post has commented to us!! Or even been brought up, for that matter, and that's a shame. We seem to have become very forgetful about ettiquette. The excuses I've heard are that we live in a world that moves too fast. Well, I would think people would actually enjoy having the chance, then, to slow down, get dressed up, and sit down to a meal with friends, and ENJOY one another, don't you?

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55. Posted by on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 7:28 am PST

Hey....don't forget to go around the table and have each person say what they are truly thankful for! Even, the children. Children need to see the adults doing that, as a good example of giving thanks!

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56. Posted by Nora O on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 10:31 am PST

Bless all that gather this Holiday Season. Be Kind

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57. Posted by Jamers on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 1:17 pm PST

I cant say I agree with #2, the majority of the family get togethers that my family and I have are very casual, and its usually the people that come all dressed up that stand out and I know of other families that are the same way, ~Jamie

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58. Posted by lamont211 on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 1:30 pm PST

My friends and family are always welcome for Thanksgiving...wear what you want and be comfortable. Turn the game up too loud and have a good time. Thanksgiving is about being together and being thankful for what we have (can't remember it ever being about couscious...you're kidding right?). Not saying we shouldn't all mind our manners but if you're invited to my house it's because you are family or we love you like family. Belly up to the table and eat all the pie you want. If you do something rude, we'll either smack you or laugh at you but you're invited back next year, nonetheless.

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59. Posted by hotsomernites on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 1:32 pm PST

Dont bring up politics, Everybody hates george jr.

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60. Posted by Katie R on Sun, Nov 18, 2007, 1:46 pm PST

What About dont forget to help clean up!!! Dont just eat and run people.....

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