Take home Thanksgiving feasts?

[mommaU4]

I've never used those listed but I've done Whole Foods the last 3 years and it was awesome. It is $119 for 8. We love it, and the food is all really good. I could probably do it a bit cheaper, but once I add in time and stress it's a deal.

Hmmm, I didn't think to check Whole Foods. That is also right down the street. (one of the benefits to where I live is we have lots to choose from close by!) In fact, the Whole Foods is in the same parking lot as the Claim Jumper. I'll look into that as well. Thanks.

I have a friend who doesn't cook and they ordered Bob Evans last year and really enjoyed it. I haven't asked her yet, but I assume they are doing it again this year.

Bob Evans is another one we don't have here, but I remember it from our 3 years in MI.

We've had the take-out meal from Mimi's twice. The first time, we got the whole pre-cooked turkey with all the trimmings. Last year, we ordered the sliced turkey meal instead since we didn't want to deal with a whole turkey. It still took quite a while to heat everything, especially the whole turkey. We still had to drag out the roasting pan and put it in the oven for 2 hours. All of the side dishes had to be reheated in pans on the stove or in dishes in the microwave. I still ended up with a sink full of dirty pots and pans and then we had to deal with storing all the leftovers. It was almost like making a meal from scratch!

Well shoot, that sort of defeats the whole purpose! Darn.

I used to do this all the time when I had to work on Thanksgiving. I've ordered from Vons and Alberstons and I think I liked Vons marginally better because their cranberry relish had oranges and nuts in it. But honestly, they were both good. I wouldn't think twice about ordering a pre-made Thanksgiving dinner again, but now that I have a beautiful remodeled kitchen, I like cooking.

Ah, with a lovely new remodeled kitchen, I'd cook too.

 

[mommaU4]

Thanks everyone for the input and ideas. My family and I aren't big meat eaters and frankly, I'd be happy skipping the turkey and going straight for the stuffing and potatoes!

So we are going to just order turkey breast and gravy from one of the restaurants a la carte, and then I will make the sides and desserts. (I love to bake!) I think that will be a nice compromise between the two ideas.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving day everyone, whether you cook.....or not.

 

[dyna]

Been wondering if precooked meal not the way for us to go this year we are in the process of moving an need to have everything out of our house the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving...we do not have a set date to be moved out but DD who is buying my house an moving here has to be out of her house the monday after Thanksgiving.

DD said tonight she is wondering WHY we trying to do Thanksgiving at all but this is our last year to be together as a family on Thanksgiving as I am moving to Florida and will not be comming up for Thanksgiving.

Always done all the cooking of the feast myself just never has seemed right to go out an eat or get a precooked meal...if we got to heat everything an dirty pans well I might as well cook.

I thought about using moms church for the cooking and eating there DH did not like that idea because we'd have to make a donation to the church ......would not cost anymore than the premade meal an the food would be good I a good cook.

Anyone care to have a family of about 12 over for Thanksgiving dinner....we'd bring side dishes or dessert maybe both lol

 

[MrsPete]

I really LIKE cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and we look forward to certain things just the way we like them. For example, lots of people like sweet potato casserole with pineapple mixed in, but we don't.

If I were really pushed for time, I'd consider buying a ready-to-go turkey, which would allow more time for the sides. Keep in mind, too, that most Thanksgiving sides freeze well, so there's no reason not to prepare your stuffing two weeks ahead and freeze it, your sweet potatoes one week ahead and freeze them . . . you know, stagger your cooking.

 

[Manda513]

After spending a few years making a huge mess in the kitchen, being completely stressed out and not really getting to enjoy the meal the past few years we have been going out to eat for Thanksgiving. There is an awesome catering company/restaurant across the river from us that has the most amazing buffet and at a awesome price of $13 per adult. It's nice to actually be able to sit and enjoy the meal with my family as well as the plus of going out to eat which we don't get to do very often. My husband looks forward to the meal every year and has already asked me 2 times this week whether I made our reservations or not. LOL

 

[Deweysgirl]

Target! Every year, good quality, yummy tasting and no hassle!

ARCHER FARMS HOLIDAY MEAL FOR 8* $59.99
(stores only)

Turkey meal for 4 $44.99*
(stores only)

Holiday meal comes in a free, reusable tote and includes:
• Archer Farms cook-in-bag turkey or spiral-sliced honey ham
• Mashed potatoes
• Turkey gravy
• Homestyle stuffing
• Green bean casserole
• Cranberry & walnut relish
• Archer Farms dinner rolls
• 9" pie (pumpkin, caramel apple or apple)
• Archer Farms coffee sampler