How to Host Thanksgiving Dinner (or Any Big Feast!)

This is my Thanksgiving Dinner checklist, but I've only hosted Thanksgiving at my house 3 or so times. As long as you don't serve a nasty turkey and canned cranberry sauce, you will be okay.
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[internetshaquille]

Use this as a thread for bonus tips. Here's one: While you plan your menu, pay attention to which ingredients you will have leftover. If the stuffing requires 2 ribs of celery, I know I'll have at least 4 leftover on the stalk. This might inform my decision to to a celery-heavy salad on the side.

[pennympnevarez]

Shaqs Mom here! Another great video 🥰As for your comment, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I have hosted for decades so I would happily take you up on borrowing your camera my son but I might just steal your limelight & all your followers so I’ll pass…this time 🤔😆🦃🍠🥧🍷

[afxtal]

Shaq, My wife has had Thanksgiving nailed down for a couple decades now and I can confirm you pretty much covered all the things she does to make it a huge success for ~20 people every year. The one modification we would recommend: do lunch instead of dinner! You'll be mostly full the rest of the day so you don't even need to serve dinner -- or people can have leftovers if they want. It also gives people time to not rush having dessert.

[wolfingitdown]

Another Meta-Level Cooking Lesson from Daddy Shaq

[Dapperganger]

The absolute state of this man's brain wrinkles for posting this at the perfect time for execution AND he includes a screenshotable timeline. Concise and clever as always.

[BigStarRealFamous]

I absolutely cannot _fathom_ being this organized and feel that if I could harness even a fraction of that energy, I would be literally unstoppable.

[sixuk]

My dude, that EQ tip is so simple yet so genius! I suffer with nuclear level tinnitus so even the slightest background noise makes regular conversation inaudible, you may have just changed my family gatherings for the better!

[joetucker]

Did not expect the cooking video to recommend EQ settings but I like it.

[louisirvinelim]

always making vids that we need but couldn't even label them as problem is the first place

[christineg]

I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving for two decades and this advice is spot on. The detailed timeline for the big day is absolutely critical. I especially like that you remind the host not to kill the vibe by preemptively apologizing for supposed deficiencies. Happy cooking.

[danielpirone]

Even as a grown ass adult, this is packed with truth. Wish I had this when I was 25

[adad]

"You've come a long way and there's still so much good stuff to be excited about."

hey shaq - thanks for that, sincerely. same to you man. have a great thanksgiving.

[willjay]

Tips - If you want to transition hosting Thanksgiving from your mother or the aunties, start planning in the summer and have it wrapped up by Labor Day. The suggestion of having things out so your guests do not crowd the kitchen is excellent. I did this year's ago and it became the signature event of the weekend. Friends were able to drop by and share holiday greetings for a few minutes before heading off to obligation dinners. Keep it simple - bread, fruit, cheese, nuts, olives, and if you've been able to make a frittata the night before - bonus! Shaq'sbest advice "Relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors."

[stefanristicmovies]

i love you so much this is the greatest cooking channel in youtube history. comment 100 of 100. enjoy the engagement, you magnificent beast.

[msy]

Haha I’m all about dipping them high mids for background music. I appreciate it as a shout out to your fellow nerds. There is no detail too small to set good party vibes

[spaghetthony]

Phenomenal video that translates to basically any dinner or lunch party plan. Understanding what work needs to be done the day of, the day before, and what your guests can do for you is just plain invaluable and turns an unorganized mess into a well-oiled...kitchen

[katherinepadilla]

This video satisfied my cooking/hosting interests, my music interests, and my logistics interests all in one go. You are goddamn magnificent.

[jakegarcia]

Your videos are truly the best cooking related videos on YouTube. This is on the longer side compared to your other videos, but it is still just as densely packed with incredible information, tips, jokes, and references. Keep ‘em coming!

[FedePantalonesGordos]

I'm not even from a country that celebrates thanksgiving... But the value of these tips is just so high. I really enjoy your informative approach to cooking, Shaq.

[joebobjrjr]

I honestly stumbled onto this channel when someone said "French toast pizza" in an online chat, and I'm so happy I did. The variety, presentation, and honest advice you give to your viewers come together into such a lovely experience and I'm so grateful to have access to it. Thank you for putting in the work!