Give thanks—with lots of help

Whether you are giving thanks for good health, the wonderful company or the few days off from work, Thanksgiving is always a significant time to sit down and share a wonderful feast with those closest to you. We’re offering great hosting tips and tasty recipes that will help make your day a stress free, memorable one.

Gourmet touches
A great way to start off a warm evening with friends and family is with an elegantly presented cheese and cracker spread. Gruyere Toast with a side of grapes is another dairy favorite that gathers everyone around for appetizers and socializing, but still leaves plenty of room for the feast that follows. If there are children present, encourage those old enough to pass around the hors d’oeuvres to everyone.

Meanwhile the head chef can be putting the finishing touches on the big meal. Try unexpected new delights, mixed with traditional favorites to enliven your celebration, such as calcium-rich Asparagus Rolls or easy as 1-2-3 Cheesy Cauliflower.

Get everyone involved!
Once everyone’s seated, ask somebody else to serve the wine or pour the water. Then friends feel as if they're part of the team. It's collaborative and more relaxed that way.

For larger crowds, narrow, rectangular tables are best and always seat the most talkative guests in the center. That way the energy spreads outward. Serving family-style is also perfect for a meal like Thanksgiving—so everything looks scrumptious on the table and guests can help themselves. It makes for a truly shared experience.

If there are kids there, they probably thrive on action. So getting them involved with even small tasks will help them feel a big part of the family holiday. Always have crayons and blank paper on hand so they can create Thanksgiving artwork to decorate the table or give as gifts for each of the guests when they leave. Encouraging their creativity is also a way of showing your gratitude for their unique self expression. And seeing their designs displayed as centerpieces will give kids a real sense of pride and importance.

Give thanks for dessert!
The only way to finish off Thanksgiving dinner properly is with show-stopping desserts. Thankfully, there are many to choose from that are also good sources of dairy. Some of our favorites include the scrumptious Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Vanilla Pudding Sauce and the sweet and savory Lemon Yogurt Bars.

Of course, if at this point, you’d rather “assemble” than cook or bake food, a sophisticated touch that also provides a hearty dose of dairy is a beautiful wedge of blue cheese—like Stilton, with fresh Bartlett pears.