i never ordered the whole meal, but every year i get my turkey smoked. then just have to pop it in the oven and warm up. i buy all my pies, so all i have to do is the potatoes and veggies!! i think the portion sizes are small on the pre-ordered meals but i heard they are good!! i wish i could go to someone elses house for once. they all come here and no one helps clean the mess!!!!!! love judy

i say go for it, anything that will make it easier for you

Hi My friend did, And she said it was ok.. although everything has to be reheated and put in bowels.. I think a turkey is just about the easiest thing to cook.. One year I set up our larger befroom with renyed chairs and all rented table linen and we had the whole crew eat in there.. Our family has grown , So like you space is limited. It worked well.. Have fun that's the most important thing..Even if you use ccpaper plates.. Love D

Well, from someone who does not have a knack for cooking, I have to admit that this year's thanksgiving turkey was bought pre-cooked (don't know why but it just made it easier to put in microwave). I did peel potatoes and veggies and cooked those (I did that in early morning and put in pot of cold water) so as suppertime neared, I just had to put on stove. I also pre-made my dressing (with potatoes, onions, garlic croutons that are soaked in milk... and of course lots and lots of summer savory). As for space, well last year, I had a lot of people over and I merely had a buffet setting - the kitchen table was used as the buffet space to put the food on and people just either sat on the couch, chairs in livingroom and even floor (for those younger ones). And dessert was store bought. I think (personally) that it is the fun of being together rather than the formal thing that mattered. We played games after supper and had the young ones do the dishes .. one just does the best one can do, and people either come for the company and if they do not like it, then next year will be different lol (less people). Anyway, good luck and try not to stress over it - if someone does not like it, well it is just too bad (for them).

That's a good idea, around here there's a high-end grocery store that does an excellent job. Last year I did Christmas, and it was a nightmare because the turkeys took two hours longer than expected. I started one at 4am and my uncle started his at his house, and neither one of them was done, but oh, well, everyone had to wait. My great aunt used to have everybody over to her apartment and she set up the d.r. table in her bedroom! it was very cosy. That's not so bad, I'm sure no matter what it will be fun

well I haven't but I've certainly considered it.

one year we did buy this organic healthy gourmet fresh turkey from whole foods and we opened it 1 day later to cook and it was rotten. eww.

so I'm suspicious now. I guess I'd go for the precooked meals if there were from someplace like Boston market, not the local grocery store.

I have done this twice now, Once from Raleys and once from Safeway. Raleys was the best, the turkey was moist and all sides were flavorful. You can even get one ham dinner and one turkey. Each dinner is for four serving or maybe six can't remember But I do know there was 4 of use and we had left overs for the next day. Love to you...L

This reminds me of a funny story.. I bought the usual 30 pound turkey.. I got up at 4am to get the suffing made and yhe beauty in the oven.. it was also organic and I always pay an arm and leg.. I opened it up and it was only half PLUCKED.. i spent over an hour plucking.. Good thing i remember the old days on Granny farm..Love D

That's funny, D. I'd probably run from an unplucked turkey. btw ... did you hear about the Butterball Turkey recall this year? They forgot to butter the balls! hahahahaha .. that was always my mom's favorite joke at Thanksgiving.

I did the math...estimate..on Safeway's Holiday turkey dinner. $44.99 (say $45.00)
Serves 6-8

1. 10-12 lb. turkey.................$5.00 if purchased
2. Stuffing 2lbs........................2.00 (Stovetop) now on sale (serves 6)
3. Mashed potatoes 3 lbs.....2.00 (instant)
4. Gravy 24 oz.........................2.50 (two packages)
5. Cranberries 15 0z..............1.50 canned
6. Dinner rolls 1 doz..............2.50 bakery
7. Pumpkin pie 8 in................5.00 frozen...Costco has the best ones fresh!
=20.50 .....(save 24.50!)

I've had them before and give it a pass...the turkey has to cook for two hours and the frozen stuffing and potatoes cartons less (mine sorta dried out on the tops) the gravy has to be heated and you still have to contend with turkey pan and serving bowels. It comes frozen. If you have other oven dishes (say candied sweet potatoes) you may have a tight fit in your oven. This meal lacks "fresh" like a veggie tray or fruit salad. The good part is no one can complain of your cooking as you can blame it on Safeway!

I love to cook so why I give it a pass but last year my BIL bought the Safeway dinner package to my mom's and I did the rest. I don't remember any complaints. The main thing is that you enjoy your family, be festive and Give Thanks!

I bought from Safeway once and we didn't like it. But all stores are different so don't go by other's on that. I know people here (I live in retirement communitee) that order from stores and they love it.
This year I am going to
order take out from a local resteraunt, It's high end and meals are very good but there is only two of us so to cook even a small turkey is not worth it.

A few years ago when I cooked for company I cooked the whole meal the day before. The only thing I did not do the day before was put the bananas in the apple salad.
Then everything went in the oven in corning ware dishes Thanksgiving and Christmas morning. I used the stove oven, toaster oven and I keep an elctric raoster on my back porch to bake in, in the summer. I just let the turkey come to room temp for dinner, as the gravy is good and hot and it always get cold by the time it hits the table anyway.
I got tired of spending the whole morning in the kitchen working while everyone else got to visit and watch the parades on Tv and all that.