Thanksgiving From Your Laptop

By Margaret Mason (from Mighty Girl) on November 10, 2011

You're hosting your first Thanksgiving. Do not mess it up. There are few more overt markers of adulthood than pulling a golden 30-pound turkey out of your oven, except perhaps knowing how to carve the thing. And then there's setting the table, and all the trimmings, and don't even get me started on pie. In this, as in all things, turn to the Internet in your time of need. Invite friends online, let Pandora handle your party mix, and have 90 percent of your supplies delivered to your doorstep.

Here's your Thanksgiving on autopilot:

1. POTLUCK WITH FRIENDS

Invitation: Pingg's Birds

Online Shopping:

Candy Apples Pie crust never broke anyone's teeth, am I right?
Felt Ball Garland Face it, you would never reuse the paper turkey.
Stainless Drink Dispenser Hey, look. A bartender!
Pot Pie Because leftovers are really the whole point of turkey anyway.

Music: Set your Pandora station to "I Must Belong Somewhere" from Bright Eyes
Upgrade: Backyard Tepee

Lest we forget the roots of our gluttony.

2. BUFFET WITH FAMILY

Invitation: Paperless Post's Red Apple

Online Shopping:

Crosscut Board A cheese board is so much classier than chips and dip.
Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Your grocery store mostly has a wide selection of cheddar.
Turkey Galantine The easiest way to keep your relatives from picking at the roast turkey while it cools.
Felted Acorn Napkin Holders They're technically Christmas ornaments, but they'd lend such a festive touch to the table. See? Multi-purpose! Felted acorns are super useful.
Twig Candleholder Fall flowers are kinda ugly.

Music: Set your Pandora station to "Roll Away Your Stone" from Mumford and Sons
Upgrade: Piesicles "Pie is delicious and all, but it's just so inconvenient."

3. FORMAL DINNER PARTY
Invitation: Paperless Post's Flourish

Online Shopping:

Pecan Pie As it turns out, pastry chefs make better pies than you.

Hotel Ice Bucket You're gonna need more ice.

Dried Wheat Half a dozen of these and a white hem-stitched tablecloth. Perfection.

Veuve Uncle Harry always wants to toast when he's already toasted.

Bay Leaf Wreath Something simple for the door.

Music: Set your Pandora station to "I Love Being Here with You" from Peggy Lee
Upgrade: Turducken

Does your family order anything special for Thanksgiving? Let us know in comments.

Read more by Maggie Mason: Spring Clean Your PC in 5 Easy Steps, 5 USB Sticks that Don't Insult Your Data, Beyond Evite: Top 3 Unique Invitation Sites, Top Luxe Laptop Bags, 5 Stands to Keep Your iPad at Attention, 5 Great Covers for your iPad, 5 Cool, Easy Ways to Display Snapshots The Wired Pet Owner: Top 5 Pet Gadgets Top 5 Lapdesks: Spend More Time in Bed Gadget Case Roundup: Keep Your Gear Safe 4 Tips for Creating an Inspiring Office, 5 Super Useful Camera Accessories, Five Small Camera Bags for the Casual Photographer, Gift Guide for Geeks, 6 Unique Tools for Better Photos, Budget Tech Gifts Under $50, Packing Light: 5 Tips for Wired Travelers, Best Father's Day Gifts For Geeky Dads Entertaining Automated: 3 Parties from Your Laptop Gear Up: Back to School Supplies for Grownups, Get Happy: Online Resources for Improving Your Life

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Maggie Mason is the author of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog, publisher of Mighty Mighty Media, and a Twitter power user (@Maggie). Her personal blog, Mighty Girl was recently nominated for a SxSW Lifetime Achievement Award, and she was named one of Silicon Valley's Top 50 Influencers by Now Public.