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Funny Holiday Hacks to Fix Any Turkey Day Disaster — If You Think Outside the Box

By Chelsea Duff

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These days, it seems like you have to have a whole host of Thanksgiving hacks just to get through a successful dinner — especially if you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner. There are articles upon articles all over the internet suggesting the best way to skim the fat out of your gravy, make the perfect pie crust, salvage a burned turkey, and find the right recipes to satisfy all of your guests’ dietary restrictions. And those are all pretty helpful. But this year, we’re giving you the real holiday hacks. The ones that are completely foolproof and the solution to pretty much any problem you might have. Already stressing about the big dinner? Don’t worry — we’ve got your back. Keep scrolling to discover our helpful Thanksgiving hacks that will save any Turkey Day disaster.

  1. Turkeys All Gone

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    What do I do if there are no turkeys left by the time I get to the market?

    This is a Thanksgiving dinner disaster, right? Wrong! Skip the turkey and start a new tradition. Chicken wings are basically the same anyway, and when you pick up a platter you can make sure you get plenty of drumsticks. Aren't the legs the part of the turkey that everyone fights over? This way, everyone can get a leg — and they can also choose whatever sauce they like to go with it. Who said honey barbecue chicken wings aren't festive?

  3. Potatoes In Dishwasher

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    Help, how do I wash a big batch of potatoes quickly?

    Mashed potatoes are a delicious Thanksgiving side — which is why you need lots of spuds on hand if you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Wouldn't it be nice if there was an easy way to wash a lot of potatoes quickly? Enter your handy dandy dishwasher. Yes, that's right. You can simply load up your dishwasher with taters, hit the rinse cycle, and open the door to freshly washed and peeled potatoes. Just make sure you don't add detergent. You want you potatoes clean, but not that clean. 

  5. How To Peel Potatoes Fast Without Peeler

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    How do you peel potatoes fast without a peeler?

    If you've misplaced your potato peeler, the good news is that there's an easy way to peel potatoes fast without a peeler. Once you've boiled your spuds, blanche them in ice water. Then, you should be able to easily peel off the skin using just your fingers. Just make sure you don't accidentally burn yourself on the boiled potatoes. They may still be warm even after an ice bath, so peel with caution. 

  6. Just Eat Pie

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    This year it's just me and my kids. Do I really have to make a whole feast?

    Turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans. Who has the time, even if you're just waiting in line at Costco to buy everything premade? Why go through all those motions when you can just skip to the best part of the meal — dessert? Pick up a couple store-bought pies and just pig out. Everyone gets their own and a giant spoon to eat it with. Dinner disaster averted!

  7. No Political Talk

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    How do I politely shut down political talk at the dinner table?

    This one's easy. Institute a no-politics rule with a sign out front — and a clearly marked time-out corner with a dunce cap placed on a stool. Whenever anyone starts to get chatty and go full policy wonk over stuffing, send them to the time-out corner with their plate. Trust us, this Thanksgiving life hack will save you from arguing with your in-laws on Turkey Day. 

  9. Not Enough Bread Rolls

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    What if there aren't enough dinner rolls to go around?

    Those buttery bready bites of deliciousness can go fast, and sometimes with people grabbing a couple, there just aren't enough for everyone. Instead, don't display them on the table with the rest of the food for people to dish onto their plates. Keep them at the head of the table, and hand them out based on merit. Who's thanked you for inviting them into your home? They can have a roll. Were the kids late and dressed sloppily when they came to the table? No roll for them. Someone offers to stay and clean up afterwards? Well, they get two rolls for their troubles. 

  10. Missed Your Flight

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    I missed my flight to my sister-in-law's house and now I'm stuck at home without my family.

    Wink. Really you're just too stressed to be bothered, so kick your feet up and enjoy your staycation! Finally, a little time for yourself. Your sister-in-law won't even question it, either. Last-minute flight changes happen, and so does holiday traffic. Instead of trying furiously to book another trip out, just say you did and sit back on the couch, pop on some fuzzy socks, and start binging Christmas movies on Hallmark channel. Don't worry, the marathons started even before Halloween. 

  11. Thanksgiving Wine Drunk

    TV Land

    The turkey turned out awful. Now what?

    Guess it's time to break out those extra bottles of wine you've had tucked away in the garage. Sure, you sprung for a couple reds for the table already. But if there's no fixing that dry, flavorless bird, you'll just have to get your guests sauced in another way. Once they've had a few glasses, they won't even notice that you completely forgot to season the main entrée. Or even if they do, you'll be a couple drinks too deep to care. 

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