You guys do it different to us Australians. You typically do the turkey thing with all the trimmings for Thanksgiving.
Our big family thing is Xmas Dinner, we either do the traditional British thing or we do a seafood dinner.
For Xmas dinner I have about 20 or so and will do a Turkey, Baked Ham, Roast Chickens, Roasted Pork Loin (rolled & stuffed), and a corned Lamb Leg (Lamb Ham) as a cold cut along with all the roast veggies. "Her Indoors" is still debating on the starter and appetiser I want to do marinated prawns followed by cedar-planked salmon.
The tables are laden with cherries, apricots & peaches and chocolates of all shapes and sizes, nuts, individual fruit mince pies, fruit cake plus treats made by "Her indoors" and the other female guests.
Our Xmas dinner normally starts at 1 pm and finishes about 8:30 pm
This year instead of starting with a champagne cocktail I have been instructed to serve everyone a strawberry daiquiri, I have spent the last few nights adjusting and perfecting the recipe so as to meet with her approval. Actually after the first one it doesn't really matter.
Between Xmas and New year we will have a Seafood BBQ/Fest it will depend on what is available and fresh as to what we have. I suggested to "Her Indoors" that everyone bring some fresh seafood of some type and some fresh herbs and we will develop the "Menu" from what there is after much discussion and drinks. We can then plan the cook and get everyone to help with the prep. I (of course) will be the pit master and will delegate various cooking tasks. I think that this will be one of the best BBQs ever and will set a new benchmark.
I can imagine the lively discussions that will take place before the Menu is settled especially if it is a hot day and everyone is quenching their thirst with the "nectar".
We will probably start about 2 pm and start the cook at about 5 pm and just have some cheese and antipasti plate in between to keep the worms happy.
Regards