We never appreciate the value of our home more than when we are surrounded by family. And Thanksgiving is the most special occasion when our families come together.
No matter how many folks are coming to your home this year, hosting is a responsibility we all take seriously. You’ll want your home looking perfect and ready to accommodate the extra people under your roof.
As a host, it’s easy to feel the stress of Thanksgiving, especially if you’re in charge of the kitchen. The day is rich in symbolism, and tradition suggests your menu should include turkey, bread stuffing, cranberries, lots of potatoes and pumpkin pie to finish.
This fare is today’s equivalent of the 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people, upon which Thanksgiving Day is founded.
To help you relax and enjoy this special time just a little more, here are a few hosting tips. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Make a plan
Minimize your stress by planning your meals. Decide on your menu and be sure to have sufficient food to feed all your guests. What’s worse than running out of turkey! Give yourself a day for grocery shopping. You’ll probably want another day to clean the house and prepare beds for those who’ll need them.
Accept offers of help
Don’t hesitate to seek help and delegate tasks to those who volunteer. Pick the dishes you want to prepare – maybe the turkey, gravy and a few sides – and ask your guests to make their contribution based on your menu. Those who say they can’t cook can carry drinks, and lots of them, through the door!
Cutlery count
It’s never too soon to check you have enough plates and cutlery. Make sure you can seat everyone comfortably. If not, purchase extra chairs and a cheap trestle table that can be covered with a tablecloth. Setting the table the night before is a smart play. That’ll be one less job on the big day.
Get ahead of the curve
Don’t leave food preparation for the last 24 hours. Try to ready some dishes in advance, even some ingredients. For example, cranberry sauce tastes better when it’s had a few days in the dish. Casseroles, homemade bread rolls and the like can all be done in advance. Some folks even cook the turkey the night before (I’m not so sure about that!).
Liquid refreshment
You’ll want to offer your guests a drink, alcoholic or not, when they arrive. Consider preparing a bowl of punch ahead of time and making sure the sparkling wine is nicely chilled. If family members claim they can’t cook, put them in charge of the drinks and other snacks.
Play it safe
Thanksgiving isn’t the time to experiment in the kitchen. Stick to a menu that you’re comfortable preparing and that you know works. There’s little glory in trying a new dish and having it fail – the family will never let you live it down!