There are few greater pleasures than opening your home to family and friends for a special occasion, and Thanksgiving is one of the most important events on the calendar. But entertaining folks does not come without its workload. These ideas will hopefully help you have a great Thanksgiving!
Make a plan
It’s a great idea to start planning your day. You need to organize the menu, decide on festive decorations, and make a seating plan (if one is required). One hot tip is to time your day. Putting down a schedule of when you want everything to happen helps make it run smoothly.
Prioritize you
Don’t be a martyr to the kitchen on a day you’re supposed to enjoy. Make sure you give yourself time and energy to mingle with everyone and not feel super-stressed because you’ve left a pot simmering on the stove.
Dish out jobs
One person doesn’t have to do all the work. Other members of the family should be asked to be in charge of drinks, another setting and decorating the table. Perhaps someone else can help bring the food from the kitchen. Maybe a best friend can bring dessert.
Menu planning
Adding something unique to the menu is a wonderful way to make the occasion memorable. You don’t have to serve endless slices of turkey. One idea might be to create a signature cocktail you can give to guests as they arrive. Don’t overthink the challenge, otherwise you’ll simply create more work.
Quantities
If you’re not a regular at this hosting game, deciding the amount of food to buy is a little confronting. As a general rule, three-quarters of a pound of turkey, per person, should be sufficient.
Setting the table
Some folks will get this job done literally days ahead of time. You want to make the most of the seating arrangements. Put out name cards if place settings might make or break a happy day within the family!
The biggest secret
Cook ahead of time. Your gravy base can be done weeks in advance and frozen. Vegetables and casseroles can be prepared up to two days before and refrigerated without a problem. Thanksgiving may feel like a military operation, but a little organization makes all the difference.