7 Tips For Hosting Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and if you find yourself hosting a get together for friends or family this year, I wanted to share a few tips for you to make the day as stress-free as possible! (Not hosting this year? Pin now and read later!) Now, I am no expert at hosting Thanksgiving, I’ve only done it a handful of times, however I have learned a lot in the last few years and I wanted to pass on to you what I have learned! Here are 7 tips for hosting Thanksgiving:
1. Get Organized!
Being prepared and organized is key. Make a list of all the groceries you will need at least one week before. Plan your table setting and set up early if you are able. The more you can do ahead of time, the more you’ll thank yourself later. Don’t forget to organize your fridge so you have plenty of room for all the food and drinks. You’ll also want to get your house tidied up as early as possible too. Clean a little each day leading up to Thanksgiving so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming. Make sure bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper and prepare your guest room(s) with fresh linens should you have any family staying from out of town.
2. Stick To What You Know
This is not the time to get experimental. As much as you want to impress your family, I don’t recommend trying a bunch of brand new recipes. That has stress written all over it. (I know this from experience!) You could always try one new recipe if you’re wanting to give it a try and then go with the classics you know how to prepare that your family will love. Nothing is worse than having a table full of hungry people and your new dish was a disaster so save yourself the headache and stick to what you know.
3. Stock The Bar
Make sure to have plenty of drinks on hand, for example, for a party of 8 guests, you’ll need 4-5 bottles of wine, and 1 case of beer. If your family doesn’t drink alcohol, be sure to have other options like coffee and tea, or pop. I like to have 2 options for pop (a light like Sprite and dark like Diet Coke) but you don’t need to go too crazy. Keep it simple for you and your guests.
4. Don’t Hesitate To Ask For Help
Just because you are hosting does not mean you have to do everything on your own! It’s perfectly fine to ask some of your family to bring a dessert or an appetizer. There is no shame in the delegate game! If you know you are not good at making stuffing, ask someone else to! At the end of the day, your guests will care more about how the food tastes than who prepared it. So don’t hesitate to ask for help, I am sure your guests would be more than happy to bring a dish to pass and may even offer to anyways.
5. Set The Mood
My favorite part about hosting is setting the tone for the event. I love to decorate my space to make my guests feel cozy and welcomed in my home. For Thanksgiving, I like to have easy listening playing in the background while we eat and socialize. Frank Sinatra radio or Autumn Jazz are some of my favorites to listen to on the Amazon Alexa during a dinner party. I also like having a candle going in the family room (away from the food, this will prevent the strange smell of candle mixed with cooking). For extra coziness when family relaxes after dinner, be sure to have plenty of fuzzy blankets on hand for lounging on the couch. These small touches definitely won’t go unnoticed!
6. Don’t Baste The Turkey!
This one is controversial, I know, BUT I swear by this! Every turkey I have made has turned out great and I never basted. (Is that even a word? lol!) Think of it this way, every time you open the oven to baste your turkey, you are losing heat, which makes it take longer for the turkey to cook which means a dry turkey. So take my word for it and skip the basting and you won’t regret it! And don’t let your mom bully you into basting (I’m looking at you mom!!) this is your Thanksgiving to host so you call the shots!
7. Remember To Enjoy The Day!
Hosting can be a ton of work and while it can be a little stressful at times, try and enjoy the day and have a glass (or two) of wine and bask in the glory of your hosting! After all, you put in a ton of work to prepare and you deserve it! And don’t forget to take a moment for gratitude, the most important part of the day! Good luck hosting and I wish you a deliciously juicy turkey and zero talk of politics at your table this year!
