Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Nestled between Halloween and Christmas, it’s the perfect time to give thanks, gather around with the family, and share your favorite holiday dishes.
After hosting many Thanksgivings over the years, I’ve gathered my best tips to help make your hosting experience a breeze.
Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving
1. Prep your dishes beforehand.
A few dishes I like to make ahead are the cranberry sauce and any casseroles. I store them in the fridge and then pop them in the oven on Thanksgiving day.
Desserts are another easy item to prep ahead of time. Cookies freeze well, as do pies. Choose two or three items to make a few days before, put them in the freezer, then take out the day of to thaw before your guests arrive.
Also, it’s always a great idea to prep your veggies early. Chopping them up a day or two before the big event will save you the hassle of doing so on the day of.
2. Purchase items for a kid-friendly table in advance.
Your local dollar store or arts and crafts sections at a retail store will often have some holiday items you can purchase for a low price. I start collecting items for the kids table a few weeks before the day, and set up the table the night before.
I especially like activity placemats, DIY place cards, and turkey cutouts for kids to color. Set out a few packs of crayons and watch as children create their own magic!
3. Prep your holiday table before the guest arrive.
The day before, I set out holiday dishes and polish my grandmother’s silverware to add a festive touch.
A table doesn’t need trendy china or napkins to look elegant. Thanksgiving-themed paper makes great DIY placemats, and fresh flowers from a local florist can create a simple and chic look.
4. Organize your serving stations the night before.
I always plan out a place for each dish go on my kitchen island beforehand. A hack for this is to buy butcher paper and use it to mark where each dish will go. This takes a few extra steps since I will have to bring out each dish, draw an outline for where it should go, and mark it with some festive drawings. However, this takes away the guessing game on Thanksgiving and keeps the meal running smoothly.
5. Prepare for an easy clean up.
Make sure you have enough garbage bags, dish soap, and extra towels in the kitchen. I also make sure to have enough to-go containers ready to send home leftovers with my guests.
While my Thanksgiving meal is far from perfect, following these simple steps has helped the day go more smoothly.
This way, I can focus on what matters most, enjoying time with the people I love! By planning these elements in advance, you can minimize last-minute stress and truly enjoy Thanksgiving with your family.
Looking to make things even easier? Check out our post on Places to Get Thanksgiving Dinner or Takeout in Fargo.
