So how can you go about pulling off a great Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones? Our tips for hosting Thanksgiving in this blog will give you the answers you need to be a successful host or hostess.
Plan ahead
One of the main things you can do to prepare for hosting Thanksgiving is to know who will be joining you for the celebration. It is important to not only know how many people you will be there for dinner but also to ensure that everyone will be able to get along. Making use of a seating chart can help you organize your guests in a way that will avoid unpleasant conversations or disagreements. Once you have your guest list settled, it’s time to determine what you will be serving for dinner. Try to stick with recipes that you have cooked many times before but if you want to try something new make sure to have a few practice runs at preparation. Utilizing practice runs ensures that you aren’t wasting valuable time trying to figure out the steps or interpret the recipe and also reduces the chances of your dish not turning out on the big day. It is also a good idea to count out silverware, napkins, plates, cups, and any other supplies you may need ahead of time. That way you have plenty of time to replace anything that may be missing, and you won’t be scrambling in front of your guests.
Have a schedule
Successfully hosting Thanksgiving relies heavily on timing and, as such, means that a schedule will be crucial for you. You need to know when you need to start cooking and what appliances will be required when, for how long, and whether you can use them for multiple food items at once or not. Based on your cooking schedule, you can then determine what time guests should arrive and when dinner will be served. Having these details in order ensures that your guests will not have to wait around hungry while you are frantically trying to finish dinner. It’s also an excellent idea to leave some wiggle room in the schedule and to make sure you have time to shower and prepare for the arrival of your guests.
Enlist help
Don’t be afraid to ask your family and friends to bring things with them that will make your job a bit easier. Delegating things like side dishes, desserts, beverages, and appetizers can take a lot off of your plate. If there are must have items for your Thanksgiving, but you don’t like to prepare them, have someone else bring them or make use of your local grocery or specialty food store to alleviate some of the stress.
If the thought of hosting Thanksgiving still overwhelms you after reading our tips, contact us to discuss how we can help you enjoy a stress-free day. We have cleaning staff and personal chefs that would love to help you get your house and menu ready for your guests so you can make this the best Thanksgiving yet.
