Believe it or not, it’s already time for the holidays! Our homes are the central point of gathering during the last two months of the year. Start preparing your home now for a stress-free holiday season.
No matter how many people are coming to your home this year, hosting is a responsibility we all take seriously. Follow the tips below to have your home looking perfect and ready to accommodate the extra people under your roof.
If your home is the one where everyone gathers, it’s easy to feel the stress of Thanksgiving, especially if you’re in charge of the kitchen. Whether you serve a traditional menu of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, lots of potatoes, and pumpkin pie or your own family favorites, we have a few hosting tips for you to be able to relax and enjoy the holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Plan Ahead
Minimize your stress by planning your meals. Decide on your menu and be sure to have enough food to feed all your guests. What’s worse than running out of turkey! Pro tip: grocery shop in advance of the last minute crowds during the week of the holiday. Don’t forget to plan a day to clean the house and prepare beds for those who’ll need them.
Ask For 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!
Prepare The Home
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 folding table that can be covered with a tablecloth. Pro tip: Instead of purchasing tables and chairs to be used 1x per year, ask your guests if they have folding chairs and tables you can borrow for the day. Pick them up ahead of time to save you time. Setting the table the night before is a smart play. That’ll be one less job on the big day.
Cook Ahead
Don’t leave food preparation for the last 24 hours. Prepare some dishes in advance, even some ingredients. For example, cranberry sauce tastes better when it’s had a few days in the dish. Casseroles and desserts can all be done in advance.
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!
