ALT-1 Tips for Hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner Party
If you are the one hosting this year's Thanksgiving dinner, with some simple planning and a few time saving strategies, this year's dinner can be one everyone, including the host can enjoy.
It's never too early to start planning, in fact, if you host Thanksgiving every year, take notes once the dinner is done, what worked and what didn't and pull your notes out during your planning phase. If this is your first time hosting that's ok, just think about what made other holidays special and try to incorporate some of those ideas.
Following these simple steps will help you stay organized and on schedule insuring a smooth and festive meal.
Plan Early:
Make sure you invite the guests early enough, before they have made other plans.
Start thinking about decorations for the home and the table. Decide early if you will serve buffet style or sit down.
This is also the time to see if anyone is bringing a dish. This is the time of year that tradition is so important. If one of your guests has a specialty they want to bring, by all means, invite them to bring it and count it in your menu planning.
Plan the menu:
Most Thanksgiving dinners are filled with family favorites so planning what to serve should be easy. Keep in mind if anyone has allergies or dietary needs and make sure you have food that they are able to eat.
Think about what items on your list can be purchased already made. A ham is a good example of that, people love the honey-baked hams and most times they taste better with a lot less trouble then your own ham. Don't stop at the ham, prepared corn bread or rolls from the bakery are fine. Frozen green beans for the casserole work great and they take only minutes to prepare and the bagged salads that are already washed are a terrific time saver.
Write the menu out and a list of ingredients.
Shop early:
Purchase your non-perishables in advance and cross them off your list.
Take stock of your serving platters, pots, pans and table and silverware and purchase or borrow items if you need them.
The week before Thanksgiving you should have everything purchased and ready to go. Make sure you order the turkey if you are getting a fresh one or have time to defrost one if you buy it frozen.
Start cooking early:
Many items and dishes, like deserts and casseroles can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake.
Plan entertainment for your company:
While your guests are arriving and waiting to sit down and eat, have a movie planned or a game, place some snacks out and have a self serve area for drinks.
Day before:
Set the table, write a schedule for yourself using your menu list, so you stay organized and don't forget anything.
Clean up your home, or if possible, have someone come in and clean for you.
The day of:
Get the turkey cleaned, stuffed and in the oven. With the table set, the housed cleaned and the casseroles and deserts already prepared, you should be free to relax for a while.
Get snacks ready and the self-serve drink area about 30 minutes before company arrives.
Try to keep it simple with dishes you are comfortable making and that require less last minute preparation. Don't forget, take help where you can, get family members to chip in, they can help rake the leaves, set the table and pick up any last minute items. If you have young children, have them start making decorations a few weeks before. Even colored pictures from a coloring book are fine to display around the home and makes them feel a part of the festivities.
Above all else, keep focused on what this day is all about, sharing your time and love with your friends and family. They won't judge you if everything is not perfect.
