How to Plan a Family Thanksgiving Dinner
From 3arf
So you have decided to take the plunge and have the whole family to your place for Thanksgiving, have you? Good for you! From one host of a large family dinner to another, let me assure you of two things; very soon, you will wonder why you decided to do this and then you will wonder why you were so stressed about it. Family dinners, especially for events like Thanksgiving, are definitely worth the effort. There are a few pointers that will help you out and make it all more enjoyable for everyone.
- Get a head count early. You will need to know this to know the size turkey to buy, how many chairs, about the china, etc. Also, that leads us to the next pointer. You will need to know how many you are expecting in order to let people know how big a covered dish to bring.
- Let others help. Decide that you will provide the turkey, stuffing, gravy, drinks, ice, and that specialty side dish you make that everybody will love. Then, get out your old family reunion phone list and start delegating. If you have a couple of sisters or cousins who live close, get them to come help you set up or clean beforehand. At the very least, ask folks to bring either dessert or vegetable side dishes.
- Plan your housecleaning. You will need to get a schedule together for the week before the big event. Decide which rooms you will primarily be using, such as kitchen, dining room, family room, guest bath, etc. Plan the heavy cleaning at the first of the week, then cleaning the guest bath, then the final vacuuming and polishing off the day before. This will leave you free the day of for just cooking.
- Do any seasonal decorating several days ahead. Make sure you have enough chairs and decide whether you are going to have one long table or several tables grouped around. If you need chairs or tablecloths, call some of your guests to bring them. Also make sure of any booster seats or high chairs you may need.
- Have your refrigerator cleaned out. You will need the space. Have your kitchen spic and span, including the oven.
- Have all your china and silverware counted and clean by the day before if possible. Ditto with your linens. If you can, use paper and plastic for everything but the silverware. If you decide that you must pull out the good china, have it stacked on the sideboard ready well ahead of time.
- Prep a couple of dishes the night before. You may not want to cook them completely, but at least have as much done as possible. Have the turkey stuffed, for instance, and waiting in the fridge so you can just pop it in the oven early.
- Set your food on a big buffet if possible. We use the island in the kitchen to set out all the food, nearby counters for plates and silver, then the sideboard in the dining room for drinks and cups. Keeps the flow moving and makes for less confusion.
- Have plenty of Tupperware with lids so folks can carry off leftovers. Our family makes three times as much food as we need and then we divide up all the leftovers four ways. Everybody loves everybody else’s food and this way we all get a second crack at it.
- Consider what your guests will want to do after the meal. Most families have a variety of ages and interests in the group, and a good host will want everyone to have a good time. Have the family room available to watch football. Have some toys for the little ones and a place out of the way for them to play. Remember the new mothers with babies and ask ahead if they will need a quiet bedroom in which to set up the pack-n-play for naps. Have the basketball available for the teenagers or a second TV and DVD player with some movies.
- Above all, RELAX. A good host/hostess is much more than just having the turkey done to a turn. Your family will remember your smile, your welcoming attitude, and the fun they had at your house long after they remember the menu.
And, after all, the whole point is to have the family together, right? For better or for worse, they are your family, and this is the time to take a deep breath and be thankful for that.
