How to Plan a Stress Free Thanksgiving Dinner
Careful planning is the key to planning a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner party. These tips for how to plan a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner party will help you prepare the perfect gathering without the stress.
- Start Early And Get Organized
Smart planning means early planning. Make out your guest list and menu weeks before the big day and send out any invitations early. Early planning also means catching items you will need on sale and allows you time to search for money saving coupons.
Decide whether you want a sit down dinner party or buffet style. Buffet style is much less of a hassle as you don’t need to worry about seating guests compatibly or limiting the guests you can invite because of space at the table.
- Remember That No One Is Perfect
Don’t strive for the picture perfect Thanksgiving dinner party. Strive for happy guests, good food, fun for all and peace in your home. If the pie top burns, cut around it, if something is spilled just wipe it up, get on with your party, if the power goes out just light some candles, and be thankful you have the grill to finish cooking your meal.
- Make Time For You To Have Fun
Being the host or hostess doesn’t mean you have to be busy, busy, busy every moment. Enjoying your guests is just as important as seeing to their needs. Ask a friend or family member to help you or schedule most of your baking and food prep time for the days before the Thanksgiving dinner party.
Choose casserole dishes that you can freeze or refrigerate until time to bake them. This way the mess is done with before the big day. Do your pie, bread and cake baking the day before and gather the components for the dressing in covered dishes in the refrigerator.
Serve the turkey already sliced, buffet style and add fresh parsley to the plate to dress it up. Spread coasters around generously to protect your furniture and prepare a child’s table for the kids on your invite list.
- Prepare For The Unexpected
Leisurely walks, games of touch football or a trip to the mall are things we often do after Thanksgiving dinner but if inclement weather prevents this, what do you do with a house full of guests? Just in case, plan alternative activities such as a few good movies or games such as charades, karaoke or monopoly.
Unexpected guests show up or the guest who was bringing the pumpkin pie fails to show or one guest is rude to another. You can prepare for these common happenings by using a little good judgment. Set an extra plate, have an extra pie in the freezer and as you comfort the injured party mediate if you must but remember that often it is the less said the better and no matter who is in the wrong, both are guests in your home.
Your Thanksgiving dinner party can be a stressful event for you or you can take another approach and be relaxed and happy when you greet your guests at the door. No one is just automatically a good host or hostess, it takes planning and getting your priorities in the right order to plan a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner party.
