Thanksgiving is one of the most cherished holidays for many families, as it’s an opportunity to gather with not only your family but also your friends. Perhaps just as exciting as being able to spend time with your family and friends is the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal. From turkey to mashed potatoes to pumpkin pie— who doesn’t love these traditional Thanksgiving dishes?
However, as with any big event, planning Thanksgiving is no small task. This is especially true if you’re the one hosting the meal. To help you ensure that everything goes smoothly from the cooking to the decorating, here are some tips for planning the perfect Thanksgiving.
Create Your Guestlist
The first step is knowing exactly who you want to invite, and whether you have a dining table that is big enough to accommodate everyone. After all, even though we might love hundreds of people, we can’t realistically host all of them.
It helps to create a guest list that is realistic for not only your living space but also your budget. After all, food and preparation cost money and effort, so choose your guest list wisely. This will be your starting point for planning everything else.
Create a Menu
The next step is creating a menu full of all of the meals and ingredients that you plan on preparing. This won’t just help you with your shopping, but it will also ensure you don’t forget anything important. Make sure that you go over the menu with your guests, and encourage other family members to get involved if anyone is interested in a “potluck-style” Thanksgiving.
This can take a considerable amount of stress off of your shoulders, and ultimately create a loving and supportive Thanksgiving vibe where everyone does their part.
Prep in Advance
When it comes to big meals and events, prepping and advance are critical. This will help you minimize stress and ensure that you aren’t spending the whole day cooking, but also enjoying a little time with your friends and family. After all, if you leave all of the prepping to the last minute, you’re hardly going to be able to enjoy yourself. While you’re at it, list other family members to get involved too. If everyone does their part to help with a little preparation, then it will make everything go that much smoother.
Set the Table
There’s setting the table, and then there is “setting the table.” Thanksgiving is a time to set the table by creating a decorative space where everyone feels the holiday magic. Thoughtful table decor will make everyone feel that much more festive, and make the meal that much more fun and Thanksgiving-themed.
From candles to the right tablecloth, every little touch will make a world of difference In the overall setting and making your holiday feel special.
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