Top 5 Tips for Hosting a Smooth Thanksgiving
by Jennifer Thayer
Playing host on Thanksgiving is an honor that comes with the potential for serious stress. While it’s true that you can’t please everyone all of the time it’s just so tempting to try. In the age of social media, picture perfection has become the goal, and celebration and togetherness can end up playing second fiddle. But the antidote to Thanksgiving pressure is surprisingly simple – just keep these five tips in mind as you plan your holiday.
Don’t overthink it
You may already be obsessing over seating arrangements and who is feuding with whom. It doesn’t help that you started seeing images of golden roasted birds, gorgeous pies and amazing tablescapes on Pinterest two months ago. Even if you feel the pressure to please, you don’t need to morph into Martha Stewart where the décor is concerned while simultaneously creating a Food Network worthy feast. When it comes to truly beautiful Thanksgiving celebrations what is on the table matters a lot less than who is seated around it.
Keep menus minimal
As much as you may be tempted to take your Thanksgiving menu in a new direction – Asian fusion! Cajun inspired! – most people come to the table expecting to enjoy traditional favorites. Improvise if you must but make sure turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce have prominent spots on the sideboard.
Ditto for drinks
When it comes to grownup libations, stick to easy to make upscale cocktails and a nice assortment of wines. The best martini will always be a classic one (here’s a recipe from Ketel One) and you can’t go wrong with a nice Beaujolais. For little ones, a choice between milk, juice and water will usually suffice or you can add a touch of class to the kiddie table with mocktails made from ginger ale over ice with a splash of cherry juice and topped with a maraschino cherry.
Think (& Do) Ahead
Ask yourself what you can prep in advance. Shop the week before to avoid the rush. Setting the table the night before may not be possible with little ones undoing your hard work, but perhaps dishware, napkins and flatware can be set out on the sideboard on Thanksgiving eve. Choose main and side dishes that can be prepared or even cooked in advance to minimize your time in the kitchen. If you’re crafting centerpieces or homemade flower arrangements do a test run the week before – and if you’re serious about creating a tablescape (versus just setting the table) do a test run of that, too.
Let guests contribute
When guests ask what they can bring don’t demure and say “Oh, just yourselves!” Ask each guest to bring a favorite side dish or dessert, and have anyone planning to arrive early bring the appetizers. That way you avoid some of the expense of Thanksgiving and you gain time that you can use to socialize with friends and family. It also adds a bit of excitement to the table because guests may bring wines, sweets and sides you would never think of making (or let’s be honest, buying) yourself.
Never forget that the goal is not to impress but to offer camaraderie, conversation and comfort to those who join you and your family at your Thanksgiving table. This is still a holiday for sharing gratitude with the people you care about, and party planning stress can make it hard to remember what you’re thankful for. Keeping the day simple, planning ahead and asking for help when you need it will not only make your Thanksgiving unfold more smoothly, but will also give you a chance to actually enjoy it this year.
About the Author: Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California. She is passionate about exploring new ways technology can be used to make day-to-day tasks easier. Follow her on Twitter
