Simplify Thanksgiving: 5 Quick Tips for Stress-Free Hosting
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and for some of you, that also means hosting. The pressure to orchestrate a flawless Thanksgiving feast can be overwhelming. But there are simple things that you can do right now to set yourself up for success. And these tips aren’t just useful for Thanksgiving Day, but for any time you’re hosting a meal. Let’s discuss how you can make this Thanksgiving not only delicious but also delightfully uncomplicated.
5 Things To Do Before You Host A Thanksgiving Meal
- Set the schedule: Write out the Thanksgiving Day kitchen schedule, and post it where you can see it. Make sure to include every dish, when it needs to be prepped, when it needs to start cooking, and when it should be done. You may have this in your head or even written out on your phone, but it will be so much easier to check if you post it in a place where you can easily see it (especially without having to wash your hands).
- Set the table: If it’s not a perishable task, it’s best to do it in advance. You’ll have enough on your plate (pun intended) if you are cooking a Thanksgiving meal, so it’s great to get this task out of the way a couple of days ahead of time.
- Set the dishes: Similarly to the table, you should set out your Thanksgiving serverware dishes ahead of time. Trust me, that stuff is bulky.
- Set the scene: Now it’s time to label. Put post-it notes where the various dishes will go, especially if someone is bringing something. Denote which pieces of serverware will go with which dishes. Maybe even label some key ingredients in the fridge. The more you label, the more you can easily delegate.
- Set boundaries: The only thing worse than too many cooks in the kitchen is too many NON-cooks in the kitchen. For anybody not cooking, set clear boundaries indicating where they should not hang out, and where they should. If you have young kids, make sure to have designated adults who will entertain them and keep them out of your way. (And make sure these adults KNOW that that’s their primary job.) It might seem a simple thing, but a small conversation like this can go a long way to avoiding a stressful situation on Thanksgiving Day.
These are time-tested strategies that will simplify your preparations, leaving you more time to savor what’s most important—the joyous moments with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Check out more holiday organization posts like this one here!
