We’re just two weeks away from the most stressful meal of the year: Thanksgiving. Sure, it’s usually delicious and everyone has a good time, but getting all that food to the table is definitely not easy. It takes a lot of careful planning and these hosting tips from event planners and experts can make the day as stress-free as possible.
- Confirm your guest list ASAP - You need to know exactly who’s coming so you can plan portions and know if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies while planning your menu. It’s tough to shop when you don’t know how many folks you’re feeding.
- Buy non-perishables ahead of time - Once you decide on your menu, start shopping for things like flour, canned goods, wine and spices early, like now, so you can avoid the stressful grocery store rush during Thanksgiving week.
- Family-style versus buffet-style - If you go with buffet-style, where dishes are set out on a separate table, you’ll have more room for centerpieces and candles. Going with family-style can make the meal feel cozier and more intimate, but the platters and serving pieces become the tablescape. Decide this now to figure out how much space you have and can plan ahead.
- Create a cooking schedule - Timing is the key to success on Thanksgiving. With all that food to cook, you need a schedule based on prep and oven time, and having cookware and dishware you plan to use for each item, as well as the recipe, can help keep you on track, too.
- Keep decor simple and natural - Don’t stress out over elaborate centerpieces, remember, less is usually more when it comes to the Thanksgiving table. Some small pumpkins, linen napkins and a little fresh greenery will elevate the table, but everyone’s there to eat and enjoy the company, so don’t overthink it.
- Create a purposeful kids’ table - Keep little ones happy and entertained by covering their table with butcher paper they can draw or write what they’re thankful for on while adults mingle and cook.
- Let your guests help - Just because you’re hosting doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. When someone offers to help, let them! Guests like to contribute, whether it’s bringing a side dish, setting the table, or washing dishes, and that helps you have more time for everything else.
Source: Martha Stewart