We help you have the best Thanksgiving, even if it’s your first time hosting.
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest family holidays of the yearand maybe the most delicious.
“There are a lot of details that have to be fairly synchronized.”
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If hosting a huge Thanksgiving feels overwhelming, it’s OK to skip it.
(you’re able to also brush up onThanksgiving Day factsbefore celebrating.)
Then, “start planning out simple things, like event flow,” suggests Lilly.
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Create a Menu
When creating a menu, go for recipes that are simple and trusted.
Write a grocery list, dividing it into perishables and nonperishables to make shopping and storing easier.
“Fill it in with when you will shop and when you will make certain dishes ahead.
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Also, add any pick-ups you may need to make or deliveries coming to the house.”
Purchase Your Turkey
Buy the bird as early as possible and freeze it.
You need one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey.
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If you’rebuying your turkey online, shop early to avoid low stock.
This will still leave you with a day’s worth ofleftover turkey.
To ease your burden, consider passing off dessert to a guest or a local bakery, suggests Lilly.
While you’re at it, order prepared hors d’oeuvre trays from the grocery store.
One more thing crossed off your list!
Do you have sufficient tableware, or is it time to buy anotherflatware set?
From there, ask people to help.
It’s not unreasonable to ask guests to bring a dishand often, they will offer it!
If it’s a household-only occasion, give every member a task.
They will appreciate having something they can easily put together."
Seat yourself closest to the kitchen and not necessarily at the head.
It’s best to split up couples for a livelier dynamic but keep small children between their parents.
And attempt to seat lefties at corners, where they’ll have room to eat without banging elbows.
Go Grocery Shopping
Consult your grocery list and get shopping out of the way.
(You may also avoid last-minute crowds at the store.)
verify you have fresh towels and linens on hand and that rooms are ready before guests arrive.
Try some of our simpletips for prepping your home for guestsyour friends and family will love the small details.
You may also want to check out this list ofguest room must-haves.
Do you have a turkey thermometer?
What about plates and silverware?
Now is the time to double-check your stock and buy any last-minute items you’ll need.
Start Cooking on Sunday
Here lies Phillips' secret to a stress-free holiday:make-ahead Thanksgiving dishes.
If it can’t be cooked in advance, maybe it can at least be prepared.
For example, potatoes can be washed and set aside, ready to peel and mash.
Make a schedule, and stick to it.
Most importantly, be ready up to an hour before guests are scheduled to arrive.
“Someone always arrives very early,” says Lilly.
“There’s nothing worse than the doorbell ringing while you’re in the shower.”
This means the table or buffet should be set, and the drinks should be chilled.
If you have an hour-long buffer, you’ll save yourselfa lotof scrambling.
Remove precious objects from the living room to save them from overly high-spirited kids.
Fill the bathroom with extra toilet paper and towels.
Finally, light a candle in the bathroomit’s just a nice touch.
Keep Food Warm
Heat pre-cooked food a few hours before the meal is served.
This will help stagger your time and space in the oven and stove.
You could alsobrine your turkeyto make it even juicier, and it’s an easy skill to master.
Since this is your first Thanksgiving meal, we’d advise against trying other turkey cooking methodslike deep-frying.
If something goes wrong, don’t panic.
Call a turkey-savvy friend or look into take-out options.
