Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner

Whether you’re a first time home owner who’s ready to entertain in your new home, or you’ve entertained for the holidays before, planning for Thanksgiving dinner can be rather overwhelming!  If you’ve never hosted a family Thanksgiving before, then you will definitely want to keep reading. We’ve put together a simple guide with tips that will help you create a memorable Thanksgiving for all! 

Plan Your Meal Ahead.

When you start planning the meal options for your Thanksgiving dinner, you will want to consider some items that can easily be prepared ahead of time. There are many Thanksgiving dinner casserole ideas and desserts that can be made in advance, stored in the freezer and thawed out a couple of days before Thanksgiving Day.  

Also, don’t put off your shopping for the last minute! You don’t want to run the risk of the store being out of what you need.

Ask For & Accept Help.

Hosting Thanksgiving is a huge undertaking and your guests are so appreciative that you’ve risen to the occasion.  Don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice from others. It’s OK to lean on family and friends to help out with setting up and preparing the meal.  Divvying up the set up tasks can be a fun way for kids to help out. The meal prep time in the kitchen can be a great time for family members to gather together to prepare the meal and catch up on busy lives.  Everyone working together provides a great opportunity for everyone to reflect on family blessing and valuable time spent together around the holidays.

Be Considerate of Food Allergies.

This day in age, food sensitivities and allergies seem to be the norm in many families.  It’s a good idea to check in with your guests prior to your meal planning to determine what foods may pose a risk to your guests. Note the foods that may be harmful to those who suffer from allergies, and plan to have substitute meal items on your Thanksgiving dinner menu that are safe for those guests to enjoy.  

It is also a good idea to select simple recipes with minimal ingredients, or ingredients can be left out and optionally added when served.  

Have Entertainment For Guests. 

Have some options to keep guests entertained while you’re preparing the meal in the kitchen.  Holiday themed movies are a common favorite tradition for many families. Board games and interactive video games can also be a great way for guests to connect and enjoy each other’s company. Perhaps you have some music fans or singers in the group who will LOVE some karaoke?! Any of these ideas will surely make for an entertaining holiday! 

When it comes to hosting Thanksgiving it’s all about spending quality time with your loved ones, and making special memories. We hope that these tips will help you relax and enjoy a wonderful and memorable first Thanksgiving experience in your home sweet home!