Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year: You eat delicious food with your friends and family and create memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. However, hosting Thanksgiving isn’t as carefree as attending a Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, it can become stressful if you don’t have any practical hosting tips under your apron. Fortunately, all of the Thanksgiving hosting tips you need can be found right here:
1. Check Your Oven Before the Big Day
You may think your oven is top-notch, but if you forget to check it, then go to cook the turkey only to find out it’s lacking heat, Thanksgiving won’t be a fun experience – for anyone. Always make sure your oven is in great working shape before the big day.
2. Pick a Theme
You may be wondering why you need a theme for Thanksgiving. After all, it’s all about the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. However, creating a fun and exciting theme will ensure that your holiday party is one that will never be forgotten. You could choose a turkey theme (with hilarious turkey decorations everywhere), a fall theme with beautiful foliage, even a football theme, or more, to excite your guests and keep the party fun.
3. Tune into the Football Games
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey. In fact, for some people, it can be just as much about football as it is about the delicious food and quality family time. Prior to the big day, make sure you have access to the major channels where the games will play so everyone who wants to can watch the game.
4. Set Up a Kid Corner
If you have little ones attending your Thanksgiving dinner party, it’s crucial to set up a kid corner. This should just be a designated area within your home for kids to play. Fill it with board games and movies, and this will keep the kids out of the kitchen (and your hair) while you cook up a storm. You could even distract the young ones with some crafts. All you need is some construction paper, kid-friendly scissors, crayons, coloring books, and glue (if you dare), and everyone will be happy and entertained. This customized play area will also likely prove to be a much better time for the little ones themselves.
5. Serve Pregame Appetizers
If you’ve ever made a turkey before, you know that scheduling dinner to be ready for 5 p.m. means that it will likely be ready for 6 p.m. at the earliest. So needless to say, you’ll want to provide some pregame appetizers to keep your guests from getting overly hungry. Since Thanksgiving is a full-day event in many cases, too, you’ll want to keep family and guests satisfied and happy the entire time. Consider light, but pleasing options, like veggies, chips, and cheese dip.
6. Cater to Kid-friendly Appetites
Kids tend to enjoy turkey dinner just as much as adults do. However, just as any parent knows, what they love today could change tomorrow. Fortunately, Thanksgiving usually consists of several different options, so everyone is bound to find something they like. You may want to speak with any parents attending your Thanksgiving prior to the day, just to make sure everyone gets food they want. Serving a platter of fresh fruit and vegetables is always a safe route, but be sure to include a variety of foods for every type of appetite.
7. Get Cozy by the Campfire
As everyone begins to wind down from the feast, consider taking the party outdoors. Fall is the perfect time for an outdoor campfire, and it can be an excellent way to finish off the night. Wow everyone by setting up a table for marshmallows, s’mores, and hot cocoa, and enjoy a relaxing end to your celebrations.
Lastly, sit down, enjoy, and be thankful for the loved ones who are here to spend Thanksgiving with you.