*feature photo credit @Sara McConnell Photography
This year, in 2021, Thanksgiving is looking a bit different again as I won’t be hosting a crowd. We may even outsource our entire meal like we did at Christmas (I wrote about Thanksgiving take out for Savvymom!) But even if it’s a small group you are hosting, many of my tips below still work! Enjoy!
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Each year, for almost as long as I can remember being in our house, we have hosted Thanksgiving. Sometimes it’s been with Andy’s family, other times (most of the time) with mine. Not all of my siblings can always make it, depending on their spouse’s family events or work commitments, but either way, I have a turkey with all the trimmings and as many family members as possible show up (and we make our maple syrup cream pie!)
I love hosting, in all honesty. I like that the kids have their games and toys and space to play in. I love cooking in my kitchen, and there is always something special about people you love sitting around your table with plates full of food laughing and chatting (loudly, as is the case in my family.)
I get it, hosting can be stressful. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to help make things run a little more smoothly because being a hostess should also mean that you get to sit back and relax and join in the fun too!
How to host Thanksgiving Dinner without the Stress
Tip 1: The time you plan to eat is important if young children are around
If you are already a parent, you likely don’t need this tip, but it doesn’t hurt to remind ourselves of this, especially as our children get older, but, the time that kids sit down for dinner is critical. A 7 pm meal time for my kids, especially when they were younger, would have spelled instant disaster and stress. Instead, our family opts for an earlier food time. There’s not rush to get out, sleepy kiddos find a place to sleep, but ensuring full bellies is best for happy, extended visits.
Tip 2: Make sure that turkey is cooked – earlier is better
Make sure that turkey is going to be cooked earlier, rather than later. If the bird is ready at 4 pm but you aren’t going to sit until 5, it’s okay! However, if you plan to eat at 5 o’clock and end up watching that thermometer because it’s taking longer, the stress levels will rise!
Tip 3: Cook ahead what you can
There’s always something that can be made the day before, or morning of. In our case, my husband makes his coleslaw ahead of time, and we prepare the mashed turnips the morning of and switch them to a slow cooker when we want to get them warm and ready to serve. This saves us a lot of stress!
Tip 4: Potluck
Even if I wanted to cook the turkey at home (and enjoy the leftovers), there’s always something else I’m happy to have someone else to do – and my guests always offer. My dad’s stuffing can’t be beat so none of us want to even attempt it and he covers that. My sister and parents are bringing dessert this year so I only have to focus on the main course!
Tip 5: The dishes can wait
This tip won’t be accepted by some people. I understand. Staring at a counter full of dishes can be stressful. Enlist the team of guests to help load, wash and dry dishes if you prefer. However, in our case, we like to sit back with a glass of wine and relax, so we rinse what dishes need to be done right away, put food in the fridge and stack piles of plates off to the side. The dishwasher can go on later in the evening (or first thing in the morning, depending on how festive everyone is feeling).
Tip 6: BYOC (Bring your own Containers)
This is the rule in our family that if you want left overs, you bring your own container. This doesn’t always happen, and we see each other often enough that we swap dishes with great frequency, but ideally, we show up with containers. The joke is usually who brings a big one, or who is smart enough to bring separate containers for dinner food and dessert. This plan works though, because we always send people home with something, and by having containers ready, I don’t have to rummage through my good ones to part with them.
No matter who you host this weekend, remember to relax and enjoy it! The people you surround yourself with are thankful you are hosting and want to see you too 😉
Have any tips to share yourself? Drop them in the comments!
Bring your own containers! Excellent tip.
thanks 😉 applies for Christmas dinner too!
I also love hosting and I love having my family over! This year we’re having both my parents and in-laws over and my brother in law since my sister is away with work. So along with my crew, it will be a full house. My husband and I have the dinner down to a science now since we’ve been married 26 years! He gets the turkey and the sage and onion dressing done and I do all the sides! Our guests bring dessert because that’s not my favourite part! My tip is to share the work and remember everyone is there to enjoy being together on Thanksgiving! I love the tip about bringing their own containers too!
I hope you had a fantastic time! I love family get togethers!
Thanks for the tips! I also do much the same. I come from a small family and hubby’s immediate family is 20+ people! I’ve gotten used to hosting a larger groupgroup (I would really prefer a sit down dinner tho!) I too have found ways to make it easier. We are also responsible for the turkey and ham but the guests each bring a thing or two to add. Mostly sides and dessert. With so many people I’ve learned that buffet style is easiest. I put my table on one wall and leave the rest of the dining room open for milling. When it comes time to eat everyone must fend for themselves! We place chairs all over the main floor and anyone is free to sit wherever they’d like. The easiest part for me but also the most difficult to get used to is using disposable plates and cutlery. I just don’t have enough and being able to just it all out makes clean up even easier! The main thing that really helps me get through it all is a glass of wine or two 😉 Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
×toss it all out!
Nice tips