*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!
