The Millennial Farmhouse

Thanksgiving Day can be exciting and overwhelming. It is both so exciting and overwhelming, that it is often a forgotten holiday. Thanksgiving Dinner takes some careful consideration and forethought that people often don’t know where or how to start. Sitting between Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving can get lost in a sea of end-of-the-year events. People move on from Halloween to Christmas so fast that Thanksgiving planning takes a backseat to holiday decorating and gift shopping. However, if you haven’t forgotten Thanksgiving, and you’re planning to host a dinner or family event, then share in the tips below. Here are some Preparation Tips to Host Thanksgiving Day Dinner. 

Plan the Dinner Menu in Early November 

Knowing what you want to make ahead of time can relieve your stress in planning the dinner menu. When you sit down to brainstorm dinner foods, you are giving yourself time to create complementary dishes. In addition, you allow yourself the opportunity to pre-shop and pay attention to food items that are on sale each week in November. You can buy the Thanksgiving dinner foods throughout the month, as needed, and in turn you can “stretch your dollar”  by not waiting until the last minute to get ingredients you need that are not on sale or are sold out. This is probably the most important preparation tip to host Thanksgiving Day dinner. 

Cook and Freeze Thanksgiving Meals Ahead of Time 

Someone told me this tip, and it may seem strange. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time and freezing it can cause heads to turn. It garners a pause and second or even third thoughts. However, it works for some, especially busy families. You can cook a few Thanksgiving side dishes about one or two weeks early whenever you are making your regular dinners. Keep the side dishes separate from your regular meals, and store them in the freezer. This preparation tip can seem like a lot at the moment. However, you are saving yourself time and stress on Thanksgiving Day. Instead of having to prepare every dish, decorate, and then sit down for dinner on Thanksgiving Day, all you’ll have to do is thaw and heat the foods you have already cooked and set aside. You can spend more of your Thanksgiving Day doing other activities instead of running around the kitchen all day. 

Do Not Invite More People Than You Are Comfortable Hosting 

“I know, I know!” Thanksgiving is a holiday for hosting and sharing and giving. You are supposed to count your blessings, spend time with family and friends, and help those in need. How can you do that if you are pouring from an empty cup? Thanksgiving is overwhelming. There is so much to do, and all for just one day, that most people push themselves to host on this day. When you bite off more than you can chew you are liable to choke. As nice as it is to extend a dinner invitation to as many people as you can, it is not prudent to do so. First and foremost, you have to take care of yourself and your family. Make sure that you all are comfortable. Thanksgiving is also about being comfortable in knowing that you have provided for your family and the year has been fruitful for your household. Then, after you secure your comfort, invite and host as many as you comfortably can and no more. 

Use Brown Kraft Paper to Set and Label Food Dishes Buffet Style 

This preparation tip to host Thanksgiving Day dinner comes from what I’ve seen on social media. You may not have a large table that can hold every food dish on Thanksgiving Day. Think about all the appetizers, main courses, and desserts you will have. In addition to that, think about the decor and place settings that you might put on your table. Even if you put out different dishes at different times, you can expect a full table when everyone sits down to eat. How about trying a buffet style layout? You can lay down brown craft paper on your counters and place the food dishes on top of the paper. Then, use a permanent marker to label each item on the craft paper. The brown craft paper can be used to decorate the counter, label the meals, and keep the kitchen counters clean for easier cleanup after dinner. In addition, you can save table space so everyone can sit and eat comfortably. 

Decorate Your Table with a Centerpiece 

Some people may not decorate on Thanksgiving Day, and that is okay. Some people do a full tablescape, like the ones you see on social media or at big events. However, if you want your Thanksgiving meal to feel different than every other meal at your table, try decorating with a festive centerpiece. A Thanksgiving Day centerpiece can complement your meal and it pays homage to the significance of the day. Treat Thanksgiving Dinner as a special day and do what you can to separate it from every other day. 

Prepare All Thanksgiving Desserts the Day Before 

Who doesn’t look forward to a sweet treat after a savory and fulfilling meal? A flavorful pie or your favorite spiced cookies can really end the evening on a high note, but only if the desserts have been given the same care and attention as the main course. Again, Thanksgiving is overwhelming! People spend all day in the kitchen making the main course that little things like desserts can fall to the wayside. To ensure this doesn’t happen and to save time in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day, you can prepare your desserts the day before. Most desserts can be made and stored ahead of time in the refrigerator or in an airtight container on the counter. When your school or place of business adheres to a half day schedule the Wednesday before Thanksgiving you probably use that extra time to clean and decorate or do some last minute food shopping. You can also use that time to make Thanksgiving desserts. Make the most of your hosting duties by ensuring that you have planned ahead for everything, which includes dessert! 

Provide Entertainment Options for All 

I think people watch some type of parade or a football game on Thanksgiving Day… I wouldn’t know because I don’t do those things. Do you? If so, then that is great for you. If not, then what do you do before and after the Thanksgiving meal, especially if you do not have talents in the kitchen? What do the children do? It is important to provide entertainment for all, and this preparation tip to host Thanksgiving Day dinner is often overlooked. The day is about more than just a great meal. It is about spending quality time with your family and friends. Bring out board games, playing cards, karaoke machines, or movies. On Thanksgiving Day, you can do family activities that you don’t often make time to do. Take the time to keep each other entertained and to hang out with each other. 

Do some of these tips seem familiar? Do you take these things into consideration every year? If not, then hopefully you will this year. I hope these preparation tips to host Thanksgiving Day dinner will help you. The most important takeaway is to plan and act in a way that lessens the overwhelm of hosting while still having a wonderful holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!