Hosting Thanksgiving is a huge undertaking. Between shopping for ingredients and getting your house ready for guests, your to-do list is likely a mile long. But don’t get overwhelmed: we have a few Thanksgiving hacks that will make hosting the big event much easier.
Ask for help. Just because you are hosting doesn’t mean that you have to do all the work. Potluck style meals work especially well on Thanksgiving, so feel free to assign guests with dishes, like sides or dessert. They will likely be happy to contribute to the meal. If you are having out of town guests who don’t have access to a kitchen, ask them to bring wine instead.
Do your shopping beforehand. There is nothing worse than running to the store the morning of Thanksgiving because you forgot to buy important ingredients. To avoid this, make an exhaustive list well in advance and put it somewhere that is easy to see, like the fridge. This way, if you did forget to list an item, you will likely realize it before the big day hits. Also, check your pantry before you shop. You may think you have ingredients that you don’t, such as herbs and spices, so you’ll want to add those to your shopping list.
Decorate. Decorating your home for Thanksgiving will instantly elevate the atmosphere. But don’t feel like you need pricey decorations- there are plenty of inexpensive options that make just as much of an impact. Try making a “give thanks” banner, or sprinkle silk leaves around the house to bring autumn indoors.
Turkey trick. Cooking the perfect turkey is perhaps the most stressful part of hosting the holiday. To make it easier, consider cooking the turkey overnight. It may sound crazy, but it really does work! This method doesn’t require you to wake up at 6 a.m., and it promises a tender and juicy turkey. However, when using this method you cannot stuff the turkey, so plan to serve it on the side.
Use your cooler. Your cooler can be a lifesaver during Thanksgiving, for a few different reasons. You can use it to free up fridge space by loading it with everyday items you don’t need for your Thanksgiving feast. Just pop the cooler in the garage, and you’ll have plenty of room for Thanksgiving dishes. Another option is to use it for drinks to keep guests out of the kitchen. Because it’s insulated, it would also work to keep hot dishes warm—just be careful not to melt the plastic.
Turn on your crockpot. Your crockpot is another tool you should utilize for Thanksgiving. Free up stovetop space by making mashed potatoes in your crockpot, or even use it for dessert.
Hosting can be stressful, but remember the holiday isn’t about the turkey-it’s about remembering what you are thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!